Massey Documents by Type

Permanent URI for this communityhttps://mro.massey.ac.nz/handle/10179/294

Browse

Filters

2007 - 20082

Settings

Has files: YesSubject: search.filters.subject.Child protection

Search Results

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Experts in uncertainty : social work in child protection : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the degree of Master of Social Work at Massey University
    (Massey University, 2008) Pakura, Shannon
    This research examines what motivates child protection social workers and the factors which support them to continue practicing in New Zealand's statutory agency, Child Youth and Family. Child welfare services are under stress with increasing workloads. The work is difficult and the hours are long. Workers manage ambiguity, uncertainty and they make judgments that no other agency or professional is called upon to make, within a system that requires them to constantly reassess priorities and Attracting and retaining workers in the child protection field of practice is a priority for Child Youth and Family. The thesis examines the motivating factors which encourage a social worker to remain practicing in the statutory child protection field. Understanding and strengthening these factors may assist New Zealand's statutory child protection agency; Child Youth and Family to increase the capability, capacity and experience of its professional workforce. Two methods were used to gather information for this study; in-depth individual interviews and a focus group. An inductive approach Was used to identify common themes and challenges. The key findings of the research showed that the quality of supervision and the relationships with one's supervisor and other professionals are critical. Self-care is a priority for the individual and operational policies must be clear, concise and accessible. Business and social work values guide the leadership of the statutory child welfare organisation. Workloads need to be manageable. Services to Maori require re-investment. A culture of acknowledging and celebrating the achievements of the agency and its staff should be infused through out the organisation and the general public made aware of the efforts and hard work of these professionals. The findings have identified that the needs of statutory child protection social workers are modest. Providing the systems that help sustain them in their role and ensuring the support mechanisms are operating will assist Child Youth and Family to recruit and retain a competent, experienced and resilient workforce to support and provide services to New Zealand children and their families.
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy for abused children with posttraumatic stress disorder : development and evaluation of a manualised treatment programme : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology at Massey University, Albany, New Zealand
    (Massey University, 2007) Feather, Jacqueline Susan
    A manualised trauma-focused cognitive behavioural therapy (TF-CBT) programme was developed for multiply-abused children diagnosed with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD; Feather & Ronan, 2004) referred to the specialist clinic of the statutory child protection agency in New Zealand. The TF-CBT protocol was based on: (1) a review of the history of child abuse (CA) and child protection in New Zealand and internationally, with particular reference to professional developments and the role of psychologists in ameliorating CA; (2) a conceptualisation of the clinical presentation of CA in children; (3) a review of the field of psychotraumatology and theoretical models, including locally developed, relevant to the development of a treatment programme for traumatised abused children in a child protection setting in New Zealand; and (4) a review of evidence-based practice, treatment outcome models, and current empirical research related to developing an effective treatment model in this area. The locally developed TF-CBT programme built on efficacious treatments for child anxiety and PTSD as a result of sexual abuse. It encompasses psychosocial strengthening, coping skills training, gradual exposure using expressive modalities, and special issues relevant to trauma and abuse. A “scientist-practitioner” approach to local clinical research was used to evaluate the programme. A single-case multiple-baseline design demonstrated the controlling effects of the treatment across four studies; each comprising four typically-referred multiply-abused children aged 9-15 years who met diagnostic criteria for PTSD. Parent/caregivers were involved in treatment sessions. Study 1 was a pilot with four Pakeha/New Zealand European children; Study 2 trialled the protocol with two Maori and two Samoan children; Study 3 was an evaluation of the developed protocol with a multicultural group of typically-referred children; and Study 4 was an evaluation with other therapists delivering the manualised programme. Despite some methodological difficulties related to conducting research in a setting of this nature, the overall results indicate a good deal of promise. Across the four studies, for the majority of children treated, PTSD symptoms decreased and child coping increased. Where follow-up data was available, gains generally maintained or improved over 3-, 6-, and 12-month intervals. Recommendations are made about further applications of this TF-CBT programme, including the interweaving of cultural models with TF-CBT, and development and evaluation of the protocol in other settings. Implications of the current research are discussed in terms of recognition of the crucial importance of evidence-based practice in CA/child protection settings, and the contribution psychologists and therapists can make to ensure quality outcomes for this most vulnerable population of children and families.