Child Protection. Could you do it?

[Joeve]

My phone didn't give me the option of highlighting it appears straight up in bold....
My mum worked as a youth worker and had many young people who had lived those experiences as her cases. She used to be just heartbroken listening to their stories so I just can't imagine how someone who is in the intervention team could keep at it for a long period

[Loula]

I thought I always could until I got a job working in a large children's hospital with children with cancer and infectious like tb and things. I was so emotional and often took that home with me. I also agree I have friends who have worked in the field but since having their own children could not do it anymore. Too painful


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[Lisa B]

Loula, I agree. Having kids makes you see things differently. I am working in a related field and I see children who don't live at home having access with their parents. Whilst I understand why the kids can't live at home, as a parent I often think what it would be like to see my child only a couple of times a week under supervision. It's more emotional than it used to be. I certainly go home and give my little boy a big hug many a night. For me there's a difference between knowing something intellectually (prior to kids) and knowing something through the experience of having children.

[mrscricket]

I was actually at a children's birthday party the other day and got talking to one of the mum's there and she is a CP worker. She said it is a very hard, disturbing job, especially since she has had children, but she is one of the ones that is like "I need to make any difference I can, even if sometimes it nearly kills me inside'. I really admired her because lots of people, me included, would never consider it as a job.

I found it really interesting because my parents are foster carers, and some of the children that have come through their doors have had the most horrific life you could ever imagine. It breaks my heart to look at some of them. And sometimes its a success story - one tiny little baby they had who was going through drug withdrawl (the most hideous thing I have witnessed) was eventually adopted out to an amazing family who has given her an amazing life. But other time, they are sent back to the parents and it is so so hard for my parents, but they know it's what happens. While the chidlren are with them, they give them all the love and care possible.

I think it is a job that would take a really, really strong person. I would be a blubbering mess.

[AngelPants]

i know i could never do it but take my hat off to those who do anything is that field. ive had people i know at both side of the cpo coin, one with my cousins expartner only having supervised visits with her daughter once a week and the child having a myriad of health problems from her drug use during the pg. she had her next baby taken away at birth. then a friend at playgroup who has 5 kids of her own, permanate foster care of boy and occasional care of several others inc the foster sons brother who is still with the parents. i know at times she has to take a step back and breath and process stuff after being involved in the area in some way for 10+ years.

[Tegam]

I've seen it.

It's changed me. Forever.

Absolutely if only you could forget.

Kit I replied elsewhere to this question.

[nickle730]

Yes, I think I could. I have worked for many years in a job where I see terrible things, both physical and social. The outcome is often poor. As a PP said, I have the attitude that I can only do what I can do. Knowing that I have done my job to the very best of my ability and that I have made a difference to someone's life provides me with great job satisfaction. I do think I would find the bureaucracy exceptionally frustrating.

[~TT40~]

I myself could never do it. and I really admire anyone who does it. Just from what I've seen as a midwife is enough to tear my heart, and I wasn't even seeing the tip of the iceburg...

I have a friend who use to work in that industry, and unfortuantly is now on disability payments because of the mental health effects it had on her and she can't work again (or atleast for an extremely long time).

It takes a very special and strong person to be able to do it, and thank god there are people out there who can and do.

[MummyDuck]

For me - I started studying sw 11 years ago and left. I was heartbroken for my brother at the time, he was a ward of the state and I decided I couldn't do it.

Now I'm older I received 2 offers from uni - primary teaching and sw. I enrolled in primary teaching however transferred to sw in the first few weeks. I HAVE to do this and I do want to have experience in cp before I do a post grad in probably teaching.

For me it's about my life - I have been part of some horrible things and also been lucky to meet some wonderful people. I believe that while things are tough life is only what you make it. I was abused- I choose not to dwell on it and let it consume my life - I choose to use that strength I gained to help others.

I will find it hard to work with the rules (like the fact that we cannot foster - even emergency placements while ttc or that drug affected parents can keep their children until there is proof of abuse or neglect)

I also believe that every child is born a clean slate. Their environment is going to make up who they are. Every child deserves the good things, and love and someone to protect and look out for them, they deserve the opportunity to thrive. I will see some horrible things and i wont be superwoman - some kids will be severely affected beyond return but I can sincerely say I tried and for those successes there will be nothing more rewarding then seeing a child laugh, learn, love after adversity.

I intend to cry- let out what I need to each day, I intend to keep a psychologist under my belt - someone to help me manage my completely thin skin (as opposed to being thick skinned)

If you are having doubts read a few books - Dave pelzer, Cathy glass type books, if they make you sick or really disturb you it's not the job for you.

I'm drawn to these books, I have a bookcase full of them.


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[~TT40~]

If you are having doubts read a few books - Dave pelzer, Cathy glass type books, if they make you sick or really disturb you it's not the job for you.

I'm drawn to these books, I have a bookcase full of them.


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I actually have a bookshelf full of those types if books too.. I surprisingly love them... Another one if you havent read yet is by Anya Peters.


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[krysalyss]

I used to work in animal protection and I couldn't cope with that. I can deal with the abused animals, but I couldn't deal well with the people who inflict it. I don't think I could cope at all with child protection without striking out at the people who are to blame.

[MummyDuck]

Abandoned its on my wish list.

Torey Hayden is another they are beautiful books of how she touched the lives of 'special' (as she was a teacher of special classes - challenging kids)

The one about Sheila makes me cry every time ..... However it does make me think about how I will be able to leave these kids as she did. Sheila so badly wanted torey to be her mum and take her home and that's exactly what I would want to do. I would have a farm full of children if just to protect them.

I am hoping that as with many care jobs (medical police fire etc etc) that I'll develop a bit of immunity while still caring as much as I do now.


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