Multidisciplinary perspective in children services (Essay Sample)

Multidisciplinary in children services Name Institution Introduction Interdisciplinary working entails the combination of ideas which are from different fields of study; they help in the viewing of a problem from a new dimension which can be used to find a solution to the contemporary situation that is the problem at hand. Multidisciplinary working in children service started in the second half of the 20th century and kicked off entirely in the 21st century. Various changes in legislation have taken place in the previous years. It got prompted by extreme cases such of Victoria climbe and Stephen Lawrence (Justus et al., 2006). Inquiry team put in place came up with various recommendations, and some got implemented into policies and legislations .Local authorities work hand in hand with these multidisciplinary teams. They have strategies in place to help them efficiently perform their duties with less friction between each other (Justus et al., 2006). These professionals usually have very high ideals and always work towards the best interest of the child. Multidisciplinary working has helped in the sharing of information between different agencies enhancing the provision of quality children service. Development of Multidisciplinary Working The origin and continuous change of professional teams that address child neglect and abuse started in mid-1970.The need of association between agencies that enforce the law , therapists and social workers was evident. The differing perspectives on objectives prompted the development of a legal relationship. In 1988, Ray Larson, a commonwealth attorney was asked to review child abuse cases handled in the county of Fayette. He also wanted to develop a multidisciplinary team model for investigation, intervention and prosecution of child abuse cases. The team was set to review the cases in Fayette County of child abuse put into place (Macdonald et al., 2005). Board of directors was established and incorporated in the children advocacy center. Bluegrass child support center first opened its doors in 1994; it had one staff member that is the executive director. Later on, a physician came to Fayette County and started performing child sexual abuse exams at this center. An advocate was hired to work with the family of the victims. In 2001, a medical clinic coordinator was also hired to assist the medical staff. Adverse economic and health consequences of child maltreatment,prompted by severe cases of child abuse,such as sexual assault, child neglect, physical violence and murder within the society. (Macdonald et al., 2005). The child murder case of Victoria Climbe, who died at eight years old. Victoria's parents allowed her from to go to a Shantytown of Ivory Coast to stay with her aunt in the hope that education will be given to her. But she was beaten by chains of bicycles and kept locked up in a plastic sack in a dark, cold bathroom. Her great aunt with her boyfriend was found guilty of murder and jailed for life. This case of Victoria was as a result of the negligence of many authorities who never critically looked into the case before it worsened. Officials who never took action were also relieved of their duties. A task force of inquiry was formed. In the case of Victoria Climbe, the government asked Lord Laming to write a report. Lord Laming disclosed that the Minister believed the death of Victoria to be the result of the gross failure of the systems in place to prevent such events from happening. Two social workers also got sentenced due to the negligence of duty. The inquiry made in Elephant and Castle, south of London where the investigation of Stephen Lawrence a victim of murder made. The inquiry was to come up with the recommendation.The report used as a basis for new policy formation. Practice of Multidisciplinary Working Lord lamming's recommendations Lord laming finalized that agencies are given authority to protect children had failed. He recommended that a national database for all children containing all their details. It will help in information sharing between different agencies .Laming, criticized professionals who don't want to take accountability. He recommended for a clear line of duty from top to bottom. The government introduced requirements for councils to appoint a director of children services and lead member for children services who would be accountable for services provided to children (children act 2004).Policies such as every child matter and should under no circumstance be subjected to any kind of abuse and maltreatment. They should enjoy the best health free from victimization and abuse and have a safe home and a community which supports them physically and emotionally Strategies within local authorities Common assessment framework is a strategy used by local governments, some of the recommendations that were implemented, where clear protocols are in a place of how management of cases involving children. This framework should ensure that it is timely, transparent and proportionate to the need of children and families, clarifying how agencies and professionals undertaking assessment can make contributions and providing the victim with the kind of help needed. The staff within local authorities are highly trained and equipped to handle child-related cases of any extent with the highest level of professionalism and clear outlining of duty to promote accountability and effectiveness. Local authorities have integrated children act section 10 and 11 by allowing working and information sharing between different partners in child advocacy centers in solving cases of child maltreatment. They are responsible for protecting them from harm, abuse, and neglect and ensuring their wellbeing. The effect of child mistreatment and abuse can be devastating to the affected child (Horwath &Morrison, 2005). It can result in mental instability to the children and families involved accompanied by a lifelong trauma, individuals involved include; law enforcement agents, health workers, court systems, social services and non-governmental agencies (Horwath &Morrison, 2005).For example in a case of a youth offender, there will be a social service to identify the victim, law enforcers to arrest the perpetrator, health worker to establish the state of the child and court to prosecute the ...