Learning Outcomes:
On successful completion of this module the learner should be able to:
LO1: On completion of the module students will be able to evaluate working with children and families from a range of theoretical frameworks.
LO2: Articulate and appraise the range of interventions employed in working with children and families who have experienced abuse, trauma and a range of stresses in their lives.
LO3: Critically evaluate assessment, intervention and ongoing support frameworks used when working with children and families.
Assignment: - REQUIRES TWO MEITHEAL FORMS
With reference to theory and best practice principles students are required to complete the Meitheal Strengths and Needs Record Form for the Case Study given. As the Meitheal Form states, one needs to be completed per child, thus both Sam and Megan in the Case Study will require one each. Once completed students are required to articulate and appraise the range of interventions they have highlighted in the Strengths and Needs Record Form.
The Meitheal form can be found by doing a google search for: Meitheal Strengths and Needs Form.
(The completed form needs to be handed in with the hard copy of the assignment however should not be included in the word countand not put through Turnitin)
Word Count: 1,600. COUNT, DOES NOT INCLUDE REFRENCES).
This assignment is worth 40% of your overall grade
Format:
Assignment should:
• Typed in Times New Roman or Ariel font size 12
• Spacing 1.5
• Adopt a discursive, formal, objective tone throughout.
• Provide a word count at the end excluding reference list
• A cover page with student name, student number, module and lecturer name
• You must include a reference list
• You must attach the feedback sheet
Assignments must be submitted to Turnitin by 9.59pm on the submission date. If assignments are not submitted via Turnitin, this will be regarded as a non-submission and no mark will be awarded.
A hard copy must also be handed up on the submission date.
Failure to submit on the specified submission date will result in a 0 mark. To receive marks, work must be submitted to Turnitin and a hard copy submitted
SAMPLE CASE STUDY
SAM AND MEGAN
Father: Andrew Kelly – 45 years old
Mother:Mary Kelly – Deceased
Children:Sam Kelly – 17 years old
Megan Kelly – 14 years old
__________________________________________________________________________
Presenting Situation:
Maternal grandmother, Mrs. Clarke, called her local Tuslaoffice on a Friday at 2pm to request an investigation of her son – in – law’s home. Mrs. Clarke believes her granddaughter and grandson are being abused by their father. Grandson, Sam, is 17 and granddaughter, Megan, is 14. Their mother, (her daughter) is deceased.
Mrs. Clarke reported her grandchildren spend one weekend a month in her care. They are currently with her, and she saw bruises on Megan’s arms and legs. She is also concerned that Sam has bruises; however, he is wearing a long sleeved shirt and trousers and will not allow her to look. Megan and Sam will not discuss what has caused the bruising. Sam said his father did get upset with him and with Megan but would not say anything further.
Mrs. Clarke did not want to send the children back home on Sunday afternoon. She said her son-in-law had developed a serious temper, and she is afraid he has begun to abuse the children. She said since her daughter died earlier this year, Andrew has become increasingly angry and verbally abusive toward the children even in her presence. She has not seen him hit the children, but she has heard him shouting at them.
After discussing the call with the duty social worker, an available social worker made a visit to Mrs. Clarke’s home. She met with Mrs. Clarke, Sam and Megan. Megan was crying and refused to speak. Sam would only say his father’s temper has got worse since Mary’s death.
The social worker observed several marks on Megan’s arms and legs: two round shaped marks about 1.5 inches in diameter on either side of her left upper arm and three marks on the back of her right calf, each about two inches in length and .5 inches in width. The social worker said “You have several bruises, Megan. Can you tell me how you got them?” Megan cried harder and did not respond. The social worker said, “Sometimes I talk to teenagers who are unsure about whether to talk to me. They want their family to get help but they don’t want anyone to get into trouble.” Megan continued to bow her head and cry. Sam said “Look, just please stop asking questions; we can handle it and you are just going to make things worse.” The social worker explained that she and other social workers have been able to help other families before. She explained that she know the children’s mother has passed and expressed her condolences. She said, “Sometimes when families are grieving, people need extra help. Maybe that is so for your family?” The children did not comment. Mrs. Clarke tried to get her granddaughter to discuss their home life but they continued to remain silent. Sam refused to show the social worker his arms or legs.
The available social worker spoke with the duty social worker and concluded the children needed to stay with Mrs. Clarke until the father could be interviewed. The social worker instructed Mrs. Clarke to contact the duty social worker if Andrew called or came to pick up the children. Mrs. Clarke stated she does not hear from Andrew when she has the children, and he does not respond when she calls. Mrs. Clarke made a point to tell the social worker she wants the children to be with their father but only if the children are treated well and remain safe.
After leaving Mrs. Clarke, the available social worker tried calling the father at his home but received no answer. The social worker also called Andrew’s mobile phone number provided by Mrs. Clarke. There was no answer, and the social worker left numerous messages by voice mail.
Current Situation:
On Sunday morning, the guards received a frantic call from Andrew. He wanted to know why a social worker was calling him. The Guards advised Andrew to phone Mrs. Clarke to discuss the situation.
Andrew phoned Mrs. Clarke and asked if Megan and Sam were safe. She told him they were but that a report had been made to Tusla alleging abuse of Sam and Megan. She stated to him that social workers wanted to talk to him on Monday. Andrew become angry and stated he could not “handle the children” since Mary’s death. He stated they were “ungrateful” and could just stay with her (Grandmother) “forever”. Andrew hung up at this point and the children stayed with their grandmother.
The duty social worker contacted Andrew on Monday morning and explained he needed to come into the social work offices that day to see her. Andrew stated he would be available after work that day at 4pm and did not want the children home. The duty social worker asked if Mrs. Clarke agreed could the children stay with her. Andrew agreed stating “She can have them.” The duty social worker told Andrew she would see him in the social work offices that afternoon at 4pm. The duty social worker contacted Mrs. Clarke, and she agreed to keep the children for as long as necessary
Introduction:
Development of a child in multiple aspects is significant to overcome a hazardous situation as well as to combat future challenges. According to the scenario, Sam and Megan both are subjected to several bruises and marks. The responsible social worker thinks that both children may get injuries due to some fight or sports games. The social worker od Tusla tries to improve the physical health and mental health of both the kids in order to recover them from an unsafe condition. Along with that, the caregiver wishes to develop the kid's social belongingness. In regards to this, the caregiver should have effective training. By working efficiently with the kids, the caregiver can improve their health as well as their belongingness to the community. The social worker should implement some strategies to do the same which are described below briefly;
Interventions for the social worker regarding the treatment of Megan and Sam:
1.Erikson's 8 stages of psychosocial development:
According to theory, ego plays a major role in the development of attitudes, personality, ideas and skills of a person (Erikson’s 8 Stages of Psychosocial Development, 2020). By mastering on the method, children can effectively develop a bright future for themselves. During each stage of development, some psychosocial contradictions are arising which has to be overcome in order to create a healthy and prosperous life.
Mistrust vs trust:
Every child needs their parents should trust them (Dunkel and Hartke, 2017). Thus, regarding the context, the caregiver should develop trustworthy bonding with Sam and Megan by conducting some role-play sessions. Alongside, the caregiver should treat the children gently to achieve the trust of the kids.
Doubt vs anatomy:
It is the stage of controlling the actions and activities of children (Branjeand Koper,2018). Also, this stage can be named as ‘me do it'. The caregiver should give freedom to Sam and Megan regarding their choice and actions. As an example, if the kids selected something to wear but the dress is not appropriate in that situation though the caregiver should give independence to their selection. By the help of this stage, self-esteem can be developed in the children.
Guilt vs initiative:
It is the stage which helps to realise the guilty and take appropriate action. The caregiver should set some goals or achievements regarding this stage. By achieving the goals, Sam and Megan can develop self-confidence.
Inferiority vs industry:
This is the stage in which children compare them with their peers (Degges-White, 2017). Sometimes they feel some inferiority and sometimes they able to develop a sense of pride. By accomplishing school works, sports children can feel proud. Thus, the social worker should set a target which has to be achieved by Megan and Sam.
Role confusion vs identity:
Children want to get the answers of ‘who am I?', ‘what do I can in my life?'. The responsible social worker should conduct some sessions of role play in order to develop a positive attitude in the kids.
Isolation vs intimacy:
For developing a positive character and increase the belongingness with community, children should understand the value of their thoughts. Thus, the caregiver encourages the children to play some outdoor games or to engage with the community in order to provide the feeling of belongingness.
Stagnation vs Generativity:
During this stage, children learn the skills which are helpful to support the community. Regarding the age of Sam, the social worker should engage him with the social workings to learn social skills.
Despair vs integrity:
In this stage, the caregiver should provide the feeling of achieving to the kids. Appreciation, rewards regarding a task can help the caregiver regarding this.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
2. Stress theory:
Stress can be defined as the response of a body part due to the effect of glucocorticoids (Steele et al. 2016). Megan and Sam both are suffering from a certain level of stress. They are afraid to communicate with the caregiver regarding the impact of stress. The caregiver in this regard should implement appraisal focused strategy in order to reduce the stress form the kids. In regards to this, the caregiver should appraise the kids and appreciate their every task during some activities like gameplay or interaction sessions.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
3. Implementation of the resilience theory:
Resilience theory becomes quite popular since the past few decades. This theory helps social workers to care about the stress management of kids and also for adults. The benefit of this theory is that this theory assists in developing a prosperous future and in handling stress that can be generated by maltreatment, misbehaviour, and so on (Liu et al. 2017). Regarding the theory, the caregiver should treat the kids gently. The social worker should conduct some conversation sessions with Megan and Sam in order to recognise their feelings and thoughts. Along with that, a neighbourhood circumstance should be developed by the caregiver regarding the implementation of this theory. Flexibility should be incorporated in the tasks which help the caregiver to provide the essence of belongingness to the children. The caregiver should integrate Sam and Megan with social works in order to develop their mental health.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
4. Improvement of physical health:
Individuals health effects on the whole community in which they belong. Also, inferior health hampers future development and educational opportunities (Unitedway, 2020). Thus, some strategies should be implemented by the caregiver to improve the physical health of the kids which are given below briefly;
Exercise:
The social worker should organise some exercise sessions in order to enhance the physical health of Sam and Megan. Exercising at home can develop a robust and positive character in the kids. Regarding the same, push-ups, sit-ups, lunges, stretching can be very effective.
More water:
As everyone's body is composed of water, thus remaining hydrated is very crucial to improve health. Therefore, the social worker should fix a schedule in which Megan and Sam drink water.
Sleep:
Sleeping at a specific time regularly helps kids to restore the lost energy in the exercise. Also sleeping at night allows people to repair the damaged cells. Apart from that brain also rebooted by the help of good sleep. Thus, the caregiver should schedule the time of sleep.
Handwashing:
Most viruses attack and spread due to remain dirty and unhygienic. Thus, handwashing is a crucial factor to restrict virus attacks. The social worker in regards to the hygiene should focus on the regular handwashing of the kids to improve their health as well as to restrict future attacks.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
5. Improvement of mental health:
Future development crucially depends upon the mental health of kids (Pruess, 2020). Thus, the caregiver should focus on the mental health improvement of Sam and Megan. Remain happy is not just a way to develop a prosperous future. Some other stuff is also required to improve mental health. There are massive strategies present which should be implemented by the social worker in order to strengthen the mental health of the kids.
Advantage:
Disadvantage:
Conclusion
For developing a bright and healthy future, it is necessary to be physically and mentally healthier person. Also, belongingness is an essential factor for children as they want from everybody who surrounded them. The theories which are described earlier as well as the stated strategies are beneficial to develop belongingness with community, physical health and mental health. The social worker can quickly improve the condition of Megan and Sam by implementing the above strategies. The caregiver can transform the current situation into a bright future for both the kids.
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Pages: 4
Words: 890