Case studies fore Child protection

Case studies fore Child protection unit assignment 2
Case study one
James Smith (52) is a residential worker in a children’s home for males and females aged between
11 and 16. He has been a member of staff for 10 years and is a Senior residential worker. Due to the
sometimes challenging nature of the job there is a high turnover of agency staff and there are very
few long term staff – including a line manager who manages a number of placements in the county
and therefore have limited oversight of the day to day running of the unit.
In the home are 8 children who have been difficult to place in foster care arrangements due to
emotional and behavioural difficulties.
As a new member of staff you have become aware that Mr Smith has a ‘casual’ approach to
maintain the boundaries (smoking, staying up past curfew) and rules and appears to isolate two
females particular for preferential treatment.
You become increasingly concerned when you see Mr James with a 15 year old resident (Sarah) in
the High street on a Saturday afternoon (and Mr James is ‘off shift’ having finished a waking night
shift from Friday). Both are smoking. She is a new resident to the home with a history of
vulnerability and exploitation connected to a mild learning difficulty. She is currently in placement
while her step father is awaiting sentencing for sexual offences (not against Sarah). Mr Smith sees
you and explains that this is a ‘key work session’ – something that he has done in the past with other
residents.
When you arrive on shift Monday Morning James asks for a ‘private word’ in the office (as the
manager is off duty) – away from other staff members. He explains that he had broken protocol on
the Saturday as the new girl was struggling with settling in and had threatened to run away. He then
asks that you do not tell the manager as he had previously received a verbal warning on rule
breaking – and that he doesn’t want to lose his job.
Later that day another female resident tells you to ‘watch out for Mr James’. When you ask what
that means she replies that ‘he is dodgy…you know what I mean”.
You must answer BOTH Questions:
1) With specific reference to procedure, what would it be advisable for the worker to do now?
Illustrate your understanding of the process required around the situation of the disclosure.

2) Demonstrate your understanding of the appropriate legislation in determining the expediency of
action required – using appropriate policy and framework guidelines to inform your decision
making.