Social Worker’s Role in Child Abuse and Neglect

This course equips social workers to prevent and respond to child abuse, covering signs, ethics, trauma‑informed care, collaboration, and strategies to protect and support children

🕒 3 CE HOURS

AUTHORS: Beth Hagan, Ph.D. and Rachel Kalina, MSW, LCSW COURSE LEVEL: INTERMEDIATE

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DirectorEducation Pathways, LLC provider # 0000, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 00/00/2025–00/00/2028. Social workers completing this course receive 3 Clinical continuing education credits.

This online reading-based asynchronous distance learning course :

equips social workers with the knowledge and skills to identify, respond to, and prevent child abuse and neglect. It explores the types, signs, and risk factors of abuse, while addressing the legal mandates and ethical responsibilities guiding social work practice.

The course emphasizes trauma‑informed care, interdisciplinary collaboration, and culturally competent approaches in working with children and families. Through evidence‑based practices and real‑world case examples, participants will deepen their understanding of intervention strategies and long‑term support planning.

Ultimately, the course strengthens the social worker’s capacity to protect children, promote resilience, and advocate for systemic change.

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Learning Objectives:

Identify definitions, types, and prevalence of child abuse and neglect.
Describe risk and protective factors influencing abuse and neglect.
Recognize signs and behavioral indicators across developmental stages.
Explain legal mandates and ethical responsibilities in reporting/responding.
Apply assessment strategies and tools to evaluate safety and risk.
Implement intervention strategies and evidence‑based treatment approaches.
Integrate trauma‑informed and culturally responsive practices.
Design prevention and education strategies to reduce abuse incidence.
Coordinate long‑term care plans and case management services.
Advocate for systemic reforms and equitable child protection policies.

View Course Timed Agenda

1. Introduction to Child Abuse and Neglect (11 min)

Definitions and types
Prevalence and demographic data
Historical and societal perspectives

2. Risk Factors and Protective Factors (24 min)

Individual, familial, and community risk factors
Cultural and socioeconomic considerations
Protective factors and resilience

3. Signs, Symptoms, and Behavioral Indicators (15 min)

Developmentally appropriate indicators
Physical, emotional, behavioral signs
Challenges in identification and reporting

4. Legal and Ethical Responsibilities (29 min)

Mandatory reporting laws
Confidentiality and informed consent
Ethical dilemmas and decision‑making frameworks
Roles of child protective services

5. Assessment and Risk Evaluation (20 min)

Child and family assessments
Risk assessment tools and protocols
Interview techniques with children and caregivers

6. Intervention and Treatment Approaches (24 min)

Safety planning and immediate interventions
Therapeutic modalities (TF‑CBT, play therapy, family therapy)
Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams

7. Trauma‑Informed and Culturally Responsive Practice (19 min)

Principles of trauma‑informed care
Addressing cultural bias and systemic inequality
Working with diverse populations

8. Prevention and Education Strategies (13 min)

Primary, secondary, tertiary prevention models
Community outreach and public education
Strengthening family and community supports

9. Case Management and Long‑Term Support (13 min)

Reunification, kinship care, foster care systems
Ongoing support and service coordination
Monitoring progress and outcomes

10. Advocacy and Systemic Change (12 min)

Policy and legislative advocacy
Addressing systemic barriers and promoting equity
Social worker as advocate and change agent

🕒 Total Instruction Time

180 minutes (3 CEU Hours)

🌟 Key Takeaway

This course empowers social workers to intervene effectively in child abuse and neglect cases, ensuring ethical practice, trauma‑informed care, and systemic advocacy to protect children and strengthen families.

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