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The Effects of Violence and Aggression From Parents on Child Protection Workers’ Personal, Family, and Professional Lives

Author

Listed:
  • Brian Littlechild
  • Susan Hunt
  • Chris Goddard
  • Judy Cooper
  • Barry Raynes
  • James Wild

Abstract

This article presents findings from a survey of the experiences of child protection workers in England when working with parents who exhibit aggression and violence. This work explores the effects on workers in their professional lives, and on themselves and their families in their private lives. The article examines workers’ thoughts and experiences about the effects of parental hostility on workers’ ability to protect children. The article also details workers’ experiences of the nature and effectiveness of training and support in this area. These findings are then examined in the light of the results of an analysis of the literature, including the findings from serious case review (SCR) reports in England (official inquiries into the causes of child deaths where the children are known to social and health services). The majority of the 590 respondents in the survey were social workers ( n = 402; 68%), reflecting the fact that case management of child protection cases in the United Kingdom is the responsibility of social workers working in statutory agencies. This article addresses, from a consideration of the secondary analysis and the original research findings from the survey, how individual workers, managers, and agencies can best understand and then respond effectively to aggressive parental behaviors.

Suggested Citation

  • Brian Littlechild & Susan Hunt & Chris Goddard & Judy Cooper & Barry Raynes & James Wild, 2016. "The Effects of Violence and Aggression From Parents on Child Protection Workers’ Personal, Family, and Professional Lives," SAGE Open, , vol. 6(1), pages 21582440156, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:6:y:2016:i:1:p:2158244015624951
    DOI: 10.1177/2158244015624951
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Newhill, Christina E. & Wexler, Sandra, 1997. "Client violence toward children and youth services social workers," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 19(3), pages 195-212.
    2. Regehr, Cheryl & Hemsworth, David & Leslie, Bruce & Howe, Phillip & Chau, Shirley, 2004. "Predictors of post-traumatic distress in child welfare workers: a linear structural equation model," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 26(4), pages 331-346, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Lamothe, Josianne & Geoffrion, Steve & Couvrette, Amélie & Guay, Stéphane, 2021. "Supervisor support and emotional labor in the context of client aggression," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 127(C).
    2. Jimmy Stephen Munobwa & Peter Öberg & Fereshteh Ahmadi, 2023. "Helping or Controlling? Choice of Coping Methods When Dealing with Violent Clients in Statutory Social Work," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Boonzaaier, Emma & Truter, Elmien & Fouché, Ansie, 2021. "Occupational risk factors in child protection social work: A scoping review," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).

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