This article will discuss the reasons why children end up in the social care system and how it can affect a child’s mental health.
There have been many studies carried out on children to examine the effects of being in the care system. As you can imagine, it can be an extremely traumatic event for a child to be taken out of the family home and into care.
Although this can have a negative impact on a child, it’s clear to see that many children are better off in care, many having been removed from abusive situations. A solicitors in Haverfordwest, and other areas in Pembrokeshire and South West Wales, can advise you on the appropriate steps to take if you are aware of a child in a situation like this.
Although social care certainly gets a bad rap, for children in these situations, it can be a safe haven. Here, we’ll discuss how going into social care may affect a child’s mental health, for good and bad.
When will a child be taken into care?
It’s important to remember that children get taken into care for various reasons. Some may be easier for the child to understand than others. However, there are certain grounds that mean a child is likely to be taken and put into the social care system.
Abuse
The main reasons why a child can wind up in social care comes down to abuse and neglect. There are three forms or abuse:
- Physical Abuse
- Emotional Abuse
- Sexual Abuse
- Substance Abuse
All three forms of abuse are grounds for children to be taken from the family, with some signs more obvious than others. Physical abuse is one the most common reasons for removal from the family, as signs are often picked up by others from bruising and marks on the skin that show violence at home.
Substance abuse refers to parents who suffer from a drug addiction or alcoholism. Parents with addictions often cannot provide adequate care for their children at home, if they’re not seen to be making progress with recovery. Children may be removed on a short-term basis, but this will be assessed depending.
Neglect
Neglect can come in many forms, some examples include:
- Emotional neglect .
- Basic needs neglected, for example, a clean environment, food and water are not provided.
- Medical neglect.
Some forms of neglect are easier to spot than others, for example a child being underweight and not getting basic nutritional needs would be easier to spot than emotional neglect. However, all are grounds for children to be placed in care.
Other reasons
Other reasons why a child may be taken into care include:
- A parent or guardian being incarnated
- Asylum Seekers temporarily placed in foster care
- Families facing acute stress
- Child abandonment
- Parent or guardian becoming ill
- Death of a parent or guardian
- Family dysfunction or inadequate care for children provided
How social care addresses mental health in children
Being put in the social care system can be simultaneously life-saving and traumatic for children. Here are some ways social care helps to address mental health issues and development for children in the care system:
Increased anxiety and depression
Although long-term going into care is ultimately a better decision overall, it’s not always easy for the children involved to understand this. They need time to unpick their emotions. Common feelings when going into social care can include feelings of anger, grief and betrayal, resulting in increased anxiety and depression.
Social workers and foster homes work tirelessly to help promote a child’s psychological wellbeing. With help, over time the children get a second chance with a family who can help them adopt healthier coping mechanisms and behavioural patterns, which can help later on in their life.
Stunted social development
It’s no surprise that children who end up in the care system are often stunted socially. For many who have only faced neglect or abuse from their primary care givers, it can have emotional and psychological affects that can take time to recover from.
When a child initially goes into care, this can be a traumatic experience, even if it’s for the better. Removing them from what they know can cause confusion and a feeling of betrayal, making it hard to trust anyone.
The feeling of not being able to trust and connect with others easily as some children their age can cause a gap in their social developments. However, during their time with a foster home or in social care, children can learn by their carer’s lead how to communicate appropriately, as they learn to share and resolve conflict in a healthier environment.
Potential gaps in education
As a result of growing up in a neglected way, often children don’t have the mental capacity to think about their education, such as homework. It’s all too easy for children who don’t have the push and drive from a supportive family to do well in school, and often they’re left behind educationally.
Thankfully, when a child is taken from a toxic environment and placed into a more loving situation, such as being placed in a foster home, they can begin to thrive.
Social workers will always keep the school informed on a child’s situation so that extra support can be given where needed in order to bridge any gaps in education. Studies have shown that children in long-term care actually achieve better grades than those in short term care.
Social Care can be a lifeline for some children…
Social care and foster homes may not seem like the most appealing system to anyone looking in. But, it’s important to note the good it can do for children. By removing them from a dangerous situation, the care system often gives neglected children a second chance.