The relevance of social work intervention with the institutionalised elderly

Abstract

Current literature indicates professional interest in child sexual abuse has emerged in the last few decades. This interest has pointed out the fact that residential care establishments need to follow principles of accepted good practice in preventing sexual abuse and dealing with the sexually abused child. Allegations of sexual abuse in an institutional setting are bound to create alarm which affects the children, their carers and managers. In such a crisis situation an inability to predict what will happen next will produce further anxiety, whereas clear policies and procedures will provide direction about how the situation should be managed and restore equilibrium within the establishments. The existence of clear policies and procedures will inform staff at all levels about the action they should take when they suspect abuse or when an allegation of abuse is made. These policies and procedures will be known to staff and residents of an institution as this should encourage reporting and aid recognition. This long essay seeks to discuss the various aspects of child sexual abuse and the need for policies and procedures for prevention and dealing with sexual abuse in residential care and analyses the current situation of Children's Homes in Malta. At the end of this long essay, a framework is proposed for the drawing up of policies and procedures for the prevention and dealing with sexually abused children within a residential set-up. This will act as a guideline for residential and field social workers in their interventions with children in care.