WOULD you like to work with children as a Social Worker or Child Protection Officer? Many say they would, and proceed to attend College and University to earn degrees and diplomas, enabling them to secure their desired positions. They may enter the profession fresh from learning, and aspire to climb the ladder one day to a more prominent position.

But acquiring accolades and fulfilling a desire is the easy part. Working with children and families is not a walk in the park; many vulnerable and abused children need help, advice, and maybe even a shoulder to cry on. It is a job that requires tact, determination, and a genuinely caring personality.

Some people develop empathy and a caring personality through experience. They may have survived years of trials and tribulations, which build their resolve, resilience and emphatic nature. They know how to interact and communicate with people from a place deep within; one of humanity and concern. Others are born with the natural urge and ability to help those in need.

Officers who intend to help people and heal families must hone these skills, including reverence and patience with clients. Such qualities are necessary, not to camouflage one’s true feelings about the job and the client’s situation, but because genuine virtues are needed to reach out to and help clients. In addition, workers must be flexible in their approach, and able to communicate with each client on their level.

Building good ‘people skills’ does not happen overnight. Regardless of the number of diplomas achieved, and hours worked in a public-facing role, if a worker cannot put him or herself in the client’s shoes and communicate appropriately, the objective, which is to help children and families, is lost.

Communication skills involve greeting people respectfully, making eye contact, effective listening without interruption (except for clarification of a point), asking only relevant questions (and not those that spring from personal curiosity), and giving consideration to matters raised and avenues to explore.

When children and families need help, they rely on qualified officers to solve their problems with trustworthy advice and support. They don’t need someone unhappy in their role who greets them with an unwelcoming demeanour, or an officer with little or no interest in them or their outcome, who fobs them off without due attention and consideration.

Officers need to be a solution-orientated when dealing with clients. The ability to not wallow in present problems, and efficiently seek solutions saves time. Common courtesy skills with the human approach will make clients feel assured that help is on the way. Officers must not fall short, but extend themselves where necessary with follow-up and feedback to clients.

A public servant helping vulnerable or abused children and their families must have a positive and open-minded attitude; they must process information carefully before making assessments and reaching decisions. A child’s future can hang in the balance while families and the Officer work together to achieve a suitable conclusion to a case.

In most instances, there are several factors to consider when sorting out families and children. Other agencies and establishments may need to be involved, eg. the school, the police, religious bodies, medical professionals, and legal representatives. All organisations and families need to collaborate and work together to protect the child, and for a successful outcome.

At times, officers may need to think on their feet to protect children and make decisions that will be later reviewed, such as removing a child from their family home and placing them in foster care. It is a traumatic experience for all involved, but the safety of children and the child’s best interest must be at the heart of choices made on their behalf. It is never easy to separate children from their loved ones, but the law states that children at risk must be protected.

Lastly, those who wish to work in this field must find their ‘centre’, and maintain balance in their life and lifestyle. Suppose officers carry unresolved emotional issues from their childhood, live with a violent, abusive partner, or are in any other dysfunctional circumstance? These burdens can affect and shape their work and decision-making skills. Their home life need not be perfect, but should be sufficiently stable to reflect their ability to work without bias, and with compassion and respect for those they seek to help. Their personal and emotional problems should not be brought to the workplace.

Practising mindfulness or meditation will help to relax the mind. Reflecting, and self-evaluating one’s performance is taught in the curriculum. Officers should ask themselves occasionally: How did I do today? Did I do my best to help others? How do I feel about my approach? Could it be improved? Where could I have done better or learnt more?

Officers will encounter cases that keep them awake at night and consume their thoughts if they do not learn how to manage their workload, and when to switch off, wind down and relax. A public-service role brings a variety of people from different backgrounds to officers daily, each one with a problem they need to solve. Whether they are the first clients of the day or the last, they must be greeted with humility, respect and concern. Do you have the heart to do a job like this? A high level of commitment is required for the role.

If you are concerned about the welfare of a child, call the CPA hotline on 227 0979 or write to us at childcaregy@gmail.com
A MESSAGE FROM THE CHILDCARE AND PROTECTION AGENCY,
MINISTRY OF HUMAN SERVICES AND SOCIAL SECURITY