SSW374 - Selected Issues: Child Welfare

Subject Title
Selected Issues: Child Welfare

Subject Description
The physical, emotion and psychological welfare of children in Ontario are important issues with significant social, political and personal consequences. The course will provide a framework for understanding the fundamental concepts in child welfare. We will examine a number of key domains in the child welfare field including: poverty, prevention and protection interventions, the foster care system, child abuse and neglect and their impact on child development, challenges in working with at risk children and their families and related government legislations, policies and protocols. We will examine treatment issues in working with a number of diverse populations as well as challenges faced in working with involuntary clients. Students will gain an overview of the scope of the field of child welfare and it?s relevance to social service work.

Credit Status
One Credit

Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject the student will be able to:

Upon successful completion of this course social service students will have achieved the following competencies:
1. Knowledge of the history and internal workings of the
Ontario Child Welfare system. This will be demonstrated
by the student?s participation in class discussions,
exams and assignments.
2. Knowledge of the legislation that mandates the services
of Child Welfare in Ontario. Will be able to openly
discuss and explain the major areas of the legislation
as it pertains to Social service Work.
3. Using class assignments, exams and discussions students
will exhibit an understanding of abuse and neglect and
its impact on children.
4. Using class assignments, exams and discussions students
will express a solid working knowledge of the issues
that face its clients, staff and foster parents
5. Through various class assignments, students will be able
to display solid competency in documentation of your
work.
6. Upon successful completion of this subject students will
display their ability to assess risk and develop working
objectives with clients through various assignments and
discussions and exams.
7. Students will be able to demonstrate their understanding
of current best practice principles and competencies
through their successful completion of the course.

Academic Integrity
Seneca upholds a learning community that values academic integrity, honesty, fairness, trust, respect, responsibility and courage. These values enhance Seneca's commitment to deliver high-quality education and teaching excellence, while supporting a positive learning environment. Ensure that you are aware of Seneca's Academic Integrity Policy which can be found at: http://www.senecapolytechnic.ca/about/policies/academic-integrity-policy.html Review section 2 of the policy for details regarding approaches to supporting integrity. Section 2.3 and Appendix B of the policy describe various sanctions that can be applied, if there is suspected academic misconduct (e.g., contract cheating, cheating, falsification, impersonation or plagiarism).

Please visit the Academic Integrity website http://open2.senecac.on.ca/sites/academic-integrity/for-students to understand and learn more about how to prepare and submit work so that it supports academic integrity, and to avoid academic misconduct.

Discrimination/Harassment
All students and employees have the right to study and work in an environment that is free from discrimination and/or harassment. Language or activities that defeat this objective violate the College Policy on Discrimination/Harassment and shall not be tolerated. Information and assistance are available from the Student Conduct Office at student.conduct@senecapolytechnic.ca.

Accommodation for Students with Disabilities
The College will provide reasonable accommodation to students with disabilities in order to promote academic success. If you require accommodation, contact the Counselling and Accessibility Services Office at ext. 22900 to initiate the process for documenting, assessing and implementing your individual accommodation needs.

Camera Use and Recordings - Synchronous (Live) Classes
Synchronous (live) classes may be delivered in person, in a Flexible Learning space, or online through a Seneca web conferencing platform such as MS Teams or Zoom. Flexible Learning spaces are equipped with cameras, microphones, monitors and speakers that capture and stream instructor and student interactions, providing an in-person experience for students choosing to study online.

Students joining a live class online may be required to have a working camera in order to participate, or for certain activities (e.g. group work, assessments), and high-speed broadband access (e.g. Cable, DSL) is highly recommended. In the event students encounter circumstances that impact their ability to join the platform with their camera on, they should reach out to the professor to discuss. Live classes may be recorded and made available to students to support access to course content and promote student learning and success.

By attending live classes, students are consenting to the collection and use of their personal information for the purposes of administering the class and associated coursework. To learn more about Seneca's privacy practices, visit Privacy Notice.