Children and Youth Issues (SWK350)

This course equips students with comprehensive knowledge and essential skills in social work focused on children and youth. Students will gain a deep understanding of contemporary issues impacting child and youth development, including child protection needs and risk issues, and the analysis of risky behaviours among at-risk populations. They will also explore critical issues surrounding the protection of children and youth, emphasizing the importance of safety, ethical and legal considerations. Key skills emphasized in the course include the ability to assess the needs and risks of children and youth, formulate effective interventions to enhance their safety and well-being, and employ peer and family interventions to support at-risk individuals. Topics covered range from best practices in casework and theories of needs and risk assessment to addressing family disruptions, financial insecurities, and child abuse. The course also addresses contemporary issues such as bullying, mental health, and risky sexual behaviours, providing students with comprehensive insights into child and youth-centric strategies and intervention approaches in social work settings.

• Best practices of casework for children and youths.
• Theories and frameworks for needs and risk assessment.
• Laws and ethics related to children and youths.
• Family disruptions and impact on children and youths from single, divorced, and blended families.
• Impact of financial, food and housing insecurities on marginalised children and youths.
• Child abuse and statutory child protective framework.
• Safety, risk, protective and needs factors in child protection assessment.
• Safety planning and intervention approaches in child protection social work.
• Bullying, mental health, youth suicide and school-based social work.
• School dropouts and juvenile delinquency.
• Risky sexual behaviours: pornography addiction, underage sex, and teenage pregnancy.
• Family guidance order, peer and family interventions.

• Discuss contemporary issues impacting children and youth and their impact on development.
• Analyse the nature and scope of risky behaviours in at-risk children and youths.
• Examine issues around the protection of children and youths.
• Assess the needs and risks of children and youths.
• Formulate interventions to promote the safety and well-being of children and youths.
• Use peer and family interventions to help at-risk children and youths.