ZUnderstanding the Impact of Abuse and Neglect on Child Development in a Social Work Context

Target Group / Level

All social care staff across the people directorate who work with families

Course Overview

The focus of this course is on supporting practitioners and their managers to confidently and effectively understand the impact of abuse and neglect on a child’s development in social work assessments. Using evidence and research based knowledge, the participants will be able to apply their enhance understanding to practice. They will be equipped to effectively identify and articulate both verbally and in writing what they have observed, when this presents a risk to the safety and well- being of the child and when to seek the advice of other professionals.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of workshop participants will : 
• Have an improved understanding of key developmental processes from infancy to adolescence and maturity. 
• Be able to recognise patterns of abuse and the impact on the overall development of the child, including emotional wellbeing, and how to apply this when undertaking social work assessments. 
• Understand the role of other agencies and be aware of when to seek expert opinion or support. 
• Have explored and understood themes from case reviews which link abuse and neglect with development. 
• Understand the impact of delay from an organisational/process and parental capacity to change perspective. 
• Know how to analyse information and form a professional judgement within a risk assessment context, and social work and legal care planning processes. 
• Know how to effectively record observations and professional concern in case notes and court reports 
• Be able to link practice to the knowledge and skills for approved child and family practitioners