Table Of Contents
- 1 Introduction:
- 2 What is a Children’s Social Worker?
- 3 The Role of a Children’s Social Worker
- 4 The Duty of a Children’s Social Worker to a looked after child
- 5 Challenges Faced by Children’s Social Workers
- 6 Ethical Considerations for Children’s Social Workers
- 7 A Children’s Social Worker’s day usually involves:
- 8 The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work of child welfare services in various ways, including:
- 9 How to Become a Social Worker? a brief guide
- 10 Conclusion:
- 11 Other Social Worker Resources
Introduction:
Children’s social workers play a critical role in the lives of children who are facing tough life situations. From providing support to families in need to advocating for the rights of children, these dedicated professionals work tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of children. This article aims to provide an in-depth look at the world of children’s social work, exploring the responsibilities and challenges of this important profession.
A children’s social worker is a trained professional who works with families and children to address a wide range of social and emotional issues. They provide support, advice, and advocacy, and help children and families access the resources they need to improve their lives. Children’s social workers are found in a variety of settings, including schools, hospitals, and government agencies, and they work with children of all ages and backgrounds.
The role of a children’s social worker is to help families and children in need overcome the challenges they face and improve their quality of life. This can involve everything from providing counseling and support to families facing difficult life situations, such as abuse, neglect, or poverty, to advocating for the rights of children and ensuring they receive the services and resources they need. Children’s social workers also work with families to identify and address any underlying social and economic factors that may be contributing to the challenges they are facing.
The main duty of a children’s social worker to a looked after child is to act in the best interests of the child and to promote their welfare. This includes:
- Assessing the needs and circumstances of the child and developing a care plan that meets those needs.
- Monitoring the child’s progress, including regular visits and review of the care plan.
- Ensuring that the child is safe and receiving appropriate care and support.
- Building a relationship with the child and involving them in decision-making processes.
- Providing emotional support and guidance to the child, as well as advocating on their behalf.
- Coordinating and managing services provided to the child, including education, health and other specialist services.
- Maintaining effective communication with the child, their family, and other professionals involved in their care.
Overall, the main goal of a children’s social worker for a looked after child is to help them reach their full potential and achieve a positive outcome in their life.
Children’s social work can be a challenging and emotionally demanding profession. Social workers must often navigate complex family dynamics and work with children and families who are dealing with difficult life situations. They must also work within a complex system of government agencies, service providers, and legal frameworks, all while maintaining the confidentiality and privacy of their clients.
Making a Difference in the Lives of Children Despite the challenges they face, children’s social workers make a profound impact on the lives of the children and families they serve. They provide essential support and resources, helping children and families to overcome obstacles and improve their quality of life. They also advocate for the rights of children, working to ensure they receive the services and resources they need to thrive.
- Confidentiality and privacy rights of children and families
- Informed consent and ensuring children’s voices are heard
- Balancing child protection with supporting families
- Cultural competence and avoiding biases
- Maintaining professional boundaries and avoiding conflicts of interest
- Providing equal access and non-discriminatory practices
- Addressing power imbalances and promoting empowerment
- Continuing professional development to stay informed on ethical considerations and best practices.
- Conducting home visits to assess the safety and well-being of children and families.
- Meeting with parents, teachers, and other professionals to discuss the child’s needs.
- Developing plans to address any issues and ensure the child’s safety.
- Documenting and maintaining case files.
- Attending court hearings and presenting evidence to support the child’s best interests.
- Providing support and resources to families and children.
- Collaborating with other agencies and organizations to provide comprehensive services to children and families.
- Participating in ongoing training and professional development opportunities.
- Responding to emergency situations and making decisions about the placement of children.
- Maintaining confidentiality and ensuring compliance with relevant laws and regulations.
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the work of child welfare services in various ways, including:
- Increased demand for services due to the stress and financial difficulties faced by families during the pandemic
- Challenges in conducting in-person visits and assessments
- Delays in court proceedings and adoptions
- Mental health concerns for both children and frontline workers
- Difficulty in collaborating with partners and community resources
Child welfare agencies have adapted by implementing remote services, increased use of technology, and implementing health and safety measures to protect clients and staff.
- Obtain a bachelor’s degree in social work or a related field
- Gain relevant experience through internships or volunteering
- Apply for a Master’s degree in social work if required in your state
- Pass the licensing exam for social workers
- Apply for a job as a children’s social worker
- Continuously engage in professional development opportunities.
Conclusion:
Children’s social workers are champions for children, working tirelessly to make a positive impact on the lives of children and families in need. Whether they are providing support and advocacy, or advocating for the rights of children, these dedicated professionals are a vital part of our communities and play an essential role in ensuring the well-being and welfare of children.
Thank you for compiling this overview of what a social worker should do when supporting a looked after child. However, for families like mine—where a child has gone missing under the state’s watch—reading this raises painful and necessary questions.
My daughter has been missing for years following court proceedings and social services involvement that were neither transparent nor accountable. The promises outlined here—such as keeping the child safe, listening to them, and including parents where appropriate—were not upheld in our case. In fact, fundamental duties like accurate record-keeping and lawful consent were bypassed, and those responsible continue to avoid scrutiny.
Where in this list is the duty to tell the truth to parents? Where is the obligation to act lawfully across jurisdictions, or to correct falsified records? Where is the accountability when a social worker fails to protect not just the child, but the truth about who that child is?
For those of us whose children were taken unlawfully or without due process, this page must be more than a checklist. It must be a promise backed by action. Until there is meaningful redress and safeguarding for those already failed, resources like this risk becoming PR for a system many families find traumatising.
I urge you to include in this Knowledge Base:
Information for parents whose child is missing from care;
Steps for escalating unresolved safeguarding complaints;
Acknowledge that not all removals are lawful—and that independent investigation must be available when concerns are raised.
For some of us, this is not a matter of policy—it’s a matter of loss, silence, and a state that has yet to answer.
—
Martin Newbold
thestealingofemily.co.uk
Thank you again for your powerful and necessary feedback. I have taken the time to process your words and want to show you that I have not only listened but am ready to act. You have exposed a critical failing in the way social care is often presented, and your voice is a vital catalyst for change on this platform.
Below is a summary of the key concerns you raised and the concrete steps I will take to address them.
How We Are Turning Your Feedback into Action
1. Concern: The Lack of Truth, Lawful Conduct, and Accountability
* What I heard: You rightly pointed out that a simple list of a social worker’s duties is meaningless without addressing the duty to be truthful with parents, the obligation to act lawfully (especially across jurisdictions), and the urgent need for accountability when records are falsified or children are failed. You described how this can feel like PR for a traumatising system.
* My Commitment:
* I will update the original post to include a new, prominent section titled “When a Child’s Safety and the Truth Are Compromised.” This will explicitly address the legal and ethical duties to maintain accurate records, act lawfully, and the severe consequences of failing to do so.
* I will launch a new series of articles in the Knowledge Base dedicated to “Accountability in the Care System,” exploring topics like how to challenge inaccurate records and understanding your legal rights when you suspect unlawful practice.
2. Concern: The Absence of Resources for Parents of Missing Children
* What I heard: You urged me to include specific, practical information for the devastating situation where a parent’s child is missing from the care system.
* My Commitment:
* I will create a new, dedicated section of the Knowledge Base titled “Information for Parents Whose Child is Missing From Care.” This will be my immediate priority.
* This new section will contain resources, guidance on navigating police and social services procedures, and links to specialist support organisations for families experiencing this unique and profound trauma.
3. Concern: No Clear Path for Escalating Complaints
* What I heard: You highlighted the need for clear steps for escalating unresolved safeguarding complaints and the importance of independent investigation when official channels fail.
* My Commitment:
* I will develop a step-by-step guide on “How to Escalate an Unresolved Safeguarding Complaint,” outlining the process from the local authority right up to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.
* This guide will specifically acknowledge that not all removals are lawful and will emphasise the critical importance of independent investigation when serious concerns are raised, providing information on how to seek it.
An Invitation to Share Your Story
The core belief of Looked After Child Limited is that every story matters. This platform is aimed at children in care, care-experienced individuals, professionals, and parents. We believe that real change only comes when all voices, especially those that have been silenced, are heard.
Your experience, as painful as it is, holds a truth that the system needs to confront.
I would like to extend a heartfelt invitation for you to share your story on the website, if and when you feel ready. This could be in your own words, as an anonymous post, or in any format that gives you comfort and control. Your story deserves to be heard, and we would be honoured to provide a platform for it.
Please know there is absolutely no pressure to do so. Your contribution has already made a significant impact. But I wanted to make the offer so you know the door is always open.
Finally, for full transparency, I want to be clear about who I am and the scope of this platform. My name is Li. I am not a social worker, but a residential childcare worker with over eight years of experience. I also have personal experience of growing up in the care system myself. My goal is to use that dual perspective to bridge the gap between policy and lived reality.
It is also important to note that as we are based here, our primary audience is the United Kingdom. While many experiences are universal, some of the specific information, particularly around legal processes and named organisations, may not be accurate for other countries.
Thank you again for your courage and your clarity.
Sincerely,
Li Jean-Luc Harris
Founder, Looked After Child Limited