Working with People in Need of Protection Flashcards
(33 cards)
Define ‘Need’
The state that pertains in the absence of something that is deemed to be necessary, usually for the continued and basic functioning of the organism.
- essential to survival
- unmet needs exposes people to various risks and vulnerabilities
List 5 types of Needs
Physical = Water, food, shelter, warmth, reproduction. Psychological = Stimulation, cognitive activity. Emotional = Love, affection, trust, understanding. Social = Contact with others, friends. Spiritual = Communion with others and with one’s beliefs
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
- Physiological Needs
- Security Needs
- Social Needs
- Ego Needs
- Self-Actualization
Maslow on Needs and Motivation
It is our needs that motivate us to do anything and everything we do.
Bradshaw’s Taxonomy of Social Need
Normative Need
Felt Need
Expressed Need
Comparative Need
Normative Need
Needs that fit some kind of criteria (generally set by social service departments to determine who receives assistance)
Ex: If a child is not a standardize weight, he/she may be malnourished.
Felt Need
Needs that are felt by the individual. Very subjective and difficult/ nearly impossible to measure, which makes it arguable.
Expressed Need
Need that is expressed through observation. Sometimes an individual may not be able to express their need, leaving it up to a professional to express it on their behalf.
Ex: A child with a severe learning disability may not recognize their need for extra care, but to an outsider the need is clear.
Comparative Need
Needs that are based on a comparison to another person or group whose need has already been identified, and is/are already receiving assistance.
Five Welfare Perspectives
Welfare as an expression of altruism
Welfare as a channel for the pursuit of self-interest
Welfare as the exercise of authority
Welfare as a transition to work
Welfare as a mechanism for moral regeneration
What is “Risk”?
Historically similar to chance in that the outcome could be good or bad, but more recently (in social work especially) synonymous with negative/adverse outcomes: danger & harm.
‘risk control perspective’
risk is framed as a negative thing constituting a threat or a danger. - emphasis on professional responsibility to identify the level of risk and to develop strategies to eliminate it
‘risk taking perspective’
where risk is viewed positively with an emphasis on its role in relation to self-determination and empowerment, this can lead to very different outcomes
2 Basic Approaches to Risk Assessment
Actuarial (statistical)
Clinical (professional judgement)
** too many variables for risk assessment to be an exact science.
The use of both in all cases is favourable.
Actuarial Risk Assessment
Involves statistical calculations of risk and relies on a comparison of key factors about an individual with an existing sample (base-rate)
ex. common in criminal justice and probation, relating to the prediction of the risk/likelihood of re-offending.
Clinical Risk Assessment
Relies on professional judgements - based on the knowledge, skills and experience of individual practitioners. Often rationalized with Actuarial assessments and other tools.
Risk Management
identifies risk behaviours and measures to be taken to reduce their occurrence, which in some instances might involve restrictions on the individual’s rights and freedoms.
Considers what strategies should be put in place to protect the public or individuals identified as being at risk.
Ethical issues in Risk Management
restrictions on individual personal freedoms may be imposed based not necessarily on what a person may already have done, but on what they have not yet done.
Link Protection and Vulnerability
Some people are more susceptible to abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, and in turn require more protection. Ex: a child is more likely to run out on a busy street, thus, the government implements policies (speed limits near schools or playgrounds) to minimize the risk of an accident.
parens patriae
Latin for ‘parent of the country’ where the monarch or any other authority (the state, generally), is regarded as the legal protector of those unable to protect themselves.
Capacity and Incapacity
refers to our ability to make competent decisions determining our life choices.
Provided they are safe and lawful choices, the state will not intervene “no matter how unwise they may seem to others”.
Examples of people “with” incapacity
mental illness, learning disability or cognitive impairment (ex: dementia), or sometimes physical disability (only when they are unable to communicate their wishes, ex: Parkinson’s)
Capacity similarities in the UK legal system
● It is wrong to ever assume that a person totally lacks capacity. The adult must be assumed to have capacity until a situation arises which challenges the assumption. Only then may powers be used.
● Practicable help must be given to overcome difficulties before anyone treats the adult as not being able to make decisions.
● Unwise decisions are not, in themselves, reason to assume a lack of capacity.
● Anything done on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done in their
best interests.
● Anything done on behalf of a person who lacks capacity should be the least restrictive of their basic rights and freedoms. The person’s wishes and feelings and the views of significant others must be taken into account.
Sources of need and risk
Child abuse and neglect Poverty Racism and other forms of discrimination Social exclusion Crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour Substance use/misuse Mental illness and poor mental health Domestic violence Cyberspace and related issues
