Critical examination, using the decision-making ecology framework, of macro, institutional and individual decision-maker influences on decision making in response to child abuse and neglect.
Decision making in the context of child welfare is complex. It is seldom straightforward and requires a broad range of knowledge, skills and reflective capacities. It relies not only on the individual practitioner, but is also shaped by institutional, cultural and macro contexts. This paper explores decision-making research, with a view to contributing to critical and thoughtful practitioners.
| Paper title | Decision-making in Child Welfare |
|---|---|
| Paper code | SOWK509 |
| Subject | Social Work |
| EFTS | 0.25 |
| Points | 30 points |
| Teaching period(s) | First Semester, First Semester |
| Domestic Tuition Fees (NZD) | $2,375.25 |
| International Tuition Fees (NZD) | $7,201.25 |
- Restriction
- SOWK 409
- Limited to
- PGDipSW, PGDipCCP, MSW
- Contact
- More information link
View more information on the Social and Community Work programme website
- Teaching staff
Associate Professor; Emily Keddell
- Paper Structure
- Modules:
- Module one: Understanding the child welfare decision-making environment
- Module two: Who is 'at risk'?
- Module three: Individual factors impacting on decision making
- Module four: Different approaches to decision making in response to risk
- Module five: Risk, safety and harm
- Module six: Ethical and moral aspects of decision making
- Teaching Arrangements
There are two compulsory workshops for this paper - one at the start and one at the end of semester.
- Textbooks
- Readings will be provided online. There is no set text.
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
- Critical thinking, Ethics, Cultural understanding.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes. - Learning Outcomes
- Students who successfully complete the paper will
- Be able to critically analyse the child welfare decision-making environment, recognising the legal, ethical, social, cultural and political dimensions shaping the parameters of decision making in this context
- Be able to identify institutional influences on judgement, including organisational cultures, feedback, groupthink, participatory decision-making processes, interprofessional decision making and the influence of the resource environment
- Understand the individual drivers of decision making, including values and beliefs, cultural differences, cognitive processes, and the situated, interpretive and dialogic nature of decision making
- Be able to describe differing approaches to decision making in the child welfare environment, specifically actuarial, professional discretion, safety-oriented and relationship-based practice approaches
- Be able to apply relevant research in the areas of risk, safety and harm, trauma, ethics, parental and child participation and parenting capacity to decision making
