The Struggles of Sam: A Mixed Race Child in Foster Care

to neglect or 'omission', which refers to adults failing to provide a child's fundamental necessities, including food, warmth, medical attention and supervision. Neglect may also encompass emotional abuse resulting from a lack of love and affection. If a child is affected by neglect, an Emergency Protection Order may be granted under Section 44 of the Children Act 1989 in cases where immediate protection is necessary.

Under Section 44 of the Children's Act 1989, social services can temporarily act as a parent for up to 8 days, with the option to extend to 15 days. Should children face potential harm, Section 46 permits their removal or measures taken to guarantee their safety. In 1994, Hendrick noted the implementation of penalties for child mistreatment and the authorization for child removal as a consequence. While authorities such as the police and social services hold the ability to intervene in familial affairs, they must refrain unless explicit evidence of harm or danger to the child surfaces.

As per the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 and common law, the police are authorized to enter any premises for safeguarding life or limb. In such cases, local authorities hold primary responsibility for taking action and must work closely with healthcare professionals and other specialists. State parties have a legal obligation as per Article 19 of The Convention on the Rights of the Child, to take appropriate measures for protecting children from maltreatment, neglect, abuse, violence, exploitation, and sexual abuse when they are under parental care or guardianship. Local authorities provide crucial services including protection, safety measures, advice and foster care for vulnerable children who may be at risk. As of March 2002 alone

there was an increase in looked-after children from 10,900 in the previous year to around 11,200 which is approximately a 3% rise.

When providing foster care services, agencies should utilize the National Standards to evaluate their service provision. These standards align with UK child care laws and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child and aim to improve the quality of life for children in out-of-home care. Foster carers will undergo evaluations to identify areas that need improvement to meet necessary criteria. It is essential to recognize that Sam's separation from his parents is a significant concern.

Adapting to multiple parental figures and unrelated children can be a challenge. However, an unmarried father, such as Sam's dad, can become a legal parent under the Children Act 1989 through a Parental Responsibility order, regardless of whether or not he already has parental responsibility. This would make him responsible for providing support.

A social worker may perform an evaluation for Sam's mother. The social worker may gather input from individuals familiar with her to create a written plan. The plan may involve collaboration between parents and families, assistance for the family at a family center, health check-ups for the child's weight and wellness, and updates on the child's development. Voluntary agencies may also be involved (Williams, K. ; Gardner, R. 1993), e.

Both the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) and Save the Children are dedicated to discovering novel approaches and identifying fresh requirements in healthcare, education, and safeguarding children from harm. NSPCC was established in New York, London, and Glasgow with the objective of protecting children from abuse through legal intervention if necessary. As

a prominent UK charity that adheres to principles outlined by the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, NSPCC has lawful permission to intervene when child abuse is suspected.

Prioritizing the welfare of children is vital, especially in protecting them from exploitation and violence. It's imperative to guarantee that each child has access to support systems and opportunities for maximum development. Taking responsibility for providing care and treating all children with respect is crucial. For more details, kindly visit http://www.nspcc.org.

Within the

tag of the website source: uk/html/home/aboutus/aboutus.htm, it can be discovered that NCH (UK) is a prominent charity organization which aids more than 98,000 at-risk children, youth and their families across over 480 projects with the goal of empowering them to reach their maximum potential.The URL for the National Children's Hospital in the UK is http://www.nch.org.uk/default.asp.

According to Thorpe's (1995) view, parents who experience poverty and stress should not be labeled as child abusers for neglecting their children. The child's growth and development can serve as signs of neglect.

Does the child appear smaller than their age or exhibit ill-fitting clothing, eating difficulties or a constant hunger and fearful relationship with their parents? Consider looking for signs of violence such as unusual bruising on areas like the upper arm and ear lobe. Emotional behavior is also a potential indicator.

One of the key indicators of child abuse is a change in behavior such as aggression, withdrawal, or bedwetting. It's crucial to listen to the child's own account as they rarely lie about abuse. In Sam's case, his mother's ongoing depression may contribute to his neglect. The World Health Organisation defines health as a state of wellness that

includes physical, mental, and social aspects rather than just the absence of illness or weakness (Downie et al.).

According to Browne (1995), the case study does not mention Sam's biological father. As a result, it is possible that Sam's mother is struggling to balance her illness with caring for him and working. Poverty, which is a potential outcome of this illness, can cause stress, frustration, and neglect in individuals like Sam. This can lead to a vicious cycle where depression and poverty reinforce each other (Browne 1995).

Low-income families may struggle to find support, such as childcare services, for their children due to financial limitations. People from lower socio-economic backgrounds are more likely to experience depressive symptoms, particularly if they are unemployed or have lower levels of education (Trowler, P.). The Agency for Health Care Policy and Research recognizes that depression is often not properly diagnosed or treated by non-mental health professionals.

In a 1991 study, the ethnicity of Sam's mother was not specified. However, research indicates that women of color are at a higher risk for depression when compared to Caucasian women. This is attributed to multiple factors such as discrimination based on race/ethnicity, poor health, being a single parent, and having larger families. Furthermore, the risk for depressive symptoms increases among women with young children and worsens as the number of children in their household increases. (source: http://www.teacherline)

Sam, who self-identifies as Black British and has a mixed race background, is the subject of a study on fostering ethnic minority groups and the associated increase in costs, known as Foster Care Adjustment (FCA). (source: org.uk/index.cfm?p=2173)

The results of the Children In Need survey (December 200) indicate that

the number of ethnic minority children in care is disproportionate, with a percentage of 16%-18% compared to the ethnic minority group population of 9%-11%. The shortage of adoptive ethnic minority families limits the options for children in need. This shortage may be attributed to the additional needs that local authorities must fulfil for these groups. Several publications have highlighted the need for more foster care options for ethnic minority children.