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Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study is to review the psychological burdens and risks faced by child protection professionals, and to demonstrate how systemic and organizational conditions, the specific needs of children, and the individual life history factors of workers shape everyday professional challenges.
Methodology: The article is based on a theoretical review and literature references, complemented by fictitious case studies derived from the authors’ professional experience, which also highlight possible solutions. The analysis is organized along three main dimensions: circumstances, child-related factors, and individual life history variables.
Findings: The simultaneous presence of these three dimensions results in significant psychological strain, which, in the absence of protective factors, may lead to burnout, secondary traumatization, or career dropout. Professional supervision, peer consultation, and regular psychological fitness assessments may serve as key tools for preserving workers’ psychological safety and maintaining professional quality.
Value: The study contributes to a deeper understanding of the psychological aspects of child protection work and supports the necessity of preventive psychological fitness assessments. Mapping the challenges faced by the field and its professionals, along with introducing a structured assessment system, may help ensure that child protection is staffed and sustained by professionals capable of safeguarding children’s best interests and maintaining high professional standards in the long term.
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