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How can a strengths approach increase safety in a child protection context?

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  29 February 2016

Di O’Neil
Di O’Neil*
Affiliation:
St Luke’s Anglicare, PO Box S15. Bendigo. Vic 3552, Email: d.o’neil@stlukes.org.au
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Abstract

Child protection is one of the most difficult fields for social welfare professionals to work within. Being an enabler on one hand and an agent of social control on the other, can create a dichotomy that leaves practitioners feeling like they need a different set of skills to do each component. Maybe a strengths approach framework can provide the link between the two. A strengths approach is greater than a set of strengths-based tools. It is a way of conceptualising the organisation and delivery of child protection services. This article expresses the current views of a practitioner with 37 years experience in the child and family welfare field.

Information

Type
Current perspectives…
Information
Children Australia , Volume 30 , Issue 4 , 2005 , pp. 28 - 32
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2005

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References

Cousins, C. (2005) ‘The “rule of optimism”: Dilemmas of embracing a strength based approach in child protection work’, Children Australia, Vol. 30, No. 2.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
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McCashen, W. (2004) Communities of hope. Solutions Press, Bendigo.Google Scholar
O’Neil, D. (2004) Shaping the future practice framework, Commonwealth Government, Office of the Status of Women, Canberra.Google Scholar