Course Description
This course introduces the knowledge and skills for child and youth care workers practicing in child protection settings. Students will learn to apply skills in the areas of investigative interviewing, documentation, applying practice standards and report writing. This course approaches the field of child protection from a strengths-based perspective and explores a range of alternative dispute mechanisms available in child protection. This course examines the principles of social justice and the challenges in child welfare practice with First Nations children, families and communities.
Course Content
The following global ideas guide the design and delivery of this course:
- An examination of current issues in child protection should include an exploration of personal and professional values
- Child and youth care practice in child protection includes an ecological and strengths-based perspective
- Child welfare practice is based on guiding principles that contain value statements and assumptions about the needs of children, youth and families. As child and youth care workers examine these values and assumptions, they develop an understanding of the meaning of their work, an ability to evaluate current policy and an informed opinion from which to engage in the change process
- Given the legacy and impact of colonization, many Aboriginal individuals and families experience a sense of grief and loss. Recognition of the impact of loss on Aboriginal peoples is a starting place for working with individuals and families. Culturally appropriate practices and approaches to wellness provide a sense of hope and help individuals and families discover new possibilities for the future
- Child and youth care practitioners work in and with a variety of systems that include Aboriginal and mainstream services. An understanding of relevant systems and an ability to collaborate with other systems is an essential aspect of effective practice
- Effective practice includes a working understanding of applicable laws and policies related to child protection
Means of Assessment
This course will conform to Douglas College policy regarding the number and weighting of evaluations.
Typical means of evaluation may include a combination of written research assignments, case evaluation, testing, and group presentations. This is a Graded Course.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
- Clarify own beliefs, values and attitudes in the professional role as a child protection worker
- Critically reflect upon the characteristics of law, policy and social justice in CYC practice
- Articulate and understand the historical and present day impacts of child welfare practice with Aboriginal children, youth, families and communities
- Demonstrate the process of investigative interviewing and documentation in child protection
- Demonstrate the skills of giving evidence in a legal setting
- Apply a continuum of alternative dispute resolutions in practice situations.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and Materials to be Purchased by Students
TBA