Topic: The comparison of Child protection models from abuse and neglect between the United Kingdom and Belgium

Details:

I have to compare the protection models of child maltreatment between the UK and Belgium.

Overview:

This module examines the relationship between the family and the state with regard to the welfare and protection of children. We analyse the significance of social and cultural constructions of childhood for the formation of normative parenting practices around the world and the complexities of establishing consensus as to what constitutes child maltreatment that arise from these constructions. We consider structural and ecological explanations for the incidence and recognition of child maltreatment as well as individual and familial risk factors for child maltreatment. We discuss the appropriate role of the state in supporting parenting and in compulsory intervention in private family life. We compare different models of child welfare and child protection services and of alternative care arrangements for children who are unable to be cared for by their birth parents. We address specific issues of current contention or international concern, such as child labour, child sexual exploitation and forced or early marriage. Throughout the module our focus is on the promotion of the best interests of the child through the prevention and identification of child maltreatment; understanding the effects on the child; and consideration of appropriate legal, policy and professional interventions and treatment.

Aims and learning outcomes

By the end of the module you should:

1 Have a sophisticated knowledge and understanding of the contexts in which child maltreatment is likely to occur;

2 Understand the significance of different socio-cultural and national contexts to the identification of and professional and societal responses to child welfare and protection;

3 Have developed an analytical and critical approach to child welfare and protection issues in a range of academic and professional disciplines;

4 Be able to research within a range of academic disciplines, to synthesise different sources of data and argument in relation to child welfare and protection, including from disciplines outside your primary area of expertise, and to communicate these effectively in writing.

5 Be able to undertake comparative analyses of the strengths and weaknesses of different systems of family support and child protection services around the world.

I chose to compare Belgium-that has a health-based system- and the UK.

Assessment:

In no more than 6,000 words, compare an aspect of the systems or arrangements for the protection of children from maltreatment in TWO countries, legal jurisdictions or regions. Consider the strengths and weaknesses of each model and suggest proposals for reform.

Examples: comparison of the adoption systems of the USA and UK; comparison of early intervention arrangements in two East Asian nations; consideration of the legislation justifying state intervention to remove children from their birth families in two European jurisdictions; comparison of social and/or cultural attitudes to extra-familial adoption of children in two regions of the world.

No# of Pages: 24 pages (6,000 words)

Paper Style: APA

No# of Sources Required: 30

Language: English (U.K)