Importance Of Listening To Children

2552 Words6 Pages

The milieu of child protection comprehends some of the most emotionally charged series of social work practice (Mills, 2011). Social workers have to listen to children and young people on matters that affect them; some of these events may be too powerfully emotive for the professional to contain. This essay describes and assesses the significance of listening to children and young people on matters that affects them in practice. Key definitions of childhood will be considered in the first part because the meaning is culturally laden. The second part will be used to analyse the meaning and origin of listening to children, including its different types and barriers. The social worker’s interpretation of listening and the young person’s interpretation of listening will be critically examined. The essential tools of listening and why it is important to truly hear children will be analysed highlighting the effectiveness of the current policy and statute in practice of safeguarding children and young people within Britain. First it is vital to discuss the concepts of childhood and listening. Childhood is a highly contested model because its meaning and interpretation varies from person to person as it is influenced by cultural-heritage, family-background and experiences (Alderson, 1995). For instance, the United Nations’ Convention on Rights of the Child (1989) defined children as everyone under the age of eighteen. Additionally, the United Nations International Children's Emergency Fund (2005) postulated that the period of childhood is a special period during which a child should learn how to live and survive the world through schooling, playing, as they grow strong and develop their confidence with the affection and support fr... ... middle of paper ... ...gthening the focus away from processes and onto the needs of the child (HM Government, 2013). In conclusion, social workers have a professional duty to safeguard and protect children; this can only be achieved if they maintain professional boundaries with all parties involved and work effectively with other professionals to ascertain this goal. Social worker’s have the responsibility to find a medium through which to reach the child, as opposed to the child establishing this. Social workers should always challenge any concerns they may have about a vulnerable child because that little step may lead to saving a life. True listening to children has the potential to produce positive outcomes for children because as it empowers them to influence decisions that affect their lives rather than being passive recipients of services, which may have tragic consequences.

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