BSW3704
Assignment 2
Unique No: 655332
Due 31 July 2025
,BSW3704
Assignment 2: Child Protection and Social Work Services Insights
Unique No: 655332
Due Date: 31 July 2025
Question 1: Protecting Child’s Rights (15 marks)
1.1: Upholding Child’s Rights in Child Protection Services
Social workers play a crucial role in upholding children's rights, as articulated in South
Africa's Constitution (Section 28) and the Children's Act 38 of 2005. The core tenets
of participation, best interests, and dignity are fundamental to child protection,
necessitating a child-centered approach that balances empowerment with protective
measures (South Africa, 2005). Critically, these rights-based principles push social
workers beyond traditional paternalistic frameworks, encouraging them to engage
children as active participants while navigating complex socio-cultural and legal
landscapes.
Participation: Section 10 of the Children's Act underscores a child's right to
participate in decisions that affect them, taking into account their age and maturity.
Social workers facilitate this through age-appropriate communication tools, such as
play therapy for younger children or structured interviews for adolescents, to gather their
perspectives (Van Niekerk, 1998). This participation empowers children, improves the
accuracy of decisions, and fosters resilience. However, challenges often arise when
cultural norms prioritize adult voices or when children fear repercussions, demanding
that social workers assertively advocate for children's inclusion.
Best Interests of the Child: Section 7 of the Children's Act mandates that the child's
best interests be the overriding consideration in all proceedings (South Africa, 2005).
This principle requires holistic assessments that consider physical, emotional, and
cultural needs.
, Social workers put this into practice through multi-disciplinary consultations,
ensuring decisions prioritize long-term well-being over short-term convenience. For
instance, in situations involving parental substance abuse, social workers might
recommend temporary foster care to ensure safety while simultaneously supporting
parental rehabilitation, aligning with the child's long-term stability.
Dignity: Upholding a child's dignity means treating them with respect and protecting
them from stigmatization during interventions. Social workers achieve this by
maintaining confidentiality, using non-judgmental language, and ensuring
interventions are culturally sensitive (Sibanda and Lombard, 2021). Nevertheless,
systemic issues, such as resource limitations, can compromise dignity, as children may
be placed in overcrowded facilities, underscoring the urgent need for advocacy to
improve service quality.
1.2: Practical Examples of Interventions
Participation: In a case involving a 12-year-old experiencing neglect, a social worker
might use the "Three Houses" tool (Weld, 2008), where the child draws their "House
of Worries," "House of Good Things," and "House of Dreams" to express concerns and
aspirations. This tool not only informs case planning but also actively empowers the
child in the process.
Best Interests: For a child removed from an abusive home, a social worker could
organize a family group conference (Section 70, Children’s Act) to explore kinship
care options, ensuring the child maintains connections to their cultural and familial roots
(South Africa, 2005).
Dignity: When investigating allegations of abuse, social workers should conduct
interviews in private, child-friendly spaces to minimize trauma and stigma, adhering
to DSD guidelines (Department of Social Development, 2010).
1.3: Critical Analysis
While the Children's Act provides a robust legal framework, its implementation faces
significant hurdles, including overburdened social workers and limited child-friendly
resources (Sibanda and Lombard, 2021). A critical perspective reveals that child
Assignment 2
Unique No: 655332
Due 31 July 2025
,BSW3704
Assignment 2: Child Protection and Social Work Services Insights
Unique No: 655332
Due Date: 31 July 2025
Question 1: Protecting Child’s Rights (15 marks)
1.1: Upholding Child’s Rights in Child Protection Services
Social workers play a crucial role in upholding children's rights, as articulated in South
Africa's Constitution (Section 28) and the Children's Act 38 of 2005. The core tenets
of participation, best interests, and dignity are fundamental to child protection,
necessitating a child-centered approach that balances empowerment with protective
measures (South Africa, 2005). Critically, these rights-based principles push social
workers beyond traditional paternalistic frameworks, encouraging them to engage
children as active participants while navigating complex socio-cultural and legal
landscapes.
Participation: Section 10 of the Children's Act underscores a child's right to
participate in decisions that affect them, taking into account their age and maturity.
Social workers facilitate this through age-appropriate communication tools, such as
play therapy for younger children or structured interviews for adolescents, to gather their
perspectives (Van Niekerk, 1998). This participation empowers children, improves the
accuracy of decisions, and fosters resilience. However, challenges often arise when
cultural norms prioritize adult voices or when children fear repercussions, demanding
that social workers assertively advocate for children's inclusion.
Best Interests of the Child: Section 7 of the Children's Act mandates that the child's
best interests be the overriding consideration in all proceedings (South Africa, 2005).
This principle requires holistic assessments that consider physical, emotional, and
cultural needs.
, Social workers put this into practice through multi-disciplinary consultations,
ensuring decisions prioritize long-term well-being over short-term convenience. For
instance, in situations involving parental substance abuse, social workers might
recommend temporary foster care to ensure safety while simultaneously supporting
parental rehabilitation, aligning with the child's long-term stability.
Dignity: Upholding a child's dignity means treating them with respect and protecting
them from stigmatization during interventions. Social workers achieve this by
maintaining confidentiality, using non-judgmental language, and ensuring
interventions are culturally sensitive (Sibanda and Lombard, 2021). Nevertheless,
systemic issues, such as resource limitations, can compromise dignity, as children may
be placed in overcrowded facilities, underscoring the urgent need for advocacy to
improve service quality.
1.2: Practical Examples of Interventions
Participation: In a case involving a 12-year-old experiencing neglect, a social worker
might use the "Three Houses" tool (Weld, 2008), where the child draws their "House
of Worries," "House of Good Things," and "House of Dreams" to express concerns and
aspirations. This tool not only informs case planning but also actively empowers the
child in the process.
Best Interests: For a child removed from an abusive home, a social worker could
organize a family group conference (Section 70, Children’s Act) to explore kinship
care options, ensuring the child maintains connections to their cultural and familial roots
(South Africa, 2005).
Dignity: When investigating allegations of abuse, social workers should conduct
interviews in private, child-friendly spaces to minimize trauma and stigma, adhering
to DSD guidelines (Department of Social Development, 2010).
1.3: Critical Analysis
While the Children's Act provides a robust legal framework, its implementation faces
significant hurdles, including overburdened social workers and limited child-friendly
resources (Sibanda and Lombard, 2021). A critical perspective reveals that child
