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The course will provide a broad overview of the three main phases of child welfare: the investigative phase; the solution-based phase; and, the statutory systems of care that are provided for children. Students will be introduced to research and literature pertaining to child care and protection from an international and New Zealand perspective.
Students will be introduced to theory and research surrounding child care and protection in the context of family welfare. Child protection systems are examined, using New Zealand and international perspectives. The course focuses on a care-and-protection framework based on a process of three phases: engagement and assessment, solution seeking, and securing safety and belonging.Child protection practice is a major area of work for the human services. Thousands of children are brought to the attention of child protection services each year. Specialist law provides the means through which concerns for children can be investigated by the State. Both voluntary and statutory systems of care are provided for children. This course provides a broad overview of the ways in which the family and the state attempt to address the issue of children's safety and well-being, and a critical analysis the care options that are offered. Goals:• To provide an introduction to research and literature pertaining to child care and protection theory and practice from an international and New Zealand perspective.• To examine the Children, Young Persons, and their Families Act (1989) and its implications for children and families in New Zealand.• To explore ways in which the State attempts to find solutions to child care and protection issues, including the controversial system of Family Group Conferencing.• To examine the systems of statutory care for children, including foster care, kinship care and residential care.
On the successful completion of the course, the student will have:A sound grasp of the complex dynamics of child abuse and neglectKnowledge to account for how child care and protection issues have been addressed historicallyAn appreciation of key influences on New Zealand’s child protection systemAn ability to discuss child care and protection issues across a range of contextsAn ability to debate the relevance of theory, legislation, international conventions, and policy to the child care and protection context
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attributes specified below:
Critically competent in a core academic discipline of their award
Students know and can critically evaluate and, where applicable, apply this knowledge to topics/issues within their majoring subject.
Employable, innovative and enterprising
Students will develop key skills and attributes sought by employers that can be used in a range of applications.
Biculturally competent and confident
Students will be aware of and understand the nature of biculturalism in Aotearoa New Zealand, and its relevance to their area of study and/or their degree.
Engaged with the community
Students will have observed and understood a culture within a community by reflecting on their own performance and experiences within that community.
Globally aware
Students will comprehend the influence of global conditions on their discipline and will be competent in engaging with global and multi-cultural contexts.
30 points from HSRV101, HSRV102, HSRV103, HSRV104, SOWK101, SOWK102 and SOWK104. Students without this prerequisite but with at least 60 points in appropriate courses may enter the course with the permission of the Programme Coordinator.
Yvonne Crichton-Hill
Learn Academic Integrity Guidance for Staff and Students Referencing for Social Work & Humans Services Using EndNote for referencing Writing guides for Social Work & Human Services Library guides
Where to post assignments:Online as advised and/or the Essay box on the ground floor (level 1) of the Psychology-Sociology Building in the slot on the wall that designated for this course. It is important to ensure you understand whether a hardcopy is required, so check your instructions for every submission. All submissions require our coversheets.Where to collect marked assignments:Online as advised or from your Tutor/Lecturer.
Domestic fee $761.00
International fee $3,188.00
* All fees are inclusive of NZ GST or any equivalent overseas tax, and do not include any programme level discount or additional course-related expenses.
For further information see Language, Social and Political Sciences .