GENRE: NonFiction
Because this book contains content that is 18+ with various TRIGGER WARNINGS, we do not feel excerpts will be applicable. It discusses Jo’s time as a child protection worker and features substance abuse, sexual assault and various other triggering topics.
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BLURB:
In the beginning, a tragic event started me on my journey to a destination and my love for helping children of all ages and their families.
However, what I was not prepared for was that the people who assisted me and paved the way for my advancement in my chosen career in Child Protection were the same people who tried to bring me down.
This book will give you insight into what it is like to work in Child Protection. It will show you the difficulties and sometimes dangers workers face on a daily basis. Furthermore, the novel will also highlight the satisfaction you get when you can assist a child and their family through a traumatic event.
My career at Child Protection spanned nearly a decade, and during that time, I was bullied by management. I observed management bully other workers; I was also aware of workers consuming drugs, both outside work hours and during work hours.
This novel is a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens at Child Protection when the public is not watching or listening.
Child Protection is not an easy career path, but it can be a good job if you like long hours, have a thick skin, keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and abide by everything that management wants you to do, even when you know it is wrong or unfair.
Pertinent Information:
Out of Home Care: Is It Really Safe?
Recent statistics and inquiries reveal disturbing realities about the safety and well-being of children in out-of-home care in Victoria, Australia. Despite being intended as a refuge, the system is fraught with challenges that leave many vulnerable children at risk.
Disturbing Statistics on Residential Care Incidents
The 2021-22 annual report of the Commission for Children and Young People highlights alarming trends:
- Missing Children: Reports of children and young people going missing from residential care surged by 65% from 2019-20, reaching 3,558 incidents in 2021-22.
- Sexual Exploitation: During the same period, incidents of sexual exploitation rose by 28%, with 303 cases reported.
The Disproportionate Impact on Aboriginal Children
Aboriginal children are profoundly overrepresented in the out-of-home care system:
- In 2020-21, 134.9 per 1,000 Aboriginal children were placed in care, compared to just 6.7 per 1,000 non-Aboriginal children.
- Aboriginal children constitute nearly 30% of all children in care, despite representing less than 1% of Victoria’s population.
This overrepresentation extends to tragic outcomes. In 2022, two Aboriginal children were among 37 who died within 12 months of involvement with child protection services, reflecting deep systemic failures.
Systemic Challenges Exacerbate Risks
Investigations point to several systemic issues, including premature case closures and poor collaboration between child protection services and external agencies. Underfunded support systems further compound these challenges, leaving children without the resources they need to thrive.
The Principal Commissioner for Children and Young People stated:
“Action is desperately needed to ensure the child protection, out-of-home care, and youth justice systems meet children’s needs. Current data shows abuse within these systems is being uncovered at unprecedented levels. Vulnerable children continue to suffer due to a pressured system unable to provide adequate care.”
Blaire’s Story: A Case of Systemic Failure
Blaire’s experience exemplifies the failures within the system. At 15, she entered foster care after losing both parents to drug overdoses. Her transient life left her feeling abandoned and rejected.
Initially placed with a foster family who appeared ideal—one parent was a former Child Protection worker—Blaire quickly learned otherwise. The couple faced allegations of sexually abusing another child in their care. Blaire disclosed her awareness of the situation during an interview:
“Are you talking about Cheryl, Bernadette, and Sam? They had threesomes and used sex toys. I already know about that. They wouldn’t try that with me; I’d smack them out.”
While Blaire avoided direct abuse, the placement failed to provide the stability she desperately needed. Her next foster home also fell short: the foster mother refused to give Blaire a house key, forcing her to wait outside until late evening. Attempts to advocate for Blaire’s independence were met with resistance, leading to further disruptions in her care.
The Hard Question: Where Can Children Feel Safe?
If children are not safe in their own homes, nor in the out-of-home care system, where can they turn? Blaire’s story, alongside the harrowing statistics, underscores the urgent need for reform.
A Call to Action
The out-of-home care system must prioritize:
- Increased Oversight and Accountability: Ensure all carers meet stringent safety standards.
- Support for Aboriginal Communities: Empower Aboriginal-led solutions to reduce overrepresentation and address cultural needs.
- Adequate Funding for Support Services: Strengthen child protection services to prevent case closures that leave children vulnerable.
Our most vulnerable children deserve better. It’s time to act to ensure every child feels safe, supported, and valued.
Blaire
Blaire came to the attention of the Department as she was only fifteen years of age and did not have an age-appropriate carer. Blaire has had a tragic life, and until the aforementioned foster care placement, she was transient.
Blaire’s father died of a drug overdose, and the very next year, on the exact same day, her mother died of a drug overdose.
I don’t know for sure, but I can surmise that it is highly likely that the mother committed suicide rather than an accidental drug overdose.
Blaire was then moved from family member to family member and, of course, felt extremely rejected by her family.
I am not sure how she met the friend who she thought would be able to care for her before becoming known to the Department. I am sure that Blaire would have felt angry by being taken from her friend’s care and had some resentment towards the Department.
Blaire was placed with a couple that you would have thought were able to provide the perfect stable home life that was required to address Blaire’s abandonment/rejection issues.
The foster care mother was a Child Protection worker prior to becoming a foster care worker (I can’t recall the father’s occupation).
Information was provided to the Department that another teenage girl was being sexually abused by both the foster care mother and the foster care father at the time that Blaire was residing with the couple.
Therefore, Blaire had to be interviewed to confirm whether she had been sexually abused or not.
The Team Leader of the High-Risk Adolescent Unit and myself spoke with Blaire although the Team Leader conducted the interview.
In Mary’s unique style, she stated, “Are you talking about Cheryl, Bernadette, and Sam? They had threesomes and used sex toys. I already know about that. They wouldn’t want to try that with me; I’d smack them out.” I don’t doubt that.
I don’t know what happened to those foster care parents (although I would not really class them as parents), but I hope they received a jail sentence and were placed in the general population of the prison. Why should they be provided protection when they didn’t provide protection to our most vulnerable young people?
The next placement that Blaire ended up in did not work out either. The foster care mother would not provide Blaire with a key and made her wait outside until she got home from work (which would be nearly nighttime). I tried to explain to the foster care mother that Blaire had proved herself to be responsible.
However, the foster carer would not allow Blaire in the home when she was not there. I stated to the carer, “Maybe you should reconsider the age group you are willing to care for. You clearly do not trust teenagers.” I went on to say, “You cannot have children waiting on a doorstep with no cover for hours until you get home.”
GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.
http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/28e4345f5035/
Follow the tour and comment; the more yOU comment, the better YOUr chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here:
https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2024/10/nbtm-child-protection-behind-closed.html
About The Author:
The life of Jo Cooling is like living in a theme park: one minute, it’s like riding a roller coaster, baking cupcakes, cookies, and slices. With a kitchen covered with chocolate, flour, and cooking utensils. Also trying to develop new tastes and ideas for her growing baking business.
Sometimes, she feels like she travels through life in a Dodge ’em car. All the while, she works to complete two novels while caring for two Cavoodles, who believe their mother was placed on this earth purely to play with them 24 hours a day.
But no matter how out of control her life can be at times, eventually, she ends up sailing around on the Walt Disney teacup ride on top of the world. However, when she relaxes, the Cavoodles see this as an opportunity to snuggle on Mum’s lap.
Jo’s work career has been just as colorful as her current life. She has worked in horse and car racing, sold lingerie, designed websites, been a Personal Assistant, and worked as a Law Clerk.
Jo looks at life like a box of chocolates: each day unwraps a new layer, revealing unexpected flavors and textures.
CONNECT WITH Jo Cooling
WEBSITE: jocooling.com
INSTAGRAM: @jocoolingauthor
PURCHASE LINKS Child Protection Behind Closed Doors
AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/1779418698
AMAZON.AU: https://amazon.com.au/dp/1779418698
INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/child-protection-behind-closed-doors/9781779418692.html
BOOKTOPIA: https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779418692
