Exploring the Ethics of Forewarning: Social Workers, Confidentiality and Potential Child Abuse Disclosures

ObjectiveTo systematically search for research about the effectiveness of mandatory reporting of child maltreatment and to synthesise qualitative research that explores mandated reporters’ (MRs) experiences with reporting.DesignAs no studies assessing the effectiveness of mandatory reporting were retrieved from our systematic search, we conducted a meta-synthesis of retrieved qualitative research. Searches in Medline (Ovid), Embase, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Sociological Abstracts, Education Resources Information Center, Criminal Justice Abstracts and Cochrane Library yielded over 6000 citations, which were deduplicated and then screened by two independent reviewers. English-language, primary qualitative studies that investigated MRs’ experiences with reporting of child maltreatment were included. Critical appraisal involved a modified checklist from the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme and qualitative meta-synthesis was used to combine results from the primary studies.SettingAll healthcare and social-service settings implicated by mandatory reporting laws were included. Included studies crossed nine high-income countries (USA, Australia, Sweden, Taiwan, Canada, Norway, Finland, Israel and Cyprus) and three middle-income countries (South Africa, Brazil and El Salvador). Participants: The studies represent the views of 1088 MRs.OutcomesFactors that influence MRs’ decision to report and MRs’ views towards and experiences with mandatory reporting of child maltreatment.ResultsForty-four articles reporting 42 studies were included. Findings indicate that MRs struggle to identify and respond to less overt forms of child maltreatment. While some articles (14%) described positive experiences MRs had with the reporting process, negative experiences were reported in 73% of articles and included accounts of harm to therapeutic relationships and child death following removal from their family of origin.ConclusionsThe findings of this meta-synthesis suggest that there are many potentially harmful experiences associated with mandatory reporting and that research on the effectiveness of this process is urgently needed.

show abstract

“…MRs should communicate clearly with the child or family about their reporting duties and the limits of confidentiality. 108 112 …”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mandated reporters’ experiences with reporting child maltreatment: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

McTavish¹,

et al. 2017

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…According to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), when working with service users, social workers are advised to employ power with as this method is more service-usercentred and empowering (IFSW, 2012). However, situations may arise where social workers have to use power over ethically to ensure the welfare and safety of service users (McLaren, 2007). For instance, in a situation where a child is being abused by his or her parents, social workers may have to use power over to rescue the child from the abusive parents, even if it goes against the wishes of the parents.…”

Section: Theoretical Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding the incidence of street children in Accra, Ghana through the public opinion, mass media, recognition and judgement perspectives in social work

Teye

2023

ANZSWJ

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Introduction: Throughout the entire change process in social work practice, power plays a vital role. Social workers, organizations, governments, and service users exert some form of power in the process of addressing social problems and implementing interventions. The arguments in this article demonstrate how these various viewpoints affect the prevalence of children on the streets. Approach: Drawing from existing literature and diverse theories, this article critically examines the power dynamics and perspectives that emerge within the design and implementation of interventions for street children in Accra, Ghana, using the lens of social work, mass media, and public opinion, as well as the recognition and judgment in social work perspectives. When the predominance of street children in Ghana is examined through the lens of public opinion and mass media in social work, it becomes clear how Ghana's status as a liberal state influences the public and the media’s negative conception of street children. In addition, a critical analysis of the recognition and judgement theory in the Ghanaian context emphasizes how street children's fundamental rights are violated, which results in low self-esteem and confidence. Conclusions: By offering practical suggestions for social workers, the paper's conclusion contributes to social work research and practice. Social workers, governments, and organizations may help street children by creating and putting into action rescue plans, raising awareness through advertisements and social media campaigns, and allocating enough human and financial resources.

show abstract

“…Data from social work practice indicate that practitioners frequently avoid broaching certain topics in order to preserve a good quality of relationship (McLaren, 2007); it can be expected that researchers might behave similarly (Sieber, 1994). While some researchers favour an approach that will not go against the child's wishes and focuses on supporting the child in reaching decisions about raising an issue in a way they are comfortable with (Thomas and O'Kane, 1998), generally mandatory reporting requirements are taken to be non-negotiable.…”

Section: Confidentiality In Children's Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

Ethical Review and Children's Research in Ireland

Felzmann¹,

Sixsmith²,

O’Higgins³

et al. 2010

PsycEXTRA Dataset

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Exploring the Ethics of Forewarning: Social Workers, Confidentiality and Potential Child Abuse Disclosures

Cited by 11 publications

References 17 publications

Mandated reporters’ experiences with reporting child maltreatment: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Mandated reporters’ experiences with reporting child maltreatment: a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies

Understanding the incidence of street children in Accra, Ghana through the public opinion, mass media, recognition and judgement perspectives in social work

Ethical Review and Children's Research in Ireland

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About