«Working Protocol for Child Protection Workers»
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«Working Protocol for Child Protection Workers» Preface The transition of the Albanian society towards a new political, economic and social model still presents challenges related to the establishment and development of a child, family and community protection network. Violation and failure to respect children’s rights do not simply bring about physical and psychological consequences, but they affect in particular one’s character and create the premises for the future citizen to grow up under the weight of constant fear, suppression and self-exclusion. This Working Protocol for Child Protection Workers is an important publication that lays the ground for a well-organized and continuous child care so that they, as vulnerable beings, do not fall victim to their natural helplessness. The assessment of risk, children’s needs and the response to them through public policies and through the central, local and regional institutions attests to the priorities of the Albanian state and Albanian government regarding Child Protection. Over the years the Ministry of Labour, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities has developed a number of initiatives of a strategic, legal and institutional character, which address different phenomena that affect the individuals, family and community. In line with the Convention on the Rights of the Child, MoLSAEO continues to undertake legal initiatives, aimed at strengthening the child protection institutional mechanisms, establishing and institutionalizing roles and responsibilities. MoLSAEO also aims to standardize this Working Protocol, considering it the core source for directing and organizing the work of the Child Protection Workers. The determination and better recognition of rights and duties that arise with regard to protecting children from phenomena that affect their well-being, take primary importance. In particular, the social workers and experts of the field carry a major responsibility and obligation, which stem from the commitment of the entire society to guarantee for children a childhood void of denigrating phenomena, just as the society should provide protection and a most natural return to previous life in the cases when children become victims of these phenomena. The saying, “Who saves a man has saved a world” is a testimony of the human experience, which has historically been threatened by phenomena that have emerged in different forms. But while every nation sees its future in children, naturally, all the workers who will hold this valuable Working Protocol on their hands should remember that “Who saves a child, save the future.” SPIRO KSERA MINISTRY OF LABOR, SOCIAL AFFAIRS AND EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES 3 Authors Ingrid Jones, Child Protection Consultant Ardian Stafa, Child Protection Consultant In collaboration with: Terre des hommes Mission in Albania, Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities and UNICEF in Albania Edited by: Ingrid Jones Legal Expert: Albana Shtylla, Lawyer, Holta Kotherja, Lawyer Translation by: Ergys Bezhani, Enida Bezhani, Marcela Bardho. Design and production by: Mac Design © 2010 Albanian Ministry of Labor, Social Affairs and Equal Opportunities, Terre des hommes and UNICEF. 4 Contents Forward................................................................................................................................................ 3 Acknowledgements........................................................................................................................... 9 Introduction......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 12 Piloting of Child Protection Units.................................................................................................. Purpose of Working Protocol for Child Protection Workers.................................................. Need for Child Protection procedures........................................................................................ How to Use the Protocol................................................................................................................ Chapter 1: Child abuse and violence. Understanding violence................................................................................................ 1.1 Abuse and Violence against children in Albania and its forms.................... 14. 1.1.1 Violence against disabled children..................................................................... 16 1.1.2 Chil abuse within the social context................................................................ 16 1.1.3 Cultural values....................................................................................................... 17 1.1.4 Understanding gender, sex and gender discrimination................................. 18 1.2 Forms and types of child abuse, neglect, exploitation and trafficking....... 18 1.2.1 Kinds of abuse and potential indicators.......................................................... 19 1.2.2 Physical abuse........................................................................................................ 19 1.2.3 Sexual abuse........................................................................................................... 20 1.2.4 Neglect.................................................................................................................... 21 1.2.5 Psychological/emotional abuse ......................................................................... 22 1.2.6 Exploitation............................................................................................................ 23 1.2.7 Sexual exploitation............................................................................................... 23 1.2.8 Trafficking................................................................................................................ 23 1.2.8/a Pull and push factors........................................................................ 24 1.2.8/b Consequences on children, victims of trafficking...................... 25 1.2.8/c Recovery ability................................................................................ 25 1.2.9 Indicators of Children and Families at High Risk of Child Abuse or Neglect........................................................................................................... 26 Chapter 2: Ethics, principles, role and tasks of the child protection worker........................... 27 2.1 Basic principles, which will guide the Child Protection Worker in his/her work......... 27 2.2 Role of the Child Protection Worker..................................................................................... 28 2.3 Main duties of a Child Protection Worker............................................................................. 29 2.4 Qualifications of a Child Protection Worker........................................................................ 30 2.5 Developing the skills of the Child Protection Worker through Professional Supervision.................................................................................................................................. 30 2.6 Child Protection Workers as Change Makers .................................................................... 31 2.7 Training and development of Child Protection Workers.................................................... 33 5 Chapter 3: Legal Basis for the child protection services ............................................................. 34 3.1 The Law in relation to child protection................................................................................. 34 3.2 Legal Basis..................................................................................................................................... 35 3.3 Area of jurisdiction...................................................................................................................... 35 Chapter 4: Work of the Child Protection Worker for the protection of children in their identification, documentation, case management and solution................ 36 4.1 Determining the provision of Child Protection services................................................... 36 4.2 Beneficiaries of the child protection services....................................................................... 36 4.3 Child protection structures within local government........................................................ 37 4.4 Identification of service providers........................................................................................... 38 4.5 Mapping of the local services................................................................................................... 38 4.6 The stages of case management system................................................................................. 39 4.7 Recording of the Information................................................................................................... 39 4.8 Importance of supervision on Child Protection Workers................................................. 40 4.9 Documentation and children’s files......................................................................................... 41 4.10 The content of child protection file...................................................................................... 41 4.11 Inspections