Case Study 2 Margie works with young foster children in metropolitan Sydney. The

Question

Case Study 2 Margie works with young foster children in metropolitan Sydney. The service supports the needs of children from diverse backgrounds. Some children do not know or understand much about their culture or customs. Cultures represented include Islamic, Chinese, Korean, Sudanese, Syrian, Maori, Torres Strait Islander, and different Aboriginal cultures. Margie’s job as diversity officer is to promote diversity in the workplace, and ensure that staff are adequately trained to meet the diverse linguistic, cultural and social needs of the children. One of Margie’s colleagues, Lin, asks to speak to Margie about his concern regarding one of the children. Zayaan is a practising Muslim, and has been placed with a white Australian family. Lin says that Zayaan has lost weight and appears undernourished. Lin is concerned that Zayaan is being neglected. When Zayaan is brought in for an interview with the family, she sits quietly and does not speak. Afterwards, Margie asks to speak with Zayaan on her own and, after quite a long interview, learns that Zayaan has been told that she cannot eat unless she eats the pork provided; she needs to swim at the beach with the other children; and she cannot practise Islam at home.

What practices or procedures could Margie implement to promote respect and value of diversity and inclusiveness in the workplace?

Explain what Zayaan’s rights are, and what Margie and Lin’s responsibilities are to ensure Zayaan’s rights are protected.

Explanation / Answer

Social security services are being utilised by children and families for common goal of meeting regular needs such as health care, schooling, daycare, social support and justice. Through these agencies , the State makes sure that children's right have been met and the children and family are right hders.

Rights of the children in Social Security includes

1. Best interest of the Child

2. Right to participation

3. Right to protection

As a diversity officer, Margie can do the following

1. Awareness raising campaign - Margie can promote awareness to the children and the families for the reason of accessibility of services as well as reminding the children and family about their rights and obligations. Such campaign should be conducted in native language for the children so that they understand that the details and can be informed.

2. Improving professional competency - professional competency an be improved by training, supervision and accountability. Training should be given about children's right, ethics, prevention of violence to children, communication, accountability and ability to work in multi disciplinary teams.

Supervision includes identifying children at risk of neglect and abuse, communication with them, refferals and reporting mechanism.

3. Security of the child - this is the upmost function of the services that all measures should e undertaken to make sure that the child is safe with the family or in the foster care etc. She can have several counselling sessions with all children and asses their needs and identify problems of any.

4. Co operation with social services at International level- children are at risk of being neglected, abused or bulleted. Efforts should be directed towards strengthening the co operation with social services across borders.

5. Monitoring and evaluation of services - continuing monitoring and evaluation of the services should be carried out to determine any form of violation of Child's right. If found to be true them action accordingly should be undertaken according to protocol and policies.

6. Cultural sensitivity training for foster parents - parents who foster children are given cultural sensitivity training to be ready with the foster child's cultural differences, make the environment conducive for the family and the child to be adapted positively at home.

Communication is of upmost importance in the function of fostering. Communication with the child, parents has to be transparent and effective to have a safe and prosperous future of the child.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse C
• Subjects

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.