Professionals who work closely with people sometimes have the possibility of improving or enhancing their chances of succeeding in their professional endeavors by reaching out and getting close to the people they meet. Mental health workers, educators, health professionals, social workers, police officers and professionals in the child care field exemplify this role. Empathy and sometimes deliberate rational strategy lead them to reach out and provide support to families, children, adolescents and other (vulnerable) individuals in uncomfortable, threatening, harmful or distressing situations and circumstances. However, there are repercussions to reaching out and these professionals need to be careful not to be rendered unable to fulfill their professional roles and capacities or carry out their responsibilities.
In the child care fields, a strong and active partnership between the child care providers and the parents is a significant factor in the quality of the service and care given to the child, and ultimately the child’s well-being. Cordiality and trust between these two parties facilitates an atmosphere of openness that enables the child care provider to discover and discern the needs of the child with greater accuracy and to resolve these needs more efficiently. Possible consequences of becoming extremely involved or personally invested in a family’s situation include emotional vulnerability and manipulation, breaking professional code of ethics or standards, forgetting or circumventing one’s role as a professional. A professional’s responsibility as a family liaison goes only as far is comfortable for both parties and does not make the professional unable to carry out his professional responsibilities.
Educators interact with children from many different backgrounds and places, and are therefore, in a unique position to offer support to children who need it. Sometimes, for example for homeless students, they may make all the difference in enhancing a child’s well-being. Educators could make a big difference when New Immigrant Students are involved. In these situations, parents cannot be involved because of language barriers. Although there are risks in reaching out, thousands of lives are affected by this extension of one’s professional obligations, and it should be encouraged. However, the professionals need to be educated on the dangers of reaching out and in order to maintain professional integrity.
Works Cited
Dill, Vicky S. "Students without homes." Closing Opportunity Gaps (2010): 43-47.
Karageorge, K and R Kendall. The role of professional child care providers in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect. 2008. 23 December 2014 <The role of professional child care providers in preventing and responding to child abuse and neglect.>.
Smith-Davis, Judy. "The New Immigrant Students Need More than ESL." Education Digest (2004): 21-26.
