Working with People in Need of Protection

Question 1

Define ‘Need’

Answer 1

The state that pertains in the absence of something that is deemed to be necessary, usually for the continued and basic functioning of the organism.

• essential to survival
• unmet needs exposes people to various risks and vulnerabilities

Question 2

List 5 types of Needs

Answer 2

Physical = Water, food, shelter, warmth, reproduction. 
Psychological = Stimulation, cognitive activity. 
Emotional = Love, affection, trust, understanding. 
Social = Contact with others, friends.
Spiritual = Communion with others and with one’s beliefs

Question 3

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 3

1. Physiological Needs
2. Security Needs
3. Social Needs
4. Ego Needs
5. Self-Actualization

Question 4

Maslow on Needs and Motivation

Answer 4

It is our needs that motivate us to do anything and everything we do.

Question 5

Bradshaw’s Taxonomy of Social Need

Answer 5

Normative Need
Felt Need
Expressed Need
Comparative Need

Question 6

Normative Need

Answer 6

Needs that fit some kind of criteria (generally set by social service departments to determine who receives assistance)
Ex: If a child is not a standardize weight, he/she may be malnourished.

Question 7

Felt Need

Answer 7

Needs that are felt by the individual. Very subjective and difficult/ nearly impossible to measure, which makes it arguable.

Question 8

Expressed Need

Answer 8

Need that is expressed through observation. Sometimes an individual may not be able to express their need, leaving it up to a professional to express it on their behalf.
Ex: A child with a severe learning disability may not recognize their need for extra care, but to an outsider the need is clear.

Question 9

Comparative Need

Answer 9

Needs that are based on a comparison to another person or group whose need has already been identified, and is/are already receiving assistance.

Question 10

Five Welfare Perspectives

Answer 10

Welfare as an expression of altruism
Welfare as a channel for the pursuit of self-interest
Welfare as the exercise of authority
Welfare as a transition to work
Welfare as a mechanism for moral regeneration

Question 11

What is “Risk”?

Answer 11

Historically similar to chance in that the outcome could be good or bad, but more recently (in social work especially) synonymous with negative/adverse outcomes: danger & harm.

Question 12

‘risk control perspective’

Answer 12

risk is framed as a negative thing constituting a threat or a danger. - emphasis on professional responsibility to identify the level of risk and to develop strategies to eliminate it

Question 13

‘risk taking perspective’

Answer 13

where risk is viewed positively with an emphasis on its role in relation to self-determination and empowerment, this can lead to very different outcomes

Question 14

2 Basic Approaches to Risk Assessment

Answer 14

Actuarial (statistical)
Clinical (professional judgement)
** too many variables for risk assessment to be an exact science.
The use of both in all cases is favourable.

Question 15

Actuarial Risk Assessment

Answer 15

Involves statistical calculations of risk and relies on a comparison of key factors about an individual with an existing sample (base-rate)
ex. common in criminal justice and probation, relating to the prediction of the risk/likelihood of re-offending.

Question 16

Clinical Risk Assessment

Answer 16

Relies on professional judgements - based on the knowledge, skills and experience of individual practitioners. Often rationalized with Actuarial assessments and other tools.

Question 17

Risk Management

Answer 17

identifies risk behaviours and measures to be taken to reduce their occurrence, which in some instances might involve restrictions on the individual’s rights and freedoms.
Considers what strategies should be put in place to protect the public or individuals identified as being at risk.

Question 18

Ethical issues in Risk Management

Answer 18

restrictions on individual personal freedoms may be imposed based not necessarily on what a person may already have done, but on what they have not yet done.

Question 19

Link Protection and Vulnerability

Answer 19

Some people are more susceptible to abuse, neglect, exploitation and harm, and in turn require more protection. Ex: a child is more likely to run out on a busy street, thus, the government implements policies (speed limits near schools or playgrounds) to minimize the risk of an accident.

Question 20

parens patriae

Answer 20

Latin for ‘parent of the country’ where the monarch or any other authority (the state, generally), is regarded as the legal protector of those unable to protect themselves.

Question 21

Capacity and Incapacity

Answer 21

refers to our ability to make competent decisions determining our life choices.

Provided they are safe and lawful choices, the state will not intervene “no matter how unwise they may seem to others”.

Question 22

Examples of people “with” incapacity

Answer 22

mental illness, learning disability or cognitive impairment (ex: dementia), or sometimes physical disability (only when they are unable to communicate their wishes, ex: Parkinson’s)

Question 23

Capacity similarities in the UK legal system

Answer 23

● It is wrong to ever assume that a person totally lacks capacity. The adult must be assumed to have capacity until a situation arises which challenges the assumption. Only then may powers be used.
● Practicable help must be given to overcome difficulties before anyone treats the adult as not being able to make decisions.
● Unwise decisions are not, in themselves, reason to assume a lack of capacity.
● Anything done on behalf of a person who lacks capacity must be done in their
best interests.
● Anything done on behalf of a person who lacks capacity should be the least restrictive of their basic rights and freedoms. The person’s wishes and feelings and the views of significant others must be taken into account.

Question 24

Sources of need and risk

Answer 24

Child abuse and neglect
Poverty
Racism and other forms of discrimination
Social exclusion
Crime, disorder and anti-social behaviour
Substance use/misuse
Mental illness and poor mental health
Domestic violence
Cyberspace and related issues

Question 25

Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP)

Answer 25

a social cash transfer programme that provides cash and health insurance to the extremely poor households across the country

• started in 2008
• Out of the 90,785 beneficiaries of the LEAP, 23,814 are persons with Disabilities (PWDs)
• implemented by Ghana’s ministry of gender, children and social protection.
• it is expected for beneficiaries to become self sustainable within 3 years.

Question 26

LEAP Conditional Cash Transfers

Answer 26

must meet specific requirements, such as continuous attendance in school/ clinical check ups for children, and pre/post natal clinic attendance for mothers.

Question 27

LEAP Unconditional Cash Transfers

Answer 27

welfare provided with no requirements.. often happens in cases where a household if taking care of orphaned or vulnerable children.

Question 28

LEAP Cash Transfer Amounts

Answer 28

48GHc - 1 member household
60GHc - 2 members
72GHc - 3 members
90GHc - 4 or more

Question 29

LEAP outcomes

Answer 29

Limited knowledge and mixed progress among beneficiaries, but overall positive.

• slow but steady decline in hunger, malnutrition, children born below standard weight
• direct effect on childhood development overall - cognitive development and learning outcomes.

Question 30

National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS)

Answer 30

• Result of failed (SAP) “cash and carry” system.
• Funded by Ghanaian tax payers
• covers 68% of the population
• 2/3rds do not pay required insurance premium if vulnerable or retired public servants
• LEAP beneficiaries are required to enrol
• significant decreases in the ‘under-5’ mortality rates.

Question 31

The Education Capitation Grant

Answer 31

• “school fees abolition policy”
• each public primary school receives $3 per child enrolled to cover fees for uniforms, textbooks, and PTA dues, costs related to sports and school activities, transportation, and contributions to teachers salaries - which couldn’t be met by poor students.

Question 32

Capitation Grant outcomes

Answer 32

• transference of money was inconsistent due to delays and poor record keeping
• money was not adequate for what it was intended for
• schools were still charging fees
• some schools spending the money on unapproved things
• very few felt the grant reduced financial stress
• overall satisfaction from school authorities and teachers
• increase in school attendance by 10%
• Teacher to pupil ration decreased

Question 33

Capitation Grant Reforms

Answer 33

Program is now in all public schools in the country

• value increased by 50% in 2009
• increased attendance