Title
Child Welfare Workers Who Experience the Death of a Child Client
Publication Date
2013
Document Type
Article
Abstract
Annually, almost 2,000 children die from maltreatment; 30%–40% are known to child welfare agencies. Critics attribute these deaths to young, inexperienced, untrained workers. This study used a multi-state sample of 123 child welfare workers who had experienced a fatality to address: 1) the characteristics of workers, 2) how workers approached the case, and 3) the fallout after the fatality. Workers were in their late 30s, were well educated, and had several years of experience. They felt confident in handling the case leading up to the fatality, felt supported by coworkers, and did not use formal support. Implications for administrators are discussed.
Original Citation
Emily M. Douglas (2013): Child Welfare Workers Who Experience the Death of a Child Client, Administration in Social Work, 37:1, 59-72. https://doi.org/10.1080/03643107.2012.654903
Identifier
Virtual Commons Citation
Douglas, Emily (2013). Child Welfare Workers Who Experience the Death of a Child Client. In Social Work Faculty Publications. Paper 19.
Available at: https://vc.bridgew.edu/socialwork_fac/19