Engagement Techniques
This is the first and most important step in building a helping relationship with a child.
What is rapport-building?
The process of gathering and analyzing sufficient information about a child and their family in order to understand how to help and child and their family in the best interests of the child
What is an assessment
Giving children choices during sessions supports this core value of child-centered practice.
What is empowerment?
Fear of being taken away from their home is a common barrier in children involved with this system.
What is child protective services or the foster care system?
Before starting any assessment, social workers must obtain this from a parent or guardian.
What is informed consent?
Using age-appropriate games or drawings can help establish this with younger clients.
What is trust or engagement?
ADHD
Conduct Disorder
Oppositional Defiant disorder
Separation Anxiety
What is typical disorders that children have
This approach involves tailoring interventions to a child’s specific developmental level.
What is developmentally appropriate practice?
Adolescents may resist help due to this belief about authority figures
What is mistrust or skepticism?
Observing a child in this setting provides insight into their natural behaviors.
What is a school or home environment?
This approach involves meeting the client where they are emotionally and developmentally.
What is a strengths-based approach?
This model focuses on identifying a child's risks and protective factors across domains.
What is the resilience framework or risk and protective factor model?
This type of play allows a child to express emotions they might not be able to verbalize.
What is therapeutic play?
This term describes when a child refuses to talk due to anxiety or trauma.
What is selective mutism?
A good assessment incorporates information from multiple sources, also known as this kind of approach
What is a multi-informant or holistic approach?
This technique helps a child feel heard by repeating back their feelings in different words.
What is reflective listening?
Clinical interviews
Behavioral observation
Behavior rating scales
Self-report scales
Projective/expressive techniques
Intellectual tests
What are assessment methods
A child-centered practice requires collaboration not just with the child, but also with this group.
What are the family or caregivers?
This cultural factor can be a barrier when children are taught not to share family problems with outsiders.
What is stigma or cultural taboo?
This type of bias can occur if a worker’s expectations influence their interpretation of a child's behavior.
What is confirmation bias?
Trauma-informed engagement requires these two key elements to ensure a child feels safe.
What are consistency and predictability?
Respecting cultural beliefs while engaging children and families is part of this practice principle.
What is cultural competence?
This term refers to recognizing and valuing a child's unique experiences, abilities, and identity in practice.
What is individualization?
Language differences between the social worker and the client can create this kind of barrier.
What is a communication barrier?
Ethical assessment requires attention to this principle to ensure the child’s information is protected.
What is confidentiality?