LO1: Identify risk and vulnerability of children in the family context

CYP 6092: Difficulties Families Face

Assessment Pack contents:

Short introduction to the task.

Key terms

Key resources

Template to outline structure and content

Rubric to understand marking criteria

Video to explain it.

Short introduction to the task:

Students are required to research and select one article online to critique in relation to the learning outcomes for the module. The article should be based on an issue or difficulty that a family is experiencing (this cannot be the same topic as the booklet). Students should follow the learning outcomes as a guide in their critique.

Step 1: Choose an online newspaper article on a difficulty a family may face

• Own choice 
• Can be something from the module or external to it
• Different topic to the booklet

Step 2: Critique the article’s understanding of the difficulty in relation to the learning objectives

Key terms

Poverty

Individual rights

Collective responsibilities

Lone Parenthood

Intervention

Anti-racist

Vulnerabilities

Empowerment

Key resources

Barlow, J. (2010) Substance misuse the implications of research, policy and practice, London/Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Buchanan, J. & Carnwell, R. (2009) Effective practice in health, social care, and criminal justice a partnership approach, Maidenhead: Open University Press

Cash, T. F. and Smolak, L. (2011) Body image; a handbook of science, practice, and prevention, New York, The Guildford Press

Cole, T. (2010) How to Help Children and Young People with Complex Behavioural Difficulties: A Guide for Practitioners, London/Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley Publishers

Connolly, M. and Morris, K. (2012) Understanding child and family welfare, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Daniel, B., Wassell, S. & Gilligan, R. (2010) Child development for childcare and protection workers, London & Philadelphia: Jessica Kingsley

Davies, M. (2012) Social Work with Children and Families, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

Geldard, K. (2012) Practical Interventions for young people at risk, London: Sage

Grant, K.B. and Ray, J.A. (2017). Home, School and Community Collaboration. London: Sage.

Groen, M. & van Lawick, J. (2009) Intimate warfare – regarding the fragility of family relations, UK: Karnac Books.

Harris, B. (2011) Working with distressed young people, Exeter, Learning Matters.

Hussein Rassool, G. (2010) Addiction for nurses, Wiley-Blackwell

Jones, P. & Welch, S. (2010) Rethinking children`s rights - attitudes in contemporary society (new childhoods), London & New York: Continuum International Publishing Group

Koubel, G. and Bungay, H. (2012) Rights, Risks and Responsibilities, Basingstoke: Palgrave Macmillan

MacLeod, C. (2011) Adolescence, pregnancy and abortion constructing a threat of degeneration, London/New York: Routledge.

Miller-errin, C.L., Perrin, R.D. and Renzetti, C.M. (2017). Violence and Maltreatment in Intimate Relationships. London: Sage.

Plant, M.A., Robertson. R., Plant, M. & Miller, P. (2011) Drug Nation - patterns, problems, panics, and policies, Oxford/New York: Oxford University Press

Ravenhill, M. (2008) The culture of homelessness, Hampshire/Burlington USA: Ashgate Publishing

Turner, F.J. (2011) Social work treatment – interlocking theoretical approaches, New York: Oxford University Press

Please consider the learning outcomes that you need to cover in your work.

Introduction (200 words)

Introduce what you will cover in your Media review. You may wish to consider the following;

• What is the difficulty highlighted in the article you have chosen e.g. Homelessness, Low income, Low employment rates, Inflation in the UK, Domestic Abuse, High caseloads in social care etc.
• Why is this difficulty an issue in the UK? Are there statistics that support this?
• What is the role of the media in reporting?
• What will you seek to do in this media review?

Summary of the media article (250 words)

• Who is the author?
• Where is it published and when?
• What type of publication is it? ( e.g. Newspaper Article, Online Tabloid)
• What is it about?
• What are the key points / messages in the article

Critique the content in relation to the leaning objectives (1000 words)

• How accurately has the article portrayed the difficulty that families face in terms of risks and vulnerabilities of children?
• How accurately has it portrayed the range of problems families face in relation to your topic?
• Have methods of effective intervention been mentioned and evaluated (statutory and voluntary services)? If not you must mention what effective interventions are available.
• Has empowerment of families been referred to? If not mention how can families be empowered by interventions
• What does the article tell us about the role of the state in protecting the vulnerable? What do we know about the role of the state in protecting families in relation to the topic chosen? Can the state do more? Can we learn from other countries?
• Does the article discuss individual rights and freedoms and collective responsibilities for parenting? Consider debates on voluntary and enforced support/interventions/ policy and the rights and responsibilities of parents

Evaluate the sources and evidence used by the article (300 words)

• How knowledgeable and convincing is the article on the topic overall based on arguments above?
• Also think about: Who are the main spokespeople on the topic, and how are they being quoted? Are they mainly advocates, policymakers, academic experts, etc.?
• How often are various spokespeople quoted and in what context? Are the sources convincing or not?
• What impact does the choice of spokespeople have on the article’s persuasion and impact? 
• Does the background of the reporters or the organisation they are representing have an influence on the piece?
• What are the wider societal, political and historical context of the article- what impact could this have?
• Are there any ethical issues regarding the topic matter, people involved, stance of the piece?  E.g. does the article discriminate against vulnerable groups of parents further? 

Conclusion (250 words)

• Summarise and conclude the main points in your assignment
• Do not include new information here!

Other considerations:

• To review an article you must have a good understanding of the topic itself by reading and researching widely on the issues
• Avoid a descriptive analysis;
• Incorporate theory where applicable (e.g. government ideologies, family systems, multi-agency working etc.);
• Think about the module as a whole and the benefits of using resources more widely. 

General advice

• Write in the third person
• Approach should be academic-use appropriate academic language and terminology
• Correct referencing style in the text and reference list
• Proofread

** The Emphasis is on the CRITIQUE and EVALUATION which is supported by EVIDENCE from your independent research and reading **

EXAMPLES:

• LO1: Identify risk and vulnerability of children in the family context

The article highlights the risks and vulnerabilities of children born to teenage parents such as . . . . . There are some studies which support the claims made by the author in relating to x,y,z. However the findings reported in the article with regards to . . .  is only partially supported by existing research findings. More recent reports demonstrate that . . . 

• LO2: Interpret the range of problems families face and some methods of effective intervention and empowerment

The media article suggests that teenage parents can face a number of difficulties prior to the conception and after the birth as a family such as . .. In support research has shown that . . . . . Other problems families may face include. . . There are a number of support and intervention services available for young parents, as outlined by the writer of the article, such as. . . . Other statutory and voluntary interventions include . . . Effectiveness of interventions and empowerment of families are not referred to in the article. Studies have found that the most effective interventions are characterised by the following . . .  and research suggests. . .  Empowerment of families can be seen in the following ways. . . . As illustrated by studies by . . .

• LO3: Appraise the role of the state in protecting the vulnerable

When discussing teenage parenthood, the article presents a strong political view on the issue as demonstrated by comments such as. . . . The piece partially explains the Government’s role in supporting young parent, and other policy documents include. . . Contemporarily the government have introduced x, y, z, measures which some authors claim are effective in protecting young parents and their children. However Government support has also been criticised due to . . .  Authors such as . . . outlined counterarguments which suggest that support should include.

• LO4: Debate the conflict between individual rights and freedoms and collective responsibilities for parenting

The article pinpoints a number of practitioners who work with teenage parents on both a universal and targeted level, to help support their transition into parenthood and beyond. However when considering the support available, this can be seen in terms of surveillance on the one hand and support on the other by young mothers and fathers. For example, research by x,y,z, has demonstrated that. . . . In opposition studies by x,y,z have shown. .

HINT: discuss the Government’s viewpoints of families and how to support them. Link this to what the government actually do! Refer to block 1 info and sessions.

ASSESMENT CHECKLIST

• Have you read and understood the assessment criteria?
• Have you addressed the learning outcomes? You will lose marks and your work may even be failed if you have not.
• Have you kept to the word count?
• Have you demonstrated that you can write critically? Show you have supported your arguments using academic literature; you have presented ideas and information which challenges thinking, and you have offered discussion points which extends your own or others’ viewpoints.
• Have you maintained an academic tone throughout your work? Have you tried to avoid repeating the same words? Have you attempted to use the technical language of your subject area?
• Have you properly referenced the sources you have used?
• Have you checked that the referencing/bibliography in your assignment is in line with your course requirements?
• Have you proof-read your work and used spellcheck software to check your spelling and grammar? Have you made sure your font size, colour, style, line spacing and margins are consistent and appropriate to the work as specified by your tutor?
• Can you confirm that the work submitted is your own and not plagiarised