MSSA (Minnesota Social Service Association)’s Post

The Delicate Balance: Schools, Social Workers, and Child Protection. The tension inside social care and child protection is enormous and set to grow as local authorities change delivery models in the future - once again to meet budget issues. A recent survey and article by Community Care publication https://lnkd.in/eaGkcr9M shed light on a tension that's been growing - the fine line between the roles of social workers and schools - in particular DSLS & other staff in pastoral roles In my experience schools are increasingly finding themselves in situations where they're stepping into roles traditionally held by children's services and social workers. This shift, while born out of necessity and experience in supporting our children, brings to the surface an essential question: How much should educational settings engage in social work responsibilities? The answer is not straightforward. The challenges schools face in this dynamic are multifaceted, stemming from resource constraints, time, teaching responsibilities the vastness and complexity of the jobs schools are now taking on. The frustration and anxiety between schools and social care is clear and difficult to see. it's crucial to acknowledge the sentiments of our social workers in this dialogue. They feel a profound sense of responsibility and, often, frustration at not being able to provide the level of support they know is needed. Their expertise and dedication to child welfare are invaluable, yet systemic limitations often hamper their efforts to collaborate effectively with schools. As we navigate these challenges, it's imperative that we foster a dialogue that bridges the gap between schools and social work. It's about finding a sustainable ideas for better communication that leverages the strengths of both sectors for the ultimate benefit of our children. The goal is clear - to ensure a holistic support system that addresses not just the educational, but also the social and emotional needs of our children. But how do we get there? It starts with conversations like these. It's about pooling our collective expertise, resources, and compassion to forge a path forward that honors the roles of both schools and social workers, without compromising on the welfare and safeguarding of our children. Let's open up the floor - what are your thoughts and experiences in this critical area of child welfare? How can we better support our schools and social workers in this collective mission? If you are in the South West and a members of South West Association of Special School Leaders (SWALSS) I’m leading a panel discussion with leaders from all fields including National Star and Local Gov Ombudsman around this on 27/2 … all ideas will be found in www.dslstogether.co.uk and through SWALSS. #ChildWelfare #EducationUK #SocialWork #Safeguarding #CommunityCare #schools #childprotection #headteachers #scholleaders #socialworkers

Attention all Schools of Social Work and Social Workers (LinkedIn, help me tag schools and individuals <3) I am writing to enthusiastically recommend the inclusion of Charity Chandler-Cole's remarkable book, "Stranger Danger," in the curriculum of your School of Social Work. This deeply poignant and personal account sheds light on the profound harm suffered by children within the foster care and juvenile justice systems, often at the hands of individuals who outwardly appear trustworthy. Incorporating this book into your curriculum would be a transformative step towards educating your students about the critical issues within the child welfare and social justice realms. Charity Chandler-Cole's courageous narrative powerfully brings to the forefront the hidden struggles and vulnerabilities of children within these systems. Her lived experiences and storytelling skills make "Stranger Danger" an invaluable resource for several reasons: • Personal Perspective: The book provides a unique firsthand perspective that is not easily found in academic literature. Charity Chandler-Cole's story serves as a compelling catalyst for students to deeply empathize with the experiences of children in foster care and the juvenile justice system. • Trust and Vulnerability: By revealing the betrayal of trust by seemingly reliable figures, the book underscores the importance of assessing and nurturing the emotional well-being of children under the care of social workers and institutions. It emphasizes the responsibility of social workers in creating safe environments for vulnerable youth. • Critical Analysis of Systems: "Stranger Danger" prompts critical reflection on the child welfare and juvenile justice systems. It encourages students to explore systemic issues and question the efficacy of current practices, fostering a commitment to reform and advocacy. • Ethical Considerations: Chandler-Cole's narrative raises ethical questions about the role of social workers, their accountability, and the need for ethical guidelines to protect children's rights and well-being within these systems. • Inspiration for Change: The author's journey from adversity to advocacy serves as a powerful source of inspiration. It encourages students to recognize the potential for positive change within the field of social work. By incorporating "Stranger Danger" into your curriculum, your School of Social Work can demonstrate its commitment to providing a comprehensive and socially responsible education. This book will empower your students to become compassionate, informed, and proactive advocates for the vulnerable populations they will serve in their future careers. I am confident that integrating "Stranger Danger" into your curriculum will have a profound and lasting impact on the education and development of your students. If you require any further information or assistance in facilitating this inclusion, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at [email protected]

What do you think about the formation of a Children's Rights Section of the King County Bar Association? Since returning from London, where I obtained my master's in social justice and education, I have been thinking about how to find purpose that would put my experiences and education to use. In a circuitous fashion, I have come to believe that our community could benefit from a Children's Rights Section of the King County Bar Association. Children's education has been a consistent focus and passion throughout my adult life and legal career. And, as with many, it has been a constant source of frustration. For me, that frustration has often centered on access to special education for children with disabilities - and the general lack of understanding of what those rights include. But this is only one area where the complexity in upholding children's rights is at play. Beyond education, children's rights could include: dependency, health care, juvenile crime, foster care, welfare, Indian Child Welfare, civil rights, to name a few. When I have attempted to wrap my mind around all the local people, agencies and organizations that are engaged in children advocacy, it quickly reveals a vast web - with incoherent access. This begs several questions: Where do children advocates and attorney's go for relevant professional education, cross-organizational advocacy and maybe most importantly, community? Where can parents and guardians go to get information and referrals? A King County Bar section, including both licensed attorneys and legal advocates, could create a local umbrella that could well serve all those purposes. I have contacted the KCBA and they are interested in the formation of new bar sections. I am posting here because I am interested in hearing other's ideas and interest around this proposal. Please let me know, and share this with others in your network who work in children's advocacy.

Ever wonder exactly how being in the foster care system affects an individual's ability to get an education? Navigating the foster care system AND the education system can seem like a maze of red tape, meetings, and legal documentation. Check out this succinct article summarizing youths' educational rights in the child welfare system. A key aspect of Pivotal's coaching program is helping youth understand their rights, and pointing them towards the appropriate resources that they'll need to determine their own paths!

How can foster parents and child welfare professionals help youth in foster care develop life skills? Read our study here: https://rdcu.be/djucN Take-home points: More training, support, and funding are needed for caregivers and child welfare professionals. Issues in child welfare, including staff retention and turnover must be addressed to support the development of youths' life skills.

Our trauma-informed strategy for care management of youth involved in foster care facilitates communication between child welfare, providers and parents to foster cohesion in service delivery and improve quality of care. https://uhc.care/ey8gnm

How the children’s social care reforms will affect inspection – Ofsted Social Care Blog https://lnkd.in/eBvRWkP9 Ofsted have released a blog today responding to the publications of a number of documents from the Department of Education in the last few days. Specifically, they discuss The National Framework and Children’s Social Care Dashboard, Working Together to Safeguard Children  and the Kinship Care Strategy. They are aware Local Authorities, Safeguarding Partners and Relevant Agencies will be interested in how Ofsted will inspect in the coming months, while these changes are happening. They emphasise that their inspections of local authority children’s services have always focused on the progress and experiences of children and families and that will not change. They will continue to inspect against their framework, rather than any individual guidance. Their overall definition of good has not changed. However, they will be re-balancing ILACS to reflect the reforms but this will be about language and emphasis rather than wholescale change. The recent publications set out how the early implementation of the reforms will work. The documents linked to Social Care Reform can be found here https://lnkd.in/eRCqBNwp