Social Work Specialization
Child welfare social work is a field in the social work that ensures that the needs of the children, adolescent, and their family members are addressed. Thus, child welfare in social work enables safeguarding children’s wellbeing, ensuring that children grow in a sound environment where they can develop socially, mentally, and physically (NASW, n.d.). Child welfare was developed primarily to ensure children’s rights are safeguarded and that children receive the care they deserve. Additionally, the child welfare field in social work was created to protect children from abuse and neglect, enabling them to grow in healthy environments. Several factors led to the development of child welfare social work. One of the factors that led to the development of child welfare practice is an increase in cases of parents physically and sexually abusing their children. Also, an increase in cases of neglect influenced the development of children and family social work. Many cases of children neglect were reported prompting the development of children’s welfare programs.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Children Welfare
Child welfare services have several advantages, including protecting children’s interests and enabling them to develop in sound environments. Child welfare services have helped many children who were being abused by their parents (van Bijleveld et al., 2015). Additionally, child welfare services have positively changed the lives of children and their families, enabling them to lead better lives. Although child welfare services have several advantages, it has limitations. The foster home system is flawed as some children end up being sexually and physically abused by their foster parents. Moreover, some families may over depend on children’s welfare programs, inhibiting them from being self-reliant. However, child welfare services have significantly influenced social work, as children’s welfare has been safeguard. Many children have been rescued from abusive families, helping them to live better lives.
References
National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.). Specialty practice sections. Retrieved August 10, 2012, from http://www.naswdc.org/sections/
van Bijleveld, G. G., Dedding, C. W., & Bunders‐Aelen, J. F. (2015). Children’s and young people’s participation within child welfare and child protection services: A state‐of‐the‐art review. Child & Family Social Work, 20(2), 129-138.