The process of investigating child abuse can be exceptionally stressful for both children and adults. Sometimes, especially in high-conflict cases, the stress levels can become overwhelming and potentially traumatic—especially for young children who may be unable to express themselves in the same way adults can. For this reason, Child Protective Services (CPS) and other agencies, both government and private, frequently turn to professional writers to help with the process of drafting court documents and other forms that need to be filed or signed.
How exactly does writing for CPS or any other child advocacy agency function? What specific skills and training do you need to become a successful writer in this field? How is writing used in a typical case? We recently spoke with Nancy Stroud, an attorney and senior manager of communications and marketing at Creative Mornings, about the role of writing in a child advocacy agency case, the stresses of the job, and what you can do to prepare for a career in child advocacy.
The Process Of Investigating Abuse
The process of investigating child abuse can be exceptionally stressful for both children and adults. Sometimes, especially in high-conflict cases, the stress levels can become overwhelming and potentially traumatic—especially for young children who may be unable to express themselves in the same way adults can. For this reason, Child Protective Services (CPS) and other agencies, both government and private, frequently turn to professional writers to help with the process of drafting court documents and other forms that need to be filed or signed.
How exactly does writing for CPS or any other child advocacy agency function? What specific skills and training do you need to become a successful writer in this field? How is writing used in a typical case? We recently spoke with Nancy Stroud, an attorney and senior manager of communications and marketing at Creative Mornings, about the role of writing in a child advocacy agency case, the stresses of the job, and what you can do to prepare for a career in child advocacy.
What Is The Most Stressful Part Of Your Job?
Nancy Stroud has been working in child advocacy for almost 30 years and has seen the job evolve from a largely administrative process to a much more structured and formalized one. She points out that today, a typical social services case involves a complex web of legal issues that need to be resolved, usually in a court of law. This can be extremely stressful for both children and adults, and is a major reason why many agencies prefer to use specialized legal professionals to help navigate this process.
The legal issues are, in many ways, the least stressful part of the job. The complexities of the court cases, the volume of paperwork, and the time constraints all contribute to making this a highly stressful job. However, it’s the emotional aspects that may be the most disturbing. Stroud notes that she and her colleagues often have to decide whether or not to remove a child from their home, which can be incredibly difficult, especially if the parents are involved in counseling or have otherwise resolved their problems. This is why she thinks that writing for child advocacy is such a positive experience, because it can provide some relief from the more stressful aspects of the job.
How does the legal process work in a child abuse case? Generally, in most states, if there is suspicion of abuse, an investigation will be launched by a social worker or law enforcement officer. Next, a Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) will be formed, which typically includes nurses, therapists, social workers, and law enforcement officers. The MDT will conduct a thorough assessment of the situation and interview the family members, as well as any witnesses, to determine the nature and extent of the abuse. If the child has been previously removed from the home by Child Protective Services (CPS), the MDT will work with a court-appointed guardian ad litem (GAL) to develop a case against the parents.
What Is The Most Positive Part Of Your Job?
While the role of writing in a child advocacy job is undoubtedly challenging and can be extremely stressful, Stroud sees writing as a useful and highly effective tool in helping children recover from abuse and move forward with their lives. In many instances, she notes, children who have gone through the trauma of being abused need to put their experiences into words, and having a skilled professional to help them with this can make a significant difference. She also sees writing as a positive experience for the professionals who work in the field, because it provides them with a creative outlet that they can use to decompress and gain some self-awareness.
Stroud reports that having a creative writing class or a counseling session with a skilled writer can be extremely beneficial for children. She cites a case where the only way that a four-year-old girl could express herself was through writing, and how the process helped her discover her inner emotions and feelings. In this instance, the writing enabled the little girl to separate her experience from that of others, to gain some perspective, and to understand that what happened to her was wrong but it did not define her as a person.
What Specific Skills And Training Do You Need To Become A Successful Writer In This Field?
If you’re looking for a career in writing, or if you’re simply looking to improve your skill set, you’ll want to consider pursuing a freelance writing career in child advocacy. It’s a field that will require a good deal of research and development, and it’ll be a major step up in terms of compensation and job security from what you’d usually expect to find in a routine role as a secretary or administrative assistant. In terms of specific skills and training, Stroud recommends that aspiring writers get a certification in legal investigation from the International Foundation for Police Investigative Services (IFPIS), as well as gain some experience by contributing to student-run journals or working for a bar association or other professional organization. She also suggests that prospective writers get a feel for the legal system by taking a crash course in legal research and writing at a college or university. Finally, she notes that strong communication skills are essential, and prospective writers should consider pursuing formal education in public speaking or counseling so that they can develop the interpersonal skills needed to talk to children and families about their experiences.
Why Is The Job Stressful?
Nancy Stroud points out that the job can be extremely stressful for children and adults alike, mostly because of the emotional and psychological aspects that are involved. There is a degree of uncertainty about how to react in stressful situations, which can increase the intensity of the emotion. This makes it more difficult to handle, especially for those who are inexperienced. What’s more, Stroud notes that many of her colleagues see their work as a calling, and for these individuals, meeting strict deadlines and completing complex paperwork can feel more like a burden than a source of professional pride. The job can also be extremely physically demanding, especially in cases involving children with special needs or medical issues. This can make it difficult for parents to care for their kids, and in some cases, the stress has led to work-related issues for the adults involved. Stroud sees these types of cases as a major source of frustration for her, because in most cases the adults are not trained in dealing with the emotional aspects of their work. She thinks that in addition to being a creative outlet, writing for child advocacy is also a useful tool in helping professionals develop the personality characteristics needed to succeed in this demanding and rewarding job.
How successful have you been in terms of improving your job prospects and the quality of your work? Have you found that writing for child advocacy is a useful skill that has led you to better jobs and more self-confidence? Let us know what you think by leaving a comment below! And if you’re looking for a career change, be sure to check out our listings for jobs in different industries.