Social Services

CPU social workers determine the child’s immediate safety in his or her present placement using set criteria. When necessary, children are placed in protective custody with relatives, non-government or government-run shelters.

Social workers conduct home visits for all Metro Manila patients to assess the risk for re-abuse, validate information and to assess other needs that the family may have.

Case management is the systematic and structured helping process to help individuals regain self-confidence and become functional in society. If such task requires that the family also be strengthened, then plans for the family’s welfare become part of case management. Among the diverse areas addressed by case management are safety of child’s placement, legal assistance, mental health assistance of patient and youthful offenders, as well as coordination of services provided. Case conferences are held within the CPU and with partner agencies as well. The partner agencies include government and non-government organizations.

CPU holds regular parenting classes to teach parents the basics of child development and behavior.  The objective of these sessions is to help the parents manage their expectations of their children, to help them understand their children’s behavior and to adjust their methods of discipline in the context of what they have learned.  Child Psychiatrists recommend attendance at these sessions as a form of intervention as well as prevention for child physical abuse. Three categories of parenting classes are now offered: Basic Parenting, Advanced Parenting and Seminars for Parents of Minor Offenders.

A venue for parents of PGH-CPU patients to share information on prevention of re-abuse and increase coping skills, while decreasing feelings of isolation and providing encouragement and hope.

A strategy to prevent re-abuse in children and strengthen families by helping individual members understand and improve their processes of interaction and conflict resolution.

Kids in Court was introduced in 2003. It aims to prepare children who need to testify in court by educating them on their rights, orienting them and their parents/ caregivers on basic court proceedings, and helping normalize their feelings, experiences, and struggles before going to court. Activities include an interactive Powerpoint presentation on Children’s Rights, Feelings, and What Children Expect to See in the Courtroom; a small group discussion about feelings and experiences; and a tour of a Family Court where they meet the Judge and the court staff.

• Mental Health Services for child offenders of sexual abuse
  • Individual therapy (1to 6 sessions)
  • Group therapy (5 sessions for groups of 5 to 6 children)
• Parenting classes
  • for parent offenders
  • for parents of child offenders