It’s great that you recognize feelings of distrust toward professionals in yourself. This already identifies one reason why seeking help can feel almost impossible. However, it is helpful to examine and unpack that distrust. Where does it come from? It may come from negative past experiences, from someone else’s experiences, from claims spread in the media or on social media, from fear, or from uncertainty about what happens after seeking help from professionals.
They have chosen a field they are interested in, and in social and healthcare fields, people often genuinely want to help others. Most professionals therefore have good intentions and work to ensure that clients receive the best possible support. However, they are guided by laws and official regulations. They cannot make exceptions based on personal preferences; they follow the law. In social and healthcare law, the child’s best interest comes first in many matters. A child must never be in danger, and their growth and development must not be threatened. Professionals have a high level of education and understanding of when such situations may occur, and they carry this responsibility in all aspects of their work.
For example, they cannot comment on stories circulating in the media or on social media. As a result, such stories are often one-sided, emotionally charged, and possibly biased. Sometimes a person interacting with a professional is in a difficult life situation and may find it hard to see their own circumstances as objectively as the professional does.
For example, the fear that professionals will take children away is one factor that maintains distrust. No professional has such an agenda. A child’s best interest is usually with their parent, and support is provided to keep it that way as long as it is possible and safe. After contacting a professional, they first conduct a service needs assessment. In this process, they use all the information available and their professional expertise. Families with children are often offered support services, which can include counseling, family work, childcare assistance, financial support, guidance, and more.
Only if these support services are insufficient, and the child’s growth and development are at risk, might temporary placement elsewhere be necessary. By this point, the family usually already knows that the situation is moving in this direction because conditions have not improved. Therefore, it is possible to influence the outcome oneself. For example, if there is violence in the family, and a child cannot live in a violent household, the violence must stop. Professionals provide guidance — the child and the safe parent are directed to a shelter or another safe setting away from the violent parent. The violent parent is directed to a violence intervention program or other support services. If parents do not follow the guidance, the next step may be family rehabilitation. In family rehabilitation, the family temporarily lives in a structured residential setting where they receive around-the-clock support.
Professionals closely monitor family dynamics, behavior, and progress in addressing the problem. If this still does not resolve the situation, temporary out-of-home placement of the child may be considered. Even then, it is fundamentally temporary. All parties involved are always informed about what is happening, why, and what can be done.
If you are afraid to open up to professionals and worry about possible consequences, it is important to speak about your fear out loud. You can first contact professionals anonymously and ask about your situation. They will explain their working methods and their goals.