SOCIAL WORKER'S USE OF THE COURT (FROM CHILD ABUSE INTERVENTION AND TREATMENT, 1975, BY NANCY B EBELING AND DEBORAH A HILL - SEE NCJ-32566)

• NCJ Number: 48065
• Author(s): S E FAY
• Date Published: 1975
• Length: 5 pages
• Corporate Author: Publishing Sciences Group, Inc
• Publication Format: Document
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS FACED WITH THE DECISION TO TURN TO THE COURTS IN DEALING WITH SERIOUS SITUATIONS OF NEGLECT OR ABUSE IN CLIENT FAMILIES ARE OFFERED.

Abstract

THE DISCUSSION FOCUSES ON THE ATTITUDES OF THE SOCIAL WORKER, EMPHASIZING THAT THE DECISION TO BRING A SITUATION TO THE ATTENTION OF THE COURTS SHOULD BE VIEWED AS A MEANS OF HELPING PARENTS AND CHILDREN INVOLVED IN SERIOUS NEGLECT OR ABUSE PROBLEMS. THE NEED FOR THE DECISION TO BE A FIRM ONE IS STRESSED, AND THE POSSIBILITY THAT THE FAMILY WILL RESPOND NEGATIVELY IS POINTED OUT. SOCIAL WORKERS ARE URGED TO EMPHASIZE THE REASONS FOR THEIR DECISION TO THE PARENTS AND NOT TO PUT OFF INITIATING COURT ACTION WHEN IT IS CLEARLY INDICATED. EXAMPLES OF SITUATIONS IN WHICH COURT ACTION IS APPROPRIATE ARE CITED. INCLUDED ARE SITUATIONS THAT INVOLVE THE CONTINUING EMOTIONAL DEPRIVATION OF THE CHILD, AS WELL AS INTRACTABLE SITUATIONS OF PHYSICAL ABUSE AND/OR NEGLECT. IT IS NOTED THAT, WHEN A FAMILY SITUATION IS BROUGHT TO THE COURTS, PARENTS AND CHILDREN SHOULD HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO BE REPRESENTED BY SEPARATE ATTORNEYS WHO CAN CONSIDER THE TOTAL FAMILY SITUATION AS WELL AS THEIR INDIVIDUAL CLIENTS. (LKM)