Module: Children and Families
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 1:
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.
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 count and not put through Turnitin)
(Assignment type : Case Study & 2 meitheal forms need to be completed, 1 for each child)
NB: Also,this assignment will be on based on Republic of Ireland.
Word Count: 1,500 +/-10%
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
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 Tusla office 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:
Inferior social and coping skills can lead a child to suffer from several vulnerable situations. Alongside, poor physical and mental health can hamper the academic life of kids. Sam and Megan both suffer from several bruises and marks. It might be due to fighting or some sports games. If Sam and Megan have excellent physical health and mental health, they can easily tackle those situations efficiently. According to context, the social worker is responsible for improving the health of the kids. Thus, some useful strategies are required to improve their physical as well as mental health. For treating the children, the social worker needs excellent intervention strategies. Effective and efficient working with the children can develop a bright future for them as well as help the kids to overcome a situation.
Interventions of the social worker to treat Sam and Megan:
1.Enhancement of communication power:
A.Carry out training sessions:
The social worker should recognise the feelings of Sam and Megan in order to carry out a conversation in an efficient manner. In this regard, the caregiver of the Tusla office can carry out a daily basis training classes in order to teach them how to communicate with others. Along with that, some role-play activities can also be carried out by the social worker regarding the enhancement of communication power.
B. Communication through playing:
The social worker should conduct some gaming sessions as children like to play games. During the play session, the social worker and Sam and Megan will communicate with each other that can increase their communication ability (Mentalhelp, 2020). Playing courses with conversation can definitely increase the communication power of Sam and Megan.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
2. Development of confidence:
A.Encourage them in any situation:
Children learn from their mistakes. Thus, the social worker should encourage them though they made some mistakes in any case. If the children feared due to their failure, the social worker should pamper them in order to recover them from the situation (Business Insider. 2020).
B.Appreciate:
The caregiver should appreciate the children regarding any sort of situation. Sam and Megan should gain appreciationfrom the social worker due to their hard work in a gaming session.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
3.Enrich the concentration power:
A.Focus games and exercise:
Children learn through gaming more than studying. Therefore, Crossword puzzles, jigsaw puzzles are effective ways regarding the same (Flintobox. 2020). It should be fun-oriented and development of a joyful environment. Also, the caregiver should restrict tablets, mobiles, desktop as they can distract the children from their gaming.
B.Just sit:
The social worker should tell the children to sit on a chair without moving their any body parts. By this method, Sam and Megan can develop a calm personality. Along with that, the concentration level of them can be increased by this method.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
4. Strategy to support mentally:
A. Listening to their choices
It is very much important for Sam and Megan to get proper mental support. Due to the death of their mother they did not love and support of their mom. In that situation, it is important for social workers to understand their choices first rather than ignoring it (Walke et al., 2018). It will help Sam and Megan to feel much better and can recover from this situation significantly.
B. Sticking with what they love:
The social worker has to understand which things can bring happiness in the life of Sam and Megan. By understating their potential, some training sessions should be organised by the caregiver during which the social worker asked them to take a break from calming activities, and few minuted later the social worker pointed out that they calm themselves down. By the help of this method, proper mental support can be provided.
Advantages:
Disadvantage:
5.Improvement of physical health of the children by the help of stress theory:
According to physician Brosschot et al. (2018), stress can be defined as the non-special response of any body part due to secretion of glucocorticoids. Due to the impact of this, a massive level of stress developed in both of them. Sam and Megan do not communicate effectively regarding the issues due to fact of stress. In this regard, the caregiver should focus on the appraisal focused strategy in order to implement the stress theory and help the kids to overcome from this hazardous situation. The caregiver should try to include outdoor activities for removing stress on the kids. Alongside, according to the stress theory, an emotion-focused strategy should be taken into account by the caregiver. By the help of this approach, the social worker can pent up the emotions of those kids efficiently.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
6.Supporting the kids by resilience theory:
According to Rueben Hill, resilience theory consists of family stress, adaptation and adjustment (Lind et al. 2018). Sam and Megan both are suffering from several bruises. It may be occurred due to sports activities or fighting. Thus, their physical health destructed. According to the resilience theory, the social worker should communicate competently with the children. Alongside, positive attributes should be developed in the kids. Besides, family flexibility should be incorporated. Moreover, Sam and Megan should be put into social integration by the caregiver in order to procure their mental and physical health.
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
7. Improvement of physical health of the kids:
Sam and Megan need to develop their physical health to a greater extent. Thus, the social worker should conduct some fun play activities. By this strategy, the kids will be more involved with exercise which can improve their health. Alongside, active toys should be provided to the kids by the caregiver such as balls, jump ropes, etc. Furthermore, a training session should be conducted by the caregiver regularly to give the time for exercise (Driediger et al 2018).
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
8. How to improve the mental health of the children:
The social worker should teach the kids that everyday's survival is common for everyone on this earth. Often it is found that, children get stuck due to too much focusing on the struggles. In this regard, the caregiver should provide them the knowledge of natural skills and passion. By the help of this self esteem can be developed within the kids. Leisure activities are truly beneficial regarding this (Blogger, 2020). By developing high coping skills mental growth can be achieved. In fact, this strategy can make them helathier, strong and confident.
Advantages:
DisAdvantages:
Conclusion:
For developing good character with excellent coping skills, enriched concentration power, positive attitude, the strategies mentioned above are very useful. If the social worker can deploy the plan, Sam and Megan's life can transform into a prosperous life.
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Pages: 4
Words: 890