Child Protection Behind Closed Doors: a behind-the-scenes look at CPS when the public is not watching by Jo Cooling Book Tour with Guest Post & Giveaway

 CHILD PROTECTION BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

Jo Cooling

 

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GENRE:  NonFiction

 

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BLURB:

 

In the beginning, a tragic event started me on my journey to a destination and my love for helping children of all ages and their families.

 

However, what I was not prepared for was that the people who assisted me and paved the way for my advancement in my chosen career in Child Protection were the same people who tried to bring me down.

 

This book will give you insight into what it is like to work in Child Protection. It will show you the difficulties and sometimes dangers workers face on a daily basis. Furthermore, the novel will also highlight the satisfaction you get when you can assist a child and their family through a traumatic event.

 

My career at Child Protection spanned nearly a decade, and during that time, I was bullied by management. I observed management bully other workers; I was also aware of workers consuming drugs, both outside work hours and during work hours.

 

This novel is a behind-the-scenes look at what really happens at Child Protection when the public is not watching or listening.

 

Child Protection is not an easy career path, but it can be a good job if you like long hours, have a thick skin, keep your head down, keep your mouth shut, and abide by everything that management wants you to do, even when you know it is wrong or unfair.

 

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Because this book contains content that is 18+ with various trigger warnings, we do not feel excerpts will be applicable. It discusses Jo’s time as a child protection worker and features substance abuse, sexual assault and various other triggering topics.

 

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Guest Post:

The Psychological Cost of Protecting Children: Who Cares for the Caregivers?

Every day, Child Protection Workers Walk into some of the most challenging and heartbreaking situations imaginable. Their mission is noble: to shield vulnerable children from harm and provide them with a chance at a safe, loving future. Yet, as they work tirelessly to protect others, a vital question often goes unanswered: Who protects the protectors?

In my book, Child Protection Behind Closed Doors, I delve into the hidden realities of child protection work. Among these are the profound psychological costs borne by those tasked with safeguarding children. I am drawing from three stories in my book to illuminate this burden and address the glaring lack of support for the very people who dedicate their lives to protecting society’s most vulnerable.

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The Invisible Burden of Child Protection

Child Protection Workers are driven by a deep sense of purpose. They enter the field determined to make a difference, often carrying the belief that their efforts can help heal broken systems and lives. What they’re not always prepared for is the emotional toll of witnessing relentless trauma, hearing the cries of children in pain, and navigating bureaucracies that often hinder their ability to make meaningful change.

This work doesn’t just demand professional expertise—it demands an emotional and mental investment. Workers frequently form deep attachments to the children they’re trying to help, only to face situations where they cannot guarantee their safety. Over time, the weight of these experiences accumulates, leaving many workers emotionally depleted and, in some cases, traumatized.

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Stories of the Human Cost

In Child Protection Behind Closed Doors, I share real-life accounts that reveal the personal toll this work takes.

The Systemic Failure

The reality is stark: the system meant to protect children frequently neglects those tasked with doing the protecting. Child Protection Workers face overwhelming caseloads, insufficient funding, and the constant pressure of making life-altering decisions.

Even more troubling, there is little to no focus on the mental health of these workers. Burnout is rampant, as are symptoms of secondary trauma, anxiety, and depression. Many workers leave the field entirely, struggling to rebuild their lives after years of unrelenting stress.

This lack of support creates a vicious cycle. As experienced workers burn out and leave, their knowledge and expertise are lost, leaving the system even weaker. Those who remain are left to shoulder an even greater burden, perpetuating the cycle.

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The Fallout: Beyond the Job

For many, leaving child protection work is not the end of the struggle. The emotional scars can linger long after they’ve left the field. Some describe feeling like they’ve lost their identity or their faith in humanity. Others experience guilt for stepping away, even though staying would have jeopardized their mental health.

The implications of this fallout extend beyond the workers themselves. The loss of seasoned professionals means that children in crisis may not receive the care and advocacy they desperately need. The system cannot function effectively when those within it are barely surviving.

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A Call to Action

The stories in Child Protection Behind Closed Doors are not just cautionary tales—they’re a call to action. We need to recognize and address the psychological toll of child protection work. This means providing adequate mental health resources, reducing caseloads, and creating systems that support—not hinder—workers in their mission.

Most importantly, it means valuing the people who do this vital work. Their resilience and dedication should not come at the cost of their mental health and well-being.

If we don’t care for those who protect our most vulnerable, who will step forward to take their place?

Let’s start the conversation, and let’s demand better—for the children, for the workers, and for the future of child protection.

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Here are just three stories that stand out:Top of Form

She Had a Hissy Fit in Front of Her Colleagues

I noticed that one of my work colleagues, whom I had worked with for a long time and also classed as a close friend, was extremely upset. A couple of us approached Jennifer to see if she was all right, but management came over and ushered us into our regular group meeting, stating they would attend to Jennifer.

Two hours later, we came out of the meeting, and I heard what sounded like a sobbing noise coming from one of the interview rooms. I went to investigate and observed Jennifer on her own, and she appeared worse than she had when I left her to go into the meeting. I told her, “Grab your things, I am taking you to the doctor.”

There was a surgery one block away, so we walked there. I booked her in and explained the current circumstances to the receptionist. We didn’t have to wait long, but my work mobile phone kept ringing, and I received text messages from management demanding I return to the office. I ignored them and turned my mobile off. After Jennifer had been seen by the doctor, who diagnosed her with having a mental breakdown, I informed Jennifer that I would organise for her to be taken home.

When I returned to the office, management demanded I come into the unit manager’s office and explain myself. I was informed that there would be a formal warning for ignoring management directions. I responded, “No, there won’t be. You had a duty of care to Jennifer, and you failed to meet that duty of care; therefore, I took her to the doctor.”

Management stated, “She had a hissy fit in front of her work colleagues.” I responded, “A hissy fit? The doctor has diagnosed her as having a mental breakdown, and the last time I looked, you’re not qualified to make that assessment. The doctor trumps you.” Obviously, I did not receive a formal warning, and Jennifer never returned to Child Protection.

I caught up with Jennifer and a couple of other people who used to work at Child Protection, and we got talking about the lack of support Child Protection offers to ‘some’ workers. I emphasise the word ‘some.’ Keep reading for the story that will explain what I mean about Child Protection singling out workers based on whether they will assist your career or try their hardest to terminate it.

When you are trodden on and held down,

 turn to the people who will hold out their hand and help you stand up.

 

Management Ordered My Colleagues Not to Communicate with Me

Just a little update on my journey. I had my first epileptic seizure in June 2009, when I returned to work after being off for three months. I worked for a further three years before I had another seizure and left Child Protection on medical leave in 2012.

Back to the story. When my father passed away, we had a group family photo taken at the wake; this photo was put on the internet. A work colleague found the photo and reached out. I spoke with Lee-Ann and we chatted for quite some time. During this telephone conversation, Lee-Ann informed me that prior to her leaving Child Protection and just after I left (for medical reasons), “Management directed workers to cease all contact with you.” I said in disbelief, “They did what?” Lee-Ann repeated,

“Management directed workers to cease all contact with you.”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “Why would they do that?” Lee-

Ann replied, “Management didn’t say why.”

I left work because I was diagnosed with epilepsy, and I didn’t want to risk dropping a kid. Child Protection might think they’re good, but giving someone epilepsy, they’re not that good. “Did they think I was going to sue or something?” Lee-Ann said, “I really don’t know.”

I was really angry when I heard that. I was at my lowest point when I left work. Even though I was technically still employed by Child Protection, I still felt like I had lost my job, lost my independence because I could not drive, and my friends from work (now I know why no one contacted me).

When I was diagnosed with epilepsy, my whole life turned upside down. I couldn’t have a shower unless someone was home. I couldn’t stand on a stool to get something out of the cupboard. I wasn’t allowed to make a cup of tea in case I spilt boiling water on myself. I was no longer allowed to cook. I know it sounds drastic but I was having numerous seizures a week. On three occasions, I stopped breathing. To

find out that Child Protection deliberately added to my suffering, what type of management was running this office? It appears as though they are heartless and the only thing, I can say is karma is a bitch.

When I first left Child Protection, I was on leave without pay. I regularly provided sick certificates. Even though deep down, I knew I would not be able to return to Child Protection, I needed time to process the changes that were happening to me. I was under a neurologist, a doctor, a psychologist, and a social worker who all assisted me in coming to terms with the changes I needed to make in order to survive.

I became quite emotionally unwell and, for a period of time, would not leave the house; I was lucky that my social worker would come and see me at my mum and dad’s house.

While I was dealing with my own issues, I received a letter from the Child Protection Head Office, notifying me that I had vacated my position and, therefore, my employment had been terminated. I telephoned Head Office and spoke with the person who had written the letter. I informed Sally that I provided regular sick certificates and that I was on leave without pay. Sally informed me that she had been told that I just didn’t turn up for work. Sally was not happy that she had been misled by management at the Child Protection Frankston Office.

I posted Sally a copy of all the sick certificates. I eventually put in my resignation. It wasn’t on the cards that I was going to return to Child Protection; I just needed time to accept that the job that I studied hard for and worked at for nearly a decade was something that I could no longer do.

Thanks for all your support, Child Protection, and yes, I am being a smart arse.

When someone holds all the power and then kicks you while you are down,

 find that inner strength to walk away and say, ‘I am in control.’

The only person who has the right to judge you is you.

Child Protection Will Pay for This

There was an access support worker who I knew struggled physically and emotionally. However, she was not given the support she should have been given by Child Protection when she worked there. This worker ended up leaving Child Protection.

I found out later that she took Child Protection to Court, and to my surprise, she actually won her case. The outcome of the court case was Child Protection was required to pay for the worker’s ongoing financial support in relation to her physical and emotional well-being for the rest of her life, unless it was deemed that it was no longer required. I’m guessing Child Protection was not too happy about that.

When you feel defeated, that’s the time to stand up and let your voice be heard.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

The life of Jo Cooling is like living in a theme park: one minute, it's like riding a roller coaster, baking cupcakes, cookies, and slices. With a kitchen covered with chocolate, flour, and cooking utensils. Also trying to develop new tastes and ideas for her growing baking business.

 

Sometimes, she feels like she travels through life in a Dodge 'em car. All the while, she works to complete two novels while caring for two Cavoodles, who believe their mother was placed on this earth purely to play with them 24 hours a day.

 

But no matter how out of control her life can be at times, eventually, she ends up sailing around on the Walt Disney teacup ride on top of the world. However, when she relaxes, the Cavoodles see this as an opportunity to snuggle on Mum's lap.

 

Jo's work career has been just as colorful as her current life. She has worked in horse and car racing, sold lingerie, designed websites, been a Personal Assistant, and worked as a Law Clerk.

 

Jo looks at life like a box of chocolates: each day unwraps a new layer, revealing unexpected flavors and textures.

 

CONNECT WITH Jo Cooling

 

WEBSITE: jocooling.com

 

INSTAGRAM: @jocoolingauthor

 

 

PURCHASE LINKS Child Protection Behind Closed Doors 

 

AMAZON.COM: https://amazon.com/dp/1779418698

 

AMAZON.AU: https://amazon.com.au/dp/1779418698

 

INDIGO CHAPTERS: https://www.indigo.ca/en-ca/child-protection-behind-closed-doors/9781779418692.html

 

BOOKTOPIA: https://www.booktopia.com.au/search.ep?keywords=9781779418692

 

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GIVEAWAY 

 The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

  

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