Working with Children and Families - Case Study Example

Working with Children and Families: A Case Study The study is based on the case of a seven year old child Debbie who has been experiencing social development problems due to the problematic household environments she is in. The main focus of the study is to present the different aspects of social works in relation to the welfare of children and other members of the family. The Different Aspects of Family Intervention In working with children and families, the evaluation of the different aspects that can affect a person is the primary step. Based on the case study, Debbie and the components of the world she is living in is the main focus. Upon identification of the factors, the intervention is at hand. The different aspects of intervention in the families are historical, social, psychological and legal in nature. These aspects are incorporated in the guidelines that are being followed by the social workers to resolve the case specific problems of the clients (Hepworth et. al., 2009; Horwath, 2000). The Historical Aspect of Intervention The historical aspect is one of the facets in the implementation of family intervention. This aspect is important to be able to determine the possible causes of the situation wherein intervention is required as well as the background information for assessing the needs of the person. Included in the historical aspect are the family members in the household and the relationship to the person in need of assistance. Another factor included in the said aspect is the experiences of the parents and the events that had happened in the family that may have triggered the problematic situation. The interactions and interrelationship between family members that may have directly or indirectly affect the perspective and disposition of the person in focus. In addition, the strengths and the weaknesses of the parents that can trigger the changes in behaviour and way of thinking of the person are also included in the fundamental historical components of the family intervention (Horwath, 2000, p.56, 80-82). For the child Debbie, the members of her immediate family are in the household, her parents and her siblings. Historical aspect of the intervention includes the relationship between the family members and their effect on the child. Her mother Irene is agoraphobic and her brother is severely disabled. Other issues make matters worse such as the situation of the father John who is not employed. The conflicts within the household are having effects on Debbie and Hannah who are exhibiting violent behaviours and problems in learning. The Social Aspect of Intervention The social aspect of the intervention in the family is another area of importance. This can be attributed to the fact that a person, or in this case a child is in need of a relationship not only within the immediate family but also outside the home to be able to have a normal and secured development as a person. The social aspect covers the determination and evaluation of the local neighbourhood and community where the child belongs. Such assessment includes the availability of the basic needs such as ‘water sources, heating facilities, sanitation and cooking.’ Even the level of cleanliness and safety are considered in the said aspect. The most important consideration in the social environment of the child is related to the access for health care and educational facilities along with necessities such as transportation and other public facilities (Horwath, 2000, p.56). Upon the study of Debbie’s case, there are different points that can be classified under the social aspect of intervention. One is in relation to the need of the family for support with regards to healthcare for the mother and the disabled brother. When such attention is given there is a possible improvement in the environment that the child, Debbie and her older sister is growing up to. In addition, the situation of the father, John is also another issue related to the society. Employment and jobs for the parents are needed to be available within the vicinity to be able to provide for the needs of the family both in the financial aspect and the parental guidance for the children. The Psychological Aspect of Intervention When the preliminary and baseline information gathering had been undertaken, one of the most important phase towards giving action and solution to the problem of the person in social works is the psychological aspect. It is important on the basis of the assessment of the extent and severity of the effect in the behaviour of the person who needed assistance. For children, the developmental aspect is also considered due to the possible effect on the attitude and outlook in life while growing up (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.187). There are different contributing factors to the psychological situation surrounding the person. One is the guidance, care and acceptance of the parents and family members. The behaviour of the immediate family and other people in the society is also the result of the interaction of different factors. For that matter, in the analysis of the psychological aspect of the intervention, the totality of issues and factors surrounding the person is taken into consideration. In relation, the indications of problems affecting the psychological aspect in a person or a child are needed to be given attention (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.187). In the case of Debbie, having tantrums, being stressed and having problems in learning are some of the indications of the need to focus in the psychological aspect of the intervention. Other members of the household are also needed to be given help in the said aspect including her sister Hannah who is exhibiting violent reactions and behaviours towards other people. Having unresolved problematic issues around her, Debbie can continue to grow having problematic behaviour and outlook in life. The Legal Aspect of Intervention Due to the fact that intervention through social works is a delicate process on the basis of the need to intercede within the family and the household, the legal aspect of the intervention is essential. This is on the aim of protecting the rights of the person while changing or improving the interpersonal relationship within the family. This aspect is specifically important for families and people who had experienced abuse or neglect (Davies and Duckett, 2008). Legal aspect serves as the guidelines for the implementation of the intervention in the family. In the case of Debbie, the legal aspect can be the main basis for the consideration of neglect by her parents. This is specifically based on the rights the child to acquire her basic needs. It is the legal aspect of intervention which has the capability to intervene and decide on the legality of providing institutional care for the child (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.416). Roles of Social Works Social works is a discipline that is mainly aimed to assist people in achieving goals through different hindrances. To be able to perform suck tasks, an intricate and complex interaction of factors needs to be working together. The actions undertaken in social works are case-specific thus proper legal, social and psychological guidelines are needed to be at hand. One of the roles of social work then is to uphold the welfare of the community and the every human being within the community. This is the reason why the rights of every person are being safeguarded. In the implementation of the objectives of social works the importance of the multidisciplinary system is recognized. This can be attributed to the different facets of action targeted by the said discipline (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.5). One purpose of social works is to sustain and advocate social and economic justice. This is undertaken through by assisting victims of injustice by educating and empowering them for a new and better life. Another is the resolution of social issues and problems on the family level. These include effects of poverty and unemployment which can greatly affect family life. In general, the perspective of social works is to help every member of the community in the improvement of their quality of life by looking through all the aspects involved in an individual’s existence such as physical and psychological and on the different levels such as personal, interpersonal and community-based (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.5). The role of social works then is the amalgamation of the different objectives, factors and advocacies that will fail to work if applied separately. From the process of assessment, to policy making, analysis and application of interventions, every phase is targeted to uphold the welfare of the people. The work of social workers then is to employ preventive, restorative and remedial actions to be able to achieve the goals and perform the roles of social works (Hepworth et. al., 2009, p.5). Specific Needs of Children with Disabilities In social works, the welfare of the children is one of the primary concerns since they are incapable of fighting for their rights and achieving social justices on their own. The attention for children’s needs is intensified for those who have special needs and with disabilities. Based on studies, these children are prone to emotional abuse due to being alienated and seen with impairment (Davies and Duckett, 2008, p.6). There are important policies being implemented and followed that promote the well-being of the children with disabilities. These children need comparatively greater attention and care from the immediate family to be able to improve their attitude. In relation to the needs for attention and care, there are institutions that were established on the purpose of giving care and educating the families with disabled children. This is important on both the child with disability to be able to cope and be independent and for the parents and relatives to be able to know how to take care of them and to handle problems that can be encountered while the child is growing up (Horwath, 2000, p.207; Davies and Duckett, 2008, p.6). For the parents it is important for them to know how to fairly treat the children. This is to avoid abuse and conflicts between siblings. The acceptance is also important to prevent the social restrictions that can be felt by the siblings and the disabled child himself to establish interpersonal relationships outside the protection of the home (Horwath, 2000, p.207; Davies and Duckett, 2008, p.6). Child Abuse and Neglect The cases of child abuse and neglect are included in the concerns of social works. This can be attributed to the negative effects that these issues can bring about to the children. There are different types of abuse and neglect that can be experienced by children. These include emotional abuse, sexual abuse, neglect and physical abuse. Each of these has legal consequence due to the effects that it can cause to the child (Davies and Duckett, 2008). Signs and symptoms of an abused and neglected child can be observed in the different aspects of personality. It can be from the emotional, intellectual or cognitive and psychological. Basically, emotional signs can be related to the exhibition of tantrums and violent uproars. The problems in learning and educational achievement can be related to the intellectual and cognitive indications. Psychological symptoms can be observed in the process of decision making of the child. In addition to these signs, the physical can be considered as an evident and immediate basis of abuse or neglect. These symptoms can hinder the proper development of the child (Horwath, 2000, p.207). Principles and Practice of Working in Partnership Families and Carers and Focusing on the Child In the process of social works, there are professional and ethical guidelines. These are important specifically due to the partnership that is needed to be undertaken with the family and the community for a successful intervention. For that matter, every aspects of the discipline are needed to be taken into strict account. There professional guidelines include steps undertaken when helping a person. One is the preparation and data gathering to be able to establish the basis for the intervention needed to be undertaken. Second is planning the action needed to be undertaken and asking the support of the family and the community. Upon the achievement of the primary phases, the intervention is undertaken along with the support that can be given to the person. Through the process, the competence of the social worker is important to the success of the intervention (Davies and Duckett, 2008). In every part of the intervention, it is important to consider the ethical guidelines. The failure to uphold these guidelines will hinder the success of the process. One reason is that social work promotes and protects human rights, thus, ethical guidelines are needed to be strictly followed (Hepworth et. al., 2009). Another issue is related to the importance of evidence-based practice. Social works is mainly works on practical application in real life situations. For that matter, evidence-based studies help improve the effectiveness of the interventions and the actions that are undertaken. Assessment of Debbi’s Case In the study of Debbie and her family, there are different points that are needed to be stressed. The problems in the household had been affecting the children. Signs of neglect can be observed in Jack, Debbie and Hannah. They all have tantrums and violent tendencies. Jack who is disabled needs additional care. Debbie and Hannah on the other hand need moral support and parental care to be able to resolve issues that are even evident in their learning capabilities. Even Debbie’s parents need social care and support. Irene needs to be given medical attention and John needs counselling regarding the need to have the capability to support the family. Basically, these are the possible actions that can be undertaken to help the family. Due to the fact that social works is a complex discipline, it is important to continuously assess the situation every step of the intervention process. References: Davies, L. and Duckett, N. (2008). Proactive Child Protection and Social Work. UK: Learning Matters Ltd. Garbarino, J. (1992). Children and Families in the Social Environment. Aldine Transaction. Hepworth, D. H., Rooney, R. H., Rooney, G. D., Strom-Gottfried, K. and Larsen, J. A. (2009). Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Belmont, CA: Cengage Learning. Horwath, J.A. (2000). The Child’s World: Assessing Children in Need. UK: Jessica Kingley Publishers. O’Hagan, K. (2007). Competence in Social Work Practice: A Practical Guide for Students and Professionals. UK: Jessica Kingley Publishers. Read More