SOCIAL WORK STRATEGIES IN CHILD WELFARE
AND FAMILY PRESERVATION
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK
DIONAMIE D. QUINONES
RODELYN P. PATALINO
2025
SOCIAL WORK STRATEGIES IN CHILD WELFARE
AND FAMILY PRESERVATION
An Undergraduate Thesis Presented to the Faculty of North Valley College
Foundation Incorporated Lanao, Kidapawan City, in Partial Fulfillment of the
Requirements for the Degree
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK
DIONAMIE D. QUINONES
RODELYN P. PATALINO
2025
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
Children are the future prospects of society. The traits, culture, uniqueness
of communities is carried through generations by them. Therefore, they should be
protected and nurtured by the society. It is the responsibility of parents, families,
communities and the nation to serve for the cause. This article is an earnest effort
in understanding the historical, cultural and social contexts of child protection work.
In the Philippines, several agencies are responsible for enforcing child protection
laws and addressing complaints of child abuse or exploitation. The Department of
Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the lead agency in child protection,
while the Philippine National Police (PNP) and the National Bureau of Investigation
(NBI) have specialized units to handle cases of child abuse, exploitation, and
trafficking. The Philippines has robust child protection laws designed to safeguard
children from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. Key legislation includes Republic
Act Nos. 7610, 9262, 9344, 9775, and 9208. These laws provide comprehensive
protection for children and outline severe penalties for offenders, reflecting the
country’s commitment to upholding children’s rights (Chris, et. al., 2022) on their
study entitled “Child Protection and Family Work”
According to a study of (Yıldız & Tanrıverdi, 2018), the effects of child abuse
in the world are significant. Therefore, child abuse is a global problem that we must
pay attention to (Jameel & Shah, 2020). Consequently, society members play a
role in child abuse and neglect, especially in low-income families, because of their
health and social impacts of significant risks due to environmental conflict (Ma et
al., 2022).
The term ‘child protection agency’ refers to the governmental centers that
have the authority and ability to act through practices through various measures to
protect children and to affirm the right to protect children through participation and
expression of their goals as an active element (Vaga & Kutsar, 2022). Meanwhile,
a community-based child protection agency (CBCP) is: ‘A group of individuals at
community level who work in a coordinated manner to protect children from harm.
It can be formal or informal, initiated by local volunteers, or led by externally funded
individuals or organizations. These groups operate at the grassroots or district
level as opposed to a national or international level. Some examples of communitybased child protection mechanisms include child welfare committees, religious
groups that support orphans and other vulnerable children, and traditional
processes for responding to violations against children (The Alliance Group, 2019,
para. 7)
In connection to that, in the study of Nourah Almutairi, Siti Hajar A,B,A & Siti
Nur Edlyn (2023) entitled “Standardized Social Work Methods And Strategies In
The Roles Of Child Protection Workers: A Report From Kuwaitis Child Protection
Workers” child protection services in a community setting make frontline efforts to
protect maltreated children. Frontline efforts include acts of courage and
commitment by social workers, teachers, counselors, and child helpline workers.
These workers protect children from neglect and abuse, help them learn, and
provide much-needed connection and empathy (UNICEF, 2020).
Child Protection Office helps protect children from abuse and maltreatment,
ensuring children's health and development (Gale, 2021). According to Sala Roca
(2019), child protection offices are critical because they offer children a stable
place to live, providing a space for conducive socialization where children learn to
interact with one another (Almutairi., et. al., 2023).
In the recent study of Almutairi, & A,B,A &Edlyn (2003) about Standardized”
“Social Work Methods an essential asset of child protection offices is the child
protection workers. These social workers provide various services to assist
children and families in times of difficulty. These workers frequently work for nonprofit organizations or government employees. They assist families in resolving
disputes and gaining access to social support services. They might also work for
the welfare of children and intervene in cases of abuse or neglect (Indeed Editorial
Team, 2021).
Therefore, in order to address the existing gaps about the Social Work
Strategies in Child Welfare and Family Preservation, the challenges encountered
by the participants in applying social work strategies in child welfare and family
preservation and the motivational factors of the participants helping them in
applying social work strategies in child welfare and family preservation, future
actions will be taken to prevent abusive behavior are typically called 'Protection.' It
can also depict actions that encourage positive behavior or action. Research has
found that effective interventions against child maltreatment must simultaneously
promote protective factors and reduce risk factors to ensure the well-being of
children (Child Welfare Group, 2017).
Review of Related Literature
To gain more information and to gain a wider view of the study, a review of
related literature will be presented. Books as well as published and unpublished
thesis and dissertation and the use of the internet are included in this review. These
materials are in one way or another related in the study.
Historical Perspective
Modern child welfare service, where family preservation was first
developed, has its roots in the efforts of the charitable organization in the 19th
century to rescue children from abandonment, abuse, neglect and poverty. During
that era, placement in foster family homes and institutions was seen as necessary
to protect children from the harsh conditions associate with urban industrial growth,
including the perceived drunkenness, pauperism and promiscuity of immigrant
parents (Costin, Karger, & Stoesz, 2018).
In reaction to the specter of in institutions, shipped mass to in the Midwest,
or sent to jails with adult offenders, the notion of children being raised foster farm
families e they shared cells providing services to strengthen families and thereby
reduce the need for placement arose at the turn of the century. In 1899, the first
juvenile court was established in Chicago to regulate the treatment a control of
dependent children. Social work, which emerged during this period, has long been
concerned with services for children and families ( KI Turnbull, 2004).
The historical perspective of social work in child welfare and family
preservation has undergone significant transformations over time, marked by
evolving ideologies and shifting societal views. Early efforts in the United States
focused on "child saving," which aimed to remove children from harmful
environments and place them in institutions or foster homes. The establishment of
the Children's Bureau in 1912 played a pivotal role in promoting child welfare and
advocating for children's rights. Social work emerged as a profession in the late
19th and early 20th centuries, with a focus on addressing social problems and
supporting vulnerable populations, including children. However, the 1960s and
1970s saw a shift from the dominant "child saving" approach towards family
preservation, which emphasized keeping families intact and providing support to
prevent child removal. This shift was influenced by growing awareness of the
potential trauma associated with removing children from their families and the
recognition that many families could benefit from support and intervention (Marlou,
2020).
Nonetheless, the family preservation approach was not without its critics,
who argued that it could sometimes prioritize family preservation over child safety.
More recently, there has been increasing scrutiny of the social work profession's
role in the "family policing system," which refers to the child welfare system's
involvement in regulating and intervening in families. Some scholars argue that
social work has historically been complicit in the criminalization of Black families,
particularly during the 1960s and 1970s, highlighting the need for social workers to
critically examine their practices and address systemic biases within the child
welfare system. The field of child welfare continues to evolve, facing new
challenges and opportunities, with trauma-informed care becoming a central focus,
recognizing the impact of trauma on children and families and emphasizing the
need for interventions that promote healing and resilience. Cultural competency is
also increasingly recognized as essential, as social workers need to be sensitive
to the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the families they serve.
Collaboration and interagency coordination are crucial for effective child welfare
practice, as social workers often work with other professionals, such as law
enforcement, education, and healthcare (Marlou, 2020).
Child Protection and Family Preservation
According to Fluke et al., (2016), child welfare workers with less experience
are more likely to prioritize child safety over family preservation, while workers in
supervisory positions are more likely to prioritize family preservation. This is not to
say that supervisors lack care, but rather that their experience in practicing social
work may result in family-centered care and the value for family preservation is
heightened. As these authors noted, front line social workers “interpret and apply
agency directives in a manner that best aligns with their world views” (p. 210). The
extent to which positionality, biases, personal and professional beliefs, and work
environment may impact decision-making and outcomes for families is not well
studied (Fluke et al., 2017). The authors emphasize the need for ongoing training
and support for front-line social workers to ensure that they have the knowledge
and skills necessary to make informed decisions that prioritize the well-being of
families.
This perspective may allude to shortcomings in social work programs in
universities or may be motivated by new social workers hoping to support young
people independent of their families. Additionally, social workers with smaller
caseloads were found to have better reunification rates (40%) compared to those
with higher caseloads (16%) (as cited in Deane et al., 2017). This discrepancy was
not explicitly studied; however, reasons such as time for relational care, and less
crisis-based responses were noted. Child protection social workers at MCFD are
not tasked with supporting the families when a child is on a custody order (TCO,
CCO, etc.) therefore, their files require attention to be made for the child only. With
that, there is still responsibility put on social workers to explore permanency in
family and extended kin. Though, case management is not required (Pacheco
MSW, 2022) on her study about “Exploring the Role of Social Workers in School
Context.”
On the study of Pendersen et. al., (2022), they stated that the study of child
protection and family preservation strategies in social work is a complex and
evolving field, with a rich history of shifting paradigms and ongoing debates about
the most effective approaches. One study specifically examines the impact of the
family preservation model on child sexual abuse intervention strategies. The
author, G.J. Skibinski of 2019, notes that family preservation approaches aim to
divert offenders from prison into treatment, believing that this is faster, cheaper,
and less traumatic for the child. The study highlights the need for child sexual
abuse intervention professionals to adapt their activities, acting as collaborators,
consultants, liaisons, counselors, and advocates.
However, the author emphasizes the lack of research on the effectiveness
of these innovative intervention strategies and calls for continued research to
compare them to traditional approaches. Another source about “The Intersection
of Child Welfare Services and Public Assistance: An Analysis of Dual-System
Involvement and Successful Family Preservation Completion on A Maltreatment
Re-Report” Simon, D., et. al., (2021), a discussion forum on child welfare and
family preservation, explores the role of family preservation in child welfare and the
research surrounding it. The discussion prompts participants to consider the
research regarding family preservation and the assumptions about foster care,
specifically whether foster care is harmful for children. It also encourages reflection
on the benefits and shortfalls of permanency planning and family preservation and
which approach participants prefer. A comprehensive literature review on the
efficacy of family support and family preservation services in reducing child abuse
and neglect highlights the controversy surrounding their effectiveness (Simon, D.,
et. al., 2021).
The authors, Rebecca O'Reilly, Lesley Wilkes, Lauretta Luck, and Debra
Jackson of (2010), argue that intensive family preservation services and cognitive
behavioral therapy are the most effective interventions currently used by child
protection services. However, they emphasize the need for more contemporary
research on family-centered interventions for child abuse and neglect, as the
existing literature suggests that the most successful practice is a combination of
interventions applied simultaneously. A study examining the relationship between
service utilization and child removal in families with substantiated cases of
maltreatment sheds light on the effectiveness of different types of services. The
authors find that family preservation services, home-based services, and housing
services are associated with a decreased likelihood of child removal. Conversely,
family support services, transportation services, education services, case
management services, and day care services are associated with an increased
likelihood of child removal. The study suggests that certain services may be more
effective as primary or secondary prevention efforts, rather than tertiary
interventions provided after alleged child maltreatment has occurred.
The literature on child protection and family preservation strategies in social
work is vast and diverse, reflecting the complexity of the field. The family
preservation model has gained prominence, but its effectiveness remains a subject
of debate. Research suggests that a combination of interventions, including
intensive family preservation services and cognitive behavioral therapy, may be
most effective. The study of service utilization and child removal highlights the
importance of timing and type of intervention, with some services potentially more
effective as primary or secondary prevention efforts (Skibinski, 2019).
It is essential to conduct further research to evaluate the effectiveness of
different child protection and family preservation strategies in diverse contexts.
Studies should explore the long-term outcomes of various interventions, including
their impact on child well-being, family stability, and societal costs. Research
should also consider the potential for systemic biases and inequalities within child
welfare systems and develop culturally competent and trauma-informed
approaches. By continuing to examine the effectiveness of different strategies and
addressing systemic challenges, social workers can work towards a more effective
and equitable child welfare system that prioritizes the safety, well-being, and rights
of children (Johnson, 2008).
Relationship building
Another Study of (Rapsey & Rolston, 2020) A strong working alliancedefined as a collaborative partnership between professionals and families that are
characterized by trust, mutual respect, and shared decision-making- is crucial for
successful family preservation, as it allows professionals to better understand the
needs and goals of the family and to tailor interventions to meet those needs
(Steens et al., 2018). Trusting relationships between families and social workers
allow for families to safely develop insight into their needs as parents. This allows
for an environment where parents do not need to hide their struggles, and instead
can access support. The quality of the relationship between service providers and
families is a critical factor in the success of family preservation interventions.
A study by Walrath et al. (2015) found that the quality of the working alliance
between service providers and families was positively associated with family
preservation outcomes, such as improved family functioning and a decrease in the
number of children placed in out-of-home care. The authors also note the
importance of cultural competence in building a working alliance, as it allows
professionals to understand and respect the cultural backgrounds of the families
they work with (Steens et al., 2018). Cultural competence in family preservation
involves developing knowledge and skills to effectively work with families from
diverse backgrounds, and to ensure that services and interventions are culturally
appropriate and sensitive. A study by the University of Toronto found that cultural
competence was associated with better outcomes for families, including improved
engagement, retention, and satisfaction with services (George et al., 2014).
In addition, a study by the Children's Aid Society of Toronto found that
culturally competent service delivery was associated with increased family stability
and a lower likelihood of children being placed in care (Children's Aid Society of
Toronto, 2013). Factors such as in generational trauma and negative system
experiences impact both the families trust and engagement in services (Morris et
al., 2022).
Components of Family Preservation Services
The components of family preservation vary significantly across the
literature. Tracy (2017) describes family preservation as a highly intensive, brief
service that occurs in a client’s home and is based on the following goals: to protect
children, to maintain/strengthen family bonds, to stabilize crisis situations, to
increase the family's skills and competencies and to facilitate the family's use of
informal and formal resources. Long and Frederico (2014), add that family
preservation is for families who are at risk of having their children removed from
their care due to abuse, neglect, or other issues. They highlight that the program
is designed to help families address the underlying problems that put their children
at risk while keeping them together in their home environment. Similarly, Morris
and colleagues (2022) and Patwardhan and colleagues (2017) describe family
preservation as a program designed to prevent the out-of-home placement of
children by providing intensive and targeted in-home services to ‘vulnerable
families at risk of child maltreatment.’
They emphasize the importance of maintaining the family unit whenever
possible and keeping children connected to their families and communities. (Morris
et al., 2021). Patwardhan and colleagues (2017) add that the service is crisisoriented and for families who are at ‘imminent risk’ of having a child placed in outof-home care. In the article by Fluke and colleagues (2016), family preservation is
seen as a preventive approach that seeks to address the root causes of families'
challenges rather than solely focusing on the safety of the child. The authors note
that family preservation programs often involve a range of services such as
counseling, parent training, and financial assistance, among others (Fluke et al.,
2016).
Cheng (2010) and Cheng and Lo (2012) found that families who received
financial assistance and housing services were more likely to reunify. They add
that there is a “false dichotomy between child safety and family preservation” and
that it should be viewed as a spectrum (Fluke et al., 2016, p. 210). Lin and Lee
(2016) suggest that family preservation programs are designed to help families
overcome challenges and maintain their stability. According to these authors, the
goal of family preservation is to promote positive outcomes for both children and
families by addressing the root causes of the family's difficulties and providing them
with the resources they need to overcome them. Steens, Hermans, and van
Regenmortel (2018) describe family preservation as a service delivery approach
that seeks to prevent the removal of children from their families by providing
support, resources, and interventions that address the underlying issues that put
children at risk.
Based on the study of Seagun, Labounce (2023) on “How Literature on
Family Preservation Can Inform the Child Protection and Early Years' Service
Lines”, Family preservation can be delivered as an inpatient intervention program
that is aimed at preventing out-of-home placement by supporting parents and
children in the context of a single residential home (Rapsey & Rolston, 2020;
Deane et al., 2018). The Live-In Family Enhancement (LIFE) program is led by the
Metis Child, Family, and Community Services in Manitoba. The model includes
providing a wide range of resources to families on a 24-hour basis for 8-to-12month periods, including individual and family therapy, cultural and spiritual
activities, and life skills training (Deane et al., 2018). It is based on a strengthbased and trauma-informed approach that emphasizes cultural identity, family
engagement, and community involvement. The program's aim is to address the
‘root causes of family dysfunction’ and to support families in achieving long-term
healing and stability.
The authors stress the importance of the program being rooted in
Indigenous ways of knowing and emphasize that it is an Indigenous-led initiative.
The LIFE program also emphasizes the importance of incorporating cultural
practices and community involvement into family interventions, which is especially
relevant for Indigenous families who have experienced intergenerational traumas
and disconnection from their cultural heritage and lands (Labounce, S., 2023).
The program also prioritizes the healing and well-being of both the child and
the family as a whole, recognizing that family preservation requires addressing
underlying issues and strengthening relationships. Overall, this article highlights
the importance of taking a family-centered and culturally responsive approach to
social work (Deane et al., 2018).
Another residential family preservation program based out of New Zealand
provides intensive support and services to mothers and their children, for 6–12
months while simultaneously providing a parenting skills focused program aimed
to reduce the protection concerns. The program focuses on addressing the
underlying issues that may be contributing to family stress and conflict, such as
mental health and substance abuse problems, and provides families with the
resources and support they need to address these issues and build stronger
relationships. The effectiveness to reduce risk of future out-of-home placements in
this program still needs to be researched (Rapsey & Rolston, 2020).
Standardized social work methods for working with children at risk
Assessment Social workers conduct a comprehensive assessment to
understand the child's situation, including the nature and extent of the abuse, the
child's immediate needs, and available support systems. Standardized
assessment tools can help gather relevant information. An assessment model
used by Cambridgeshire County Council in the UK (2020) is that the child should
be included in the assessment process according to their age, identity, and
understanding and that the assessment should be conducted along with the social
worker. The social worker should work directly with the child to understand their
needs. The assessment should focus on the child.
Trauma-informed care: Social workers practicing trauma-informed care are
aware of the impact of trauma on a child's emotional and psychological health.
They design effective interventions in a safe and stimulating environment.
According to the Northern Australian Government Department of Child Protection
(2022), the practice approach of child-based trauma-informed care is based on
safety, family support to assist caregivers by addressing concerns about the
harmed child, support for child and family reunification, and the use of adoption
processes. It is based on appropriateness.
Putting the child's best interests first: social workers treat children appropriately
according to their stage of development, actively listen to their concerns, and
involve them in choices about their care and safety. This approach focuses on
community-based child protection mechanisms and procedures that prioritize the
best interests of the child (UNHCR, 2021). (4) Safety planning: The development
of safety plans is necessary to protect abused children from future harm. Social
workers work with families and other key partners to develop a safety plan
customized to the child's risks and needs. In its plan to keep children safe, the
Philippine Government established the Department of Social Services (2020) to
help parents listen and find solutions to their children's problems, as well as to help
organizations understand and address existing problems. They strive to focus on
and support the child in their care.
Standardized Social Work Strategies working with at-risk children
Social workers use standardized strategies, competencies and approaches
to help abused children in care in child protection institutions. The main strategies
often used by social workers are: Crisis intervention: Children who have been
abused can be at serious risk or severely distressed. Social workers therefore use
a crisis intervention approach through a training approach for child protection
workers led by a child care trainer with crisis intervention experience (Holden,
2022) to protect and emotionally support children. This is a method of dealing with
crises by accurately identifying the purpose that created the crisis, determining
why the crisis was created, developing a scientific intervention plan, and tailoring
the intervention to the crisis for each case (Asiri, 2020).
Case management: Good case management involves organizing services,
understanding development, and representing the needs of the child. Social
workers ensure that everyone has access to and utilizes all available resources.
According to the Global Social Work Workforce Alliance (2016), case management
of children at risk is described in seven interrelated steps. Previous steps can be
returned if the level of severity requires it. The steps start with the identification of
the case, followed, if necessary, by case registration. Then, once the assessment
of the child on an individual basis has been completed, the appropriate support for
the child is assessed. The next step is to implement the action plan through direct
support to the child. The last step is to follow up on the case and make sure that
the goals of the plan are achieved. Finally, if the objectives are met, the case is
closed.
Established strategies for ensuring the children’s safety and wellbeing
Nourah Almutairi, Siti Hajar A,B,A & Siti Nur Edlyn (2023), on their studies,
the interviews also provided insight into the approaches, skills, and therapeutic
services needed to support children at risk of admission to child protection
institutions. The interviews revealed that child protection workers adopt a range of
approaches to ensure the welfare and safety of abused children admitted to child
protection institutions. These strategies include: 1) Providing a safe and private
environment where children can speak freely; according to Scourfield (2018), child
protection can be facilitated when children feel respected. 2) Teaching children at
risk and their families how to identify and avoid potential perpetrators; Bhabha
(2018) suggests different ways of identifying and avoiding such perpetrators. (3)
Developing measures to protect children from violence; according to Mathews
Collin-Vézina (2019), these measures include conducting thorough research
before legislation is adopted and involving all stakeholders in the process of
creating and formulating legislation.
According to Scourfield (2019), Bhabha (2018), and Mathews & CollinVézina (2019), the need to provide a safe and supportive environment for abused
children is emphasized. Indeed, various studies emphasize the importance of
providing a safe and private environment for abused children to share their
experiences of neglect and abuse; NASW (2021) states that privacy and
confidentiality are essential when interacting with abused children. Furthermore, a
variety of interventions, including safety measures, have been shown to reduce
the likelihood of recurrence of abuse and harm and improve the well-being and
safety of abused children.
Counselling services specifically for maltreated children
Counseling services provided to abused children. Interviews revealed that
psychologists working in child welfare centers frequently provide counseling
services to abused children. These services are designed to meet the
psychological and emotional needs of abused and neglected children. While some
respondents indicated that providing counseling and guidance is part of their work,
a significant number of respondents indicated that these services are primarily
provided by specialized agencies and external organizations (Hajar, Z. Siti Nur
Edlyn, S.F. Almutairi Nourah, A.B.A., 2023).
Abu Rumman et al. (2018) noted that there are centers where the role of
social workers and counseling is not activated, as this risks leading to an aversion
to this expertise. Therefore, legislation and policies regarding the role of social
workers should be established. Previous research has often highlighted the value
of psychosocial interventions for abused and neglected children; Hussain (2018)
highlights the effectiveness of evidence-based therapy in minimizing trauma-
related symptoms in abused children. Scourfield (2019) emphasizes the need for
understanding the level of the child before interventions.
Safety plans for maltreated children
Safety planning is needed to ensure the continued well-being and safety of
abused children when they are reunified with their caregivers and placed in care.
Safety planning is undoubtedly an essential component of child protection
programs, particularly in the reunification of abused children with their parents or
caregivers. Preventive measures need to be identified, potential risks assessed
and procedures put in place to ensure the safety and well-being of children upon
reunification with their families (Olszowy et al., 2020).
A well-implemented safety plan reduces the likelihood of maltreatment
recurring and promotes positive outcomes for children and families. Consequently,
the safety and well-being of maltreated children is jeopardized by the lack of a
family safety plan. The lack of adequate safety planning can have several harmful
effects. First, children may be exposed to repeated neglect and abuse. Research
shows that the lack of a safety plan increases the likelihood of repeated abuse and
re-entry into the child protection system (Kress et al., 2012) The ability of child
protection workers to adequately analyze and support families is hampered by the
lack of a planned approach and possibly the inability to address persistent threats
and barriers (World Health Organization (WHO), 2024), on their study about “Child
Protection Act”.
Theoretical Framework
Family Systems Theory (FST)
Is an approach to understand human functioning that focuses on
interactions between people in a family and between the family and the context(s)
in which that family is embedded. Family systems theory has been applied to a
wide variety of areas including psychotherapy in general and family therapy in
particular (working from a systems framework with emotional, behavioral, or
relational symptoms in individual, couples, and families); school systems;
community problems (e.g., working with polarized disputes and facilitating ‘difficult
conversations’ as in the Public Conversations Project, peace studies, nonviolence
training); organizations (consulting, leadership training, coaching); and health
care (medical family therapy – tracking the emotional dynamics of illness and
facilitating collaboration among patients, families, providers, and health care
systems) (Allan, M., 2019).
According to a family systems perspective, an individual's functioning is
determined not so much by intrapsychic factors as by a person's place in the
system(s) in which he or she finds himself or herself, subject to the pushes and
pulls of the system, including competing emotional demands, role definitions and
expectations, boundary and hierarchy issues, coalitions and collusions, loyalty
conflicts, family and institutional culture and belief systems, double binds,
projective identifications, and systemic anxiety. In addition, self-correcting and selfreinforcing feedback loops in a system can either facilitate or hinder pathology or
health, breakdown or resilience (Allan, M., 2019).
Moreover, on the study of Allan, M., (2019), a thorough understanding of
family systems theory requires an elucidation of the foundational contributions of
systems theory itself. Systems theory is a field that informed and inspired the
founders of the family therapy field and upon which family systems theory is based
in many important respects. Unfortunately, as the field of family therapy has
developed, the important contributions of systems theory to the theoretical
foundations of the field have too often been neglected, undervalued, or only dimly
understood. The following discussion will review the key concepts of systems
theory that are most relevant to family systems theory and family therapy, followed
by a description of the primary schools of family therapy and enduring family
systems concepts and family therapy techniques. The concepts throughout will be
illustrated with both actual and hypothetical clinical case examples.
In connection to that, family systems theory, central to social work, views
the family as an interconnected unit where each member shapes and is shaped by
others. It emphasizes reciprocal relationships, communication patterns, roles, and
boundaries within families. Understanding family systems is crucial in recognizing
the interplay between family dynamics and individual well-being. Social workers
support positive change by assessing family functioning, addressing relational
dynamics, and enhancing overall well-being. This theory offers insights into the
root causes of individual struggles, informing interventions for resilience and
healing within the family unit (Jacob, T., 2021).
Generally, in family systems theory, the family is viewed as a system
composed of interrelated parts, such that a problem for any member of a family
has an effect on all others, and changes in any member result in adaptations
among all other family members.
Social Welfare Theory (SWT)
Social welfare theory is the branch of study that analyzes and formulates
propositions about the social welfare in different economic situations. It focuses on
the analysis of social welfare, which is defined as the happiness of individuals in a
society. The concept of welfare separates the subjective/hedonic element from the
eudemonic element, considering the latter as an issue in morality rather than in the
concept of welfare or happiness (Marco, G., 2018). Theories of welfare have been
developed in various social science disciplines, each with its own historical and
intellectual background, value assumptions, and theoretical concepts. These
theories can be categorized into groups such as hedonistic, desire theories, and
objective list theories in philosophy, and developmental psychology, personality
psychology, and clinical psychology in psychology.
According to him, the impact of digital technologies on well-being is also
examined, with varying assessments of its effects on different social groups. The
notion of a welfare state is seen as an ideological construction influenced by the
accumulation of capital, and concepts like "commodification" and "de-
commodification" are criticized in welfare theory. A constructive approach to
evaluating social welfare is proposed, prioritizing the worse-off and respecting
individual preferences over consumption, work, and leisure.
Research Objectives
1. To understand the experiences of Social Workers in implementing child
welfare and family preservation strategies.
2. To investigate the challenges that Social Workers face in balancing child
safety and family preservation goals.
3. To explore the perceptions of families regarding the effectiveness of Social
Work interventions in preserving family unity.
Scope and Limitations of the study
Generally, this study focuses mainly on the social worker strategies in child
welfare and family preservation. The participants of the study are also limited to
the selected Social Worker who handled CICL (Child In-Conflict with the Law) in
North Cotabato.
Definition of Terms
In order to understand the different terms in the study, the following terminologies
were defined operationally.
Social Work- it refers to course or a profession in which trained professionals are
devoted to helping vulnerable people and communities work through challenges
they face in everyday life.
Strategies – it refers to case management, counseling, advocacy, education, and
community organization. A social worker chooses strategies based on a client's
situation and goals.
Child Welfare – it refers to specialize in building upon the strengths within a family
and their community to help provide a safe and loving environment for their
children.
Family Preservation- refers to the process of strengthening families so they can
stay together and thrive. It is a proactive approach that helps families identify and
address the issues that put them at risk of separating.
Student- it refers to the person who is exploring their roles as social work students
in addressing their problems in the school context.
Expected Outputs of the Study
This study is expected to determine the social worker strategies in exploring and
addressing their problems regarding child welfare and family preservation in North
Cotabato.
CHAPTER 2
METHODOLOGY
This chapter presents the methods and procedures that will be used in this
study which include research design of the respondents of the study, role of the
researcher, research participants and materials to be used, data collection
procedure and data analysis.
Research Design
This research will use descriptive-qualitative research design considered
appropriate because it enables the researcher to generate non-numerical data
through in-depth interview procedures.
The descriptive part will be used to determine the role of the social workers
who in exploring their problems in handling Child Welfare in the qualitative part will
be used to investigate the social workers’ roles in exploring their problems in the
context of school for the school year 2024-2025.
Research Locale and Participants
The participants of this study will be five (5) purposively selected Social
Workers in Kidapawan City. They should be active and regular Social Workers.
The researcher will utilize a self-made questionnaire instrument for in-depth
interviews validated by an expert. These include a letter of permission given to the
dean, and to the participants of the study. The researcher will use a recorder,
specifically a cell phone device to record the responses of the participants.
Research Instrument
In this study, the researchers will utilize the following materials to gather
data: interview guide questions and audio/voice recorder. Interview guide
questions as a research instrument that serve as the lead for the researchers to
ask the informants efficiently in answering the research questions and lead the
informants themselves to construct their responses and provide comprehensive
information about the topic. Moreover, the interview guide questions are
composing two (2) main questions with corresponding probing questions to ensure
that the informants elaborate their answers. On the other hand, a voice or audio
recorder are used to document the response of each informant from answering the
set guided questions provided by the researchers.
Data Gathering Procedure
A letter of permission to conduct this study was sent to the Dean of North
Valley Colleges Inc. After the approval, a letter of consent will be forwarded to the
selected participants of the study. Upon the approval of all, the researcher will
personally orient the participants regarding the mechanics of research work, and
then administer the interview following the guide questions for in-depth interview.
The researcher will use a recorder, specifically a cell phone device to obtain the
responses of the participants. The data gathered from the respondents will be
analyzed and interpreted.
Data Analysis
This study will utilize the following data tools in analyzing the gathered data.
This research study will use thematic analysis to determine the roles of the social
workers, challenges they have encountered, and motivational factors that the
participants have in exploring their problems in the context of school for the school
year 2024-2025.
Validity
The researchers will have their research guide questionnaires subjected for
face validation to the expert, prior to administration of the interview. After
validation, the researchers will now formally administer the interview with the use
of the validated guide questionnaires.
The face validity is considered the most basic type of validity and it is
associated with a highest level of subjectivity; ensuring that the survey
questionnaires of this study do not contain common errors such as leading,
confusing or double-barreled questions.
Trustworthiness
To ensure and support the quality of the study, researchers employ the
consensus of trustworthiness. Trustworthiness will be the degree of confidence in
interpretation, methods and data (Polit & Beck, 2014). The optimal parameters for
determining trustworthiness are frequently contested by qualitative researchers.
However, four (4) most pertinent consensuses are commonly used: credibility,
transferability, dependability and confirmability (Kyngas, Kaariainen & Elo, 2020).
The overall study will be validating these four (4) parameters.
Credibility refers to the truth of the data or the participant views and the
interpretation and representation of them by the researcher (Polit & Beck, 2012).
Researchers will employ credibility by entailing that the findings of study are
plausible in the perception of the research participants. In addition, interview
guided questions will be validated by the research adviser to ensure that the data
gathered represents true phenomena.
Transferability points to the extent to which findings are useful to other settings
and readers determine how applicable the findings are to their situations (Polit &
Beck, 2014). Researchers will provide adequate detail of context such as
transcriptions and audit trails for readers to note and compare them to specific
environments they are familiar with.
Dependability indicates that the findings are consistent and could be replicated
(Kyngäs et al., 2020). Researchers will present the study to research experts to
validate and construct various hypothetical notions for them to review. Moreover,
related articles are consulted by the researchers prior to the discussion of the
study.
Conformability is the extent to which the findings of the inquiry could be validated
or corroborated by other researchers, and it is concerned with demonstrating that
the data and interpretations of the findings are clearly drawn from the data and not
in the researcher’s imagination. (Baxter & Eyles, 1997; Tobin & Begley, 2004).
Researchers will address confirmability through audit trail and documentation of
the study.
Ethical Consideration
The researchers will give the participants a written consent form, and they will
discuss with them the benefits and condition of their participation. The participants
will voluntarily join the study, and they may express their withdrawal anytime or
discontinue the interview or request that their interview data be disregarded at any
time. The researchers will be securing the data for privacy purposes. All
participants will be treated fairly and will not be discriminated against in any way.
The recorded video and verbal interview shall not be uploaded to any online
platforms and will not be reused. The participants will be assigned a code name.
The list connecting their name to the code name and this informed consent will be
kept. When the study is completed and the data have been analyzed, the list and
the recorded files will be destroyed. The researchers would also ask the
participants for permission to record the session during the interview. The
recording will be used to transcribe the results.
The study will use one research instrument, the in-depth interview guide
done virtually. It will be utilized to explore the problems of Social Workers who
handled CICL (Child In-Conflict with the Law) in North Cotabato.
Role of the Researcher
The researchers will conduct this study to collect, analyse, and interpret
data about the roles of Social Workers in North Cotabato.
The researcher is expected to show ethical consideration to the participants,
to the gathered data and result of the study.
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APPENDICES
Informed Consent
INFORMED CONSENT STATEMENT
Introduction
This study is entitled Social Work Strategies in Child Welfare and Family
Preservation.
Purpose
This study is in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the program.
Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
Process
The focus of the study is to determine the strategies of social work in child
welfare and family preservation.
Participant Confidentiality
All information gathered for the study including opinions and personal
information, will be treated with the highest confidentiality. This will be utilized
exclusively.
Cancellation Of Consent and Authorization. The participation in this study is
voluntary. You may inform the researcher if you wish not to participate or to answer
the interview.
Research Instrument
Interview Question Guide
Research Objectives Interview Question
Probing Question
Main Question
1. To understand the 1.
What
are
experience of social social
workers
implementing
the 1. How do social
work workers
balance
in strategies in child the need for child
child welfare and family protection with the
welfare and family preservation
in goal
of
family
preservation
terms of
preservation, and
strategies.
A. Family
what
B. Education
strategies are most
C. Community
effective
specific
in
supporting families
to
stay
together
while ensuring the
safety
and
well-
being of the child?"
2. To investigate the 2.
challenges
What
that challenges
are
the 1. What are the key
barriers
social
Social Workers face encountered by the workers encounter
in
balancing
child participants
in when
trying
to
safety
and
family applying social work implement
preservation goals.
strategies in child effective strategies
welfare and family in child welfare and
preservation?
family
preservation, and
how
do
these
challenges impact
their
ability
to
support families in
maintaining
child
safety
well-
and
being.
3.To
explore
perceptions
families
the 3.What
are
the 3. What personal,
of motivational factors professional,
or
regarding of the participants contextual factors
the effectiveness of helping
Social
them
in influence
social
Work applying social work workers'
interventions
in strategies in child commitment
preserving
family welfare and family applying strategies
unity.
preservation?
to
for child welfare
and
preservation.
family