Family and Child Intervention

Family and child intervention:

Child and family social work is often in the media spotlight. This is as it should be since social workers are at the forefront of providing help, support, robust quality assessments and public protection to children and their families who are struggling with a wide range of difficulties. Social workers  are employed in local authorities to assist, support and promote the welfare and rights of children and their families in often difficult and stressful situations and when necessary have to safeguard children, including taking children into care. This is only one possible setting and aspect of their work.

Meaning of Intervention in Social Work

Intervention is rarely defined. It comes from the Latin word intervenire, meaning “to come between, interrupt”.

Interventions are at the heart of everyday social interactions and make inevitably make up a substantial majority of human behaviour and are made by those who desire and intend to influence some part of the world and the beings within it. Social work interventions are purposeful actions we undertake as workers which are based on knowledge and understanding acquired, skills learnt and values adopted. Therefore, interventions are knowledge, skills, understanding and values in action. Intervention may focus on individuals, families, communities, or groups and be in different forms depending on their purpose and whether directive or non-directive. Social work interventions are selected on the basis of the issues, needs and strengths of the client. These are determined as a result of a psychosocial assessment conducted by the social worker. In initial meetings with the client, the social worker will obtain extensive information from the client in order to develop a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the client. The assessment will be used to develop treatment plan with the client, in which interventions, action steps and desired outcomes are specified. A time-frame will be established for each outcome, with means to measure the client's progress towards achieving his/her goals on a regular basis identified The overall term used to describe all activities by social workers on behalf of and in collaboration with their clients, including activities at the following levels of practice.

In social work, intervention refers to actions taken by social workers to directly provide service or support to at-need individuals. While removing a child from an abusive home is an example of a social work intervention, most interventions provide less dramatic means of giving support to people with health, education or financial needs.

Indian Family

The term family is derived from the Latin word ‘familia’ denoting a household establishment and refers to a “group of individuals living together during important phases of their lifetime and bound to each other by biological and/or social and psychological relationship.

Family may be broadly defined as a unit of two or more persons united by marriage, blood, adoption, or consensual union, in general consulting a single household, interacting and communicating with each other.

The Indian society is “collectivistic” in that it promotes interdependence and co-operation, with the family forming the focal point of this social structure.families are therefore, far more involved in caring of its members, and also suffer greater illness burden Indian families are more intimate with the patient, and are capable of taking greater therapeutic participation

Problems and prospects

Families in India are undergoing vast changes like increasing divorce and separation rates, domestic violence, inter-generational conflicts, social problems of drug abuse, juvenile delinquency etc. These changes indicate the inability to cope with the pressures of the modern life. Yet, the majority seem to have survived and are able to modify, adjust and adapt to changing social norms, values and structures, and have demonstrated a unique strength in keeping together despite the growing stress and strain.

PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN

Physical abuse

The WHO defines physical abuse as:

Intentional use of physical force against the child that results in – or has a high likelihood of resulting in – harm for the child's health, survival, development, or dignity. This includes hitting, beating, kicking, shaking, biting, strangling, scalding, burning, poisoning, and suffocating. Much physical violence against children in the home is inflicted with the object of punishing.

Sexual abuse

Child sexual abuse (CSA) is a form of child abuse in which an adult or older adolescent abuses a child for sexual stimulation. Sexual abuse refers to the participation of a child in a sexual act aimed toward the physical gratification or the financial profit of the person committing the act. Forms of CSA include asking or pressuring a child to engage in sexual activities (regardless of the outcome), indecent exposure of the genitals to a child, displaying pornography to a child, actual sexual contact with a child, physical contact with the child's genitals, viewing of the child's genitalia without physical contact, or using a child to produce child pornography. Selling the sexual services of children may be viewed and treated as child abuse rather than simple incarceration.

Psychological abuse

In 1995, The American Professional Society on the Abuse of Children (APSAC) defined it as: spurning, terrorizing, isolating, exploiting, corrupting, denying emotional responsiveness, or neglect" or "A repeated pattern of caregiver behaviour or extreme incident(s) that convey to children that they are worthless, flawed, unloved, unwanted, endangered, or only of value in meeting another's needs.

Neglect

Child neglect is the failure of a parent or other person with responsibility for the child, to provide needed food, clothing, shelter, medical care, or supervision to the degree that the child's health, safety or well-being may be threatened with harm. Neglect is also a lack of attention from the people surrounding a child, and the non-provision of the relevant and adequate necessities for the child's survival, which would be a lack of attention, love, and nurturing.

Child labour

The term “child labour” is often defined as work that deprives children of their childhood, their potential and their dignity, and that is harmful to physical and mental development. It refers to work that: is mentally, physically, socially or morally dangerous and harmful to children.

 Child trafficking

Trafficking is where children and young people tricked, forced or persuaded to leave their homes and are moved or transported and then exploited, forced to work or sold and Children are trafficked for sexual exploitation.

Child marriage

Child marriage is any marriage where at least one of the parties is under 18 years of age. Child marriage ends childhood. It negatively influences children's rights to education, health and protection. 

Children living in special circumstances

Children living in special circumstances, defined as those who are at risk of achieving poorer outcomes than their peers, have a particular need of good quality, accessible services to promote their health and well-being, yet may be least likely to receive them.

Children living in five kinds of special circumstances:

 (1) Those at risk of offending;

 (2) Teenage parents;

 (3) Children whose parents have drug, alcohol or mental health problems;

(4) Children living with domestic violence; and

 (5) Children who have been abused or neglected.

In practice, there is often considerable overlap between these groups, and many children face multiple disadvantage. The review also aims to identify effective strategies for making support services more accessible to hard-to-reach groups.

Emerging issues in the area of family and child welfare

Problems in families are multifaceted. Problems occur between parents and children. The children may complain of favouritism or over protectionism of parents and parents may observe disobedience or emotional outbursts as problems from children. Problems also occur between the spouses on issues, such as child rearing, life-style and duties towards in-laws. In some situations, families come across a major crisis not because of problems among its members, but due to events, such as death of a spouse or sudden retrenchment of job. Thus, the problems have multi dimensions. Since the problems in families are multifaceted, problems of any one member of the family may affect or influence other members also. So, the process of helping an individual entails the involvement of the entire family or, at least, those concerned with the problem. For example, most of the de-addiction centers treating alcoholic clients ask either the wife or parents to be present for the family therapy sessions. In some situations, Social work with families may go beyond the family system and may involve work with the immediate neighbourhood or the community at large. Let us take the case of a young wife whose husband had died of AIDS and who has to take care of three children. Social work with this family will involve screening the family members for HIV testing, mobilizing community resources, such as employment opportunity for the mother and subsidizing educational expenses for the children. Thus, the problems of families are multifaceted. Some of these problems are presented below. Though these problems are classified into categories for the sake of understanding, in reality, they exist as problems of the family as a system, and so, will affect everyone in the family. 

Problems Faced by Children in the Family System 

·       Some parents are overly protective and overly indulgent with their children. Such children get tied down with their parents and lose their individuality. 

·       In contrast, few parents are indifferent to their children. They may neglect them or may even reject them. This may alienate and estrange the children. 

·       Some parents verbally abuse children or punish them physically. When parents resort to punishment method often, the children become stubborn and aggressive. 

·       Some parents exhibit favouritism to one child at the expense of the other. Some parents resort to an equally unhealthy behaviour of comparing one child with the other and letting down that child. Favouritism and comparison may lead to low self-esteem in children.

·       Some parents are too authoritarian, while few others are too permissive. While Social Work with Family too much authoritarianism stifles the independence and autonomy of children, too much of permissiveness leads to indiscipline and lack of self-control. 

·       Some children come across parents, who are highly demanding. They want to push their children to greater heights in the field of education and career. These children are unable to cope with this kind of stress and develop anxiety and panic. 

Problems Faced by Parents in the Family System 

·       Many parents come across children, who are disobedient and stubborn. These children defy the norms, rules and guidelines of the family. Parents feel hopeless. Some parents, ultimately, give up to the demands of their children. 

·       As children enter adolescence, many parents experience difficulties in handling them. Biological changes that are associated with the onset of puberty and the associated emotional instability and heightened sexual feelings create ‘storms’ and stresses in the adolescents. Some parents are unable to cope with the sudden emotional outbursts of their adolescents and teenagers. 

·       Most of the adolescents develop peer group relations and are greatly influenced in their hobbies, dressing pattern and interests by the peer group. They gradually become independent from their parents. Many parents are unable to either accept or adapt to these changes. 

·       Some adolescents yield to infatuation and develop love affairs. Few of them even run away from their families. Such behaviours destabilize the family. 

·       In extreme cases, youth become victims of substance abuse and amoral sexual behaviour. The parents are thrown off the guard suddenly. 

     When the children  grow into adulthood, get married and leave the parents to start their own family, many parents experience the ‘empty nest syndrome’. 

·       Some children disown their parents in their old age due to various reasons, such as poverty, strained relationship within laws or property disputes. Their plight is very miserable if they do not get help from social support systems, such as Home for the Aged. 

 

Problems between Husbands and Wives in the Family System 

·       In some families, the spouses come across physical abuse and/or verbal abuse from one another. Verbal abuse is more common and equally hurting. Ultimately, it leads to the breakdown of communication and relationship.

   Husbands and wives come across conflicts based on interests, beliefs, values and priorities in life. Either one of them may try to force his/her ideas on the other. This leads to resentment and sometimes retaliation. 

·       Extra marital relations and the suspicion associated with it cause havoc in the family. Trust, love and concern one had for the other is shattered. It is replaced by distrust, suspicion, seething anger and vengeance. 

·       Some of the spouses come across permanent sexual difficulties by which they become incapacitated to gratify the physical needs of the other. The social stigma attached with sexual difficulties prevents the spouses to approach a family therapist 

or a medical practitioner and, thus, the problem remains unresolved

Role of Social Workers engaged in working with families and children

Facilitator: Social workers initiate their role by simply facilitating and encouraging family members to communicate. Sometimes, families have barely spoken to each other for months by the time they seek professional help. The social worker acts as a neutral third party, helping family members share their fears, concerns or disappointments in a non-confrontational way. Probes are designed to help families to discover the underlying causes of their problems. For example, if a child is misbehaving, it may not be because he disrespects his parents, but rather because he is troubled by the stress in his parents’ marriage. A social worker would help him articulate and vent these thoughts and disturbed feelings, so the entire family could discuss and understand perfectly that these are the disturbing factors hindering their peaceful living. 

Advisor or Guide: Social workers suggest immediate solutions, even if short-term, to help families work through problems or defuse potentially volatile situations. A social worker will often attempt to stabilize the family unit, including addressing individual members' issues, for interventions to be more effective. For example, if one family member has a serious drug or alcohol problem, the social worker may recommend undergoing or having a treatment facility before continuing with therapy. Or, if one family member has a mental illness such as depression or bipolar disorder, the social worker may advise him to visit a psychiatrist who can prescribe medications to help him manage his condition. 

Mentor: Social workers take up the role of a mentor and enable venting of mounted feelings that members face frequently or occasionally which disturb their peace of mind and peaceful living. Bottling up of feelings often results in undesirable consequences and hence channelizing them properly is one way to handle feelings and thoughts for behaviour to be rational and appropriate. Social workers also provide guidance and support for the members of the family for amicable living. 

Advocate: Social workers act as advocates and work on taking up the cause of their clients. They represent the client in different forms and advocate the benefit and well-being of the unit. During therapeutic sessions, they also take up advocacy roles for a particular member to represent his/her viewpoint that may play a crucial role in the dynamics of the therapeutic intervention. 

Catalyst: Social workers often act as catalysts in bringing about change in the family unit. The arguments placed, clarifications sought, communications held and therapies conducted all bring about a dynamic change process in the minds of the members for a decent, dignified, respected and peaceful living.  

Counselor: The social worker also takes up the role of a counselor, if need arises. The goal of family counseling is to help families create a home atmosphere where family members can communicate with and support each other through times of conflict, quarrel and disagreement with one another. A conflict can have many causes, including poor relationships, substance abuse, behavioral problems, or financial or work concerns. Conflicts can arise between parents and their children. They can also occur in the marriage. The social worker counsels the members and thereby enhances their family relationship. 

A social worker trained in working with families has a special skill set. The goal of a social worker is to be an objective guide for family members and help them understand their relationships and roles in the family. The family dynamics, or how family members relate to each other, will be carefully reviewed by the social worker. There is also a focus on communication patterns and behaviour patterns among family members which would be clearly studied and identified by him. Therefore, the social worker will work with the family to establish healthy patterns of communication, find appropriate ways to express frustration and anger, and set boundaries. 

Services in the field of family and child welfare

The actual roles and tasks undertaken by a child and family social worker will vary in breadth and depth depending on the setting in which he or she works, but will require them, at any one time, or  at different times in their careers as beginning or advanced practitioners, team leaders, senior managers to: 

·       Use their knowledge and skills to work ethically, collaboratively and creatively with community members, policy makers and service providers to support community capacity, personal and family resilience, earlier intervention and active citizenship. 

·       Social workers based in family centres or locality-based teams, or specializing in working with  groups of disabled parents or children; community team leaders, senior managers, are most likely  to undertake these roles, including providing support and advocacy to community groups, linking  community groups with statutory services, facilitating support or educative groups (including  parenting groups), researching community need, ensuring that accurate information and  signposting are easily accessible. 

·       Enable citizens to access the statutory social care and social work services by providing advice to which children, parents, wider kin and non-related careers are entitled, and signposting and helping them to make links to other service providers and sources of help. 

·       Social workers attached to or leading multi-disciplinary early help teams, or those providing first response and triage of referrals for a social work service or where there may be safeguarding concerns (sometimes referred to as Multi-Agency Safeguarding Hubs) 

·       In situations usually characterised by high levels of material, social, family and interpersonal complexity, risk and ambiguity, discharge the legal duties and promote the personalized social care ethos of local authority social care departments by: 

·       Working collaboratively with families as a whole and with individual children to directly provide or take a leading role in the provision of relationship based, flexible and creative emergency, short  term or long term supportive, advocacy, educative or specialist therapeutic services to assist in  recovery from, or managing better to live with, a range of material and emotional stresses and  traumas. Alongside a direct casework service this includes: 

·       Providing child-focused and rights-based assessments and reports for courts and other agencies such as hospitals or custodial establishments, immigration services.

·       Co-coordinating and leading multi-agency teams around children and families, child protection conferences, review and planning meetings, ensuring that these focus primarily on the child’s wellbeing and ensure that their views and those of their parents and the other adults who are  important to them are listened to and taken seriously.  

·       In collaboration with children, their parents, their careers and professionals from other disciplines and agencies plan, provide commission, support, supervise and provide therapy for children, parents and careers. This may include emergency, and, where necessary, short-term, and long term out-of-home care.