Child Protective Services

Child Protective Service

Max Weber’s theory of bureaucracy proposes several distinctive attributes that an organization should have to ensure effective management. The bureaucratic model, according to Weber thus is one that is characterized by the following elements in its administrative system; Fixed division of labor in which the jurisdictional areas are clearly specified, and each area has a specific set of official duties and rights that cannot be changed at the whim of the leader, Hierarchy of authority such that each office should be controlled and supervised by a higher ranking office, Separation of personal from official property and rights and creation of rules to govern performance (Anderson & Brown, 2010) .Other features include the presence of rational legal authority, Separation of personal from official property and rights, selection based on qualifications and the presence of clear career paths.

Weber’s theory relative to organizational structure, division of labor, and roles apply to Child Protective Services in the sense that the CPS and its associated operations are highly bureaucratic. Generally, Child Protective Services have the function of promoting the safety and well-being of children through intervention with the goal of children remaining in their homes if found safe with the ability to provide a safe environment.CPS operations are based on the purpose of the Child Protective Services Act of 1973 which is to encourage more complete reporting of child abuse and maltreatment. Weber advocates for the division of roles and labor; it is in this regard that the New York State Child Protective Services has its functions divided into three key divisions which are child abuse, Child protection (Protection of children exposed to child abuse and neglect) and Child Welfare(which fights for the best interest of the child).Also, the administrative process at the facility is highly bureaucratic. For instance, regarding child abuse, a signed, written report (LDSS 2221A Report of Suspected Child Abuse or Maltreatment must be filed by mandated reporters within 48 hours of an oral report.

The Systems theory treats organizations as a system. It is a trans-disciplinary study of abstract organization phenomena which is independent of type, substance, temporal or spatial scale of existence. A system can either be closed or open. However, most approaches treat organizations as open systems. An open system interacts with its environment by way of inputs, throughputs, and outputs. An organization thus is a system with parts such as employees, assets, products, resources, and information that form a complex system. All of the organizations function as system because they have subsystems or parts that make up the entire system and such parts has to work dependently in order to achieve the objectives of the organization. The Child Protective Services for New York State happen to be an open system since it has most of its elements interacting with the environment. The New York State Office of Children and Family Servicesinteract with individuals who are mandated to make reports regarding child abuse in an open system. The CPS interacts with medical and hospital personnel, school officials, social service workers, child care workers, residential care workers and volunteers and law enforcement personnel to ensure that the Child is protected. Also, the CPS development is open to Voluntary reporters such as neighbors, relatives and concerned citizens who may also use the sites statewide, toll free number to make reports (Lipsky, 2010).

To improve the CPS system at the macro level, the administrative structure of the entire system should be modified to reduce the inefficiencies created by the bureaucracy therein. Management should for instance have CPS redesign their assessment processes as well as interventions to intervene effectively in chronically neglecting and maltreating families. The excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities experienced within the system often delays justice for the Child and the affected families. The bureaucracy at the system has also led to the depersonalization of the children. It is also incapable of dealing with individual particulars to which earlier types of justice to children were well suited. Child Protective Services should also be devolved to the county level and boroughs to ensure that the public has an easier and quicker access to justice and other services offered by the system. The state should also invest in improving the skills and knowledge of its investigators(Mendes, & Moslehuddin, 2004). CPS investigators should receive special investigators training in advanced forensics and interviewing techniques to ensure effectiveness.The CPS should also encourage the involvement of more youth and family members in service design, delivery, and evaluation. Besides, disseminating and replicating evidence‐based best practices in child protection and welfare should be encouraged to ensure the system provides solutions that effectively solve the complex, multi‐need problems of the children, youth, and families that they serve.

References

Anderson, C., & Brown, C. E. (2010). The functions and dysfunctions of hierarchy. Research in organizational behavior, 30, 55-89.

Mendes, P., & Moslehuddin, B. (2004). Graduating from the child welfare system: a comparison of the UK and Australian leaving care debates. International Journal Of Social Welfare, 13(4), 332-339. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-2397.2004.00329.x

OCFS (2017). The Statewide Central Register of Child Abuse and Maltreatment | OCFS. Ocfs.ny.gov. Retrieved 23 May 2017, from http://ocfs.ny.gov/main/cps/

Lipsky, M. (2010). Street-level bureaucracy, 30th ann. Ed.: dilemmas of the individual in public service. Russell Sage Foundation.