Thesis (MA) - Cyprus International University. Institute of Graduate Studies and Research Social Work

Child abuse and neglect inflict harm upon both parents and children universally, hence
heightening public consciousness and emphasizing the necessity for expert
intervention. Immigrant families in industrialized nations often face challenges in
raising their children due to parenting techniques that do not prioritize children's rights.
Experts, such as social workers, intervene in these circumstances to safeguard the
children. According to the Child Care Protection and Justice Act and the Sierra
Leonean Constitution, a child is legally defined as someone below the age of 16.
Nonetheless, Sierra Leone has ratified the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare
of the Child and the Convention on the Rights of the Child, both of which stipulate
that a child is an individual below 18. According to the Prevention of Domestic
Violence Act, a kid is defined as an individual who is under the age of 18.
The study aimed to identify challenges encountered by social workers in the field of
child protection when they are required to remove a child from their home for their
safety. Additionally, the study sought to explore the distinctions and similarities
between social workers and the local community regarding how they are perceived or
recognized. The problems encountered during the data collection encompassed
insufficient resources, divergent parenting practices among families, potential
criticism towards social workers if a kid is relocated, and disparities in values and
priorities between cultural, traditional, and social work perspectives on child-rearing.
The primary issue pertains to the approach employed by social workers while engaging
with the community, which has subsequently influenced the perception of social
workers within local communities. The comments and recommendations section
presents the possibility of enhancing the relationship by connecting the findings with
concealed implications and hypotheses. The scarcity of resources has contributed to
the occurrence of conflicts. If resources were more abundant, there would be greater
awareness and understanding, decreasing conflicts. This study has generated insights
that can inform other related studies, perhaps enhancing social work practice. It also
contributes to existing theories that social workers encounter difficulties and conflicts
when working with clients in the context of child protection.