Youth Support Service - Case Study Example

Social Work Case Study Student’s Name Institutional Affiliation Date Max Organization Type: Youth Support Service Introduction Max’s case is that of a run-away youth following constant family disputes with his mother and step-father. He is only a 16-year old youth who started taking drugs when he was still in school. In this case, his primary caregivers are his mother, Justine, and stepfather, Michael. Following his runaway, Max has visited the youth support service several times to seek for emergency assistance. His mother has shown some interest in trying to resolve the issues that Max undergoes when at home so that he would go back home. In this case, Max is not sure of what he will do which is where I as a social worker has come in. This paper will discuss the things that I would do in trying to help Max. One of them will be to undertake a risk assessment of Max’s situation, evaluate the organizational context and my role as a social worker, some considerations that will be taken in dealing with the situation. The paper will also use some social work theories to discuss some of the issues present in this case. Risk Assessment It has been eight months since Max has been under any form of consistent care. He has been using Marijuana, yet he is young which means that there is a probability that he is mostly under the influence of the drug. This presents a significant risk in the normal functioning of his brain yet he is by himself. He is probably under great frustration from the consistent arguments that he has always had with his stepfather which means that he is bitter with his primary caregivers. Max’s wishes are to get along with his parents and not be forced to live in an environment where there are constant arguments. The child’s wishes are proving to be important to the caregiver, his mother, as she has tried to reach out to him to try and settle the issue. The child’s wishes do not put them at further risk instead he will be safer if the dispute in his household will be resolved. Max has an institutional support system which is the youth support service, but he has not used them very much. Organizational Context of the Youth Support Service In this case, Max was informed of the youth support service where he would obtain food and maybe charge his phone. The youth support service recognizes that Max’s case is that of a runaway youth. Like many other youths who run away from their homes, Max has cited family conflict as the primary reason for his action. According to surveys the relationship of the young people with drug abuse, step-parent, pregnancy, and other school issues was cited as some of the strong predictors that resulted in a family discord just like in Max’s case (Maidment & Egan, 2016). It is, therefore, crucial that the youth support service realizes this so that they would understand best on how to assist Max rather than just giving him food and a place to charge his phone. Following this, the youth support service is obligated to provide shelter, some after-care services, as well as counseling services to Max more so because he is under the age of 18 years. Additionally, since he began using marijuana when he was young, his chances of being addicted are high which means the organization ought to offer him with some assistance to reduce the risk of Max being highly dependent on the drug. Role of a Social Worker Practitioner Social workers, including myself, are aware that it is highly challenging to deal with teenagers together with their families. Most of these teenagers often struggle with some issues which are related to some high-risk behaviors, substance abuse, school performance, as well as family relationships (Slesnick et al., 2000). In this case, myself as a social worker has to deal with Max’s issues which are concerned with family conflict, substance abuse, as well as school performance. Therefore, my role as a social worker will be to first evaluate Max’s needs as well as the needs of his family. Then I would have to seek for information as well as some referral services and programs that Max would need. It is also the role of the social worker to seek for some counseling services as well as the information regarding the crucial ‘warning signs’ of the teenager and the probable consequences if these signs are not addressed on time. Finally, the overall role and objective of the social worker would be to ensure the safety and wishes of Max are achieved without compromising the wishes, comfort, and safety of his immediate caregivers who are his mother and stepfather. Primary Client The main client in this case study is Max, who is the 16-year old boy who ran away from his home because of the consistent disputes with his mother and step-father. He has been wandering in various places searching for a place to stay which makes him vulnerable. Additionally, he is under the influence of marijuana drug something that increases his vulnerability. Consideration of his Significant Others Max’s significant others, in this case, are his mother, Justine, stepfather, Michael, and his grandmother, Thelma. It is evident that most of the children are usually best cared for and protected when they are within their family (Slesnick et al., 2009). However, if these family members who are supposed to be the caregivers of the child are proving to either be unable or unwilling to give protection to these children, then the responsibility of providing this care shifts to the wider community (Slesnick et al., 2009). Therefore, in dealing with Max’s case, some considerations that will be taken for his significant others include; The social worker will ensure that there is the promotion and protection of the spiritual and cultural identity of Max while at the same time ensuring that his connection with his family is maintained. The social worker will also enable the family of Max, particularly his mother and stepfather to also have access to the necessary services which will ensure that Max continues to stay under their care safely. The social worker will also give the significant other of Max the opportunity to put the necessary efforts to show that they are willing to assume their custodial responsibilities of Max and ensure that he is safe when he is at home. Initial Thoughts on the Case My initial thoughts of Max’s case were just that of a typical runaway youth. There are many such cases that I have come across as a social worker which means that it is nothing very new. However, although there are many such cases, I always feel that they cannot all be handled in the same way because of the differences in the contexts in which they take place. Following this, I am positive that Max will eventually be comfortable going back to his home because his mother has shown some interests in trying to resolve the issue and Max is considering going back home as well. Consideration when Preparing to work In preparing to work with Max, in this case, the following are some of the considerations; I would consider the significance of Max’s family preference and integrity when it comes to avoiding removing Max from his home. The second consideration would be the safety, health, and protection of Max. I would also consider the emotional relationships and ties that exist between Max and his parents, grandmother, and maybe his sister as well. I will seek the assurance that once Max goes back home, he will still be given the guidance, treatment, and care which will help him to become an adult who is self-sufficient. Another crucial aspect of consideration will be the wishes of Max as well as his physical and mental needs (Courtney, Terao & Bost, 2004). Theories in Understanding Max’s Situation Strength-Based Practice The theory of Strength-Based Practice in social work usually presents a particular way of perceiving the clients in a resilient and resourceful way when they are facing adversity (Hammond & Zimmerman, 2012). This means the models in this theory usually identifies and enhances the present capacities of the client to resolve the problem that they are undergoing and thereby improve their life. This approach can then be perceived as a being a respectful means which is channeled towards empowering the vulnerable and oppressed clients which are among the primary objectives of social workers (Hammond & Zimmerman, 2012). Therefore, in this case, Max is the client who needs to be empowered to make better decisions and at the same time ensure that he is safe. He is highly vulnerable and not in a position to make rational and best decisions more so because he is also taking marijuana. Therefore, it is the aim of the social worker to empower him in this aspects and oversee that he goes back home to the care of his parents. Attachment Theory The attachment theory usually focuses on the way children usually develop a strong bond with their caregivers together with the impact it has on their emotional development as they grow into adulthood (Goldberg, Muir & Kerr, 2013). This theory will assist me in understanding the problem in that I will be able to evaluate the child-parent process which influenced Max to learn the ways that he could respond to the worldly problems as well as the way that he learns from the world as well (Goldberg, Muir & Kerr, 2013). Therefore, even as I use this theory in addressing this case, I will focus on listening to Max and then try to reframe the problem that he is presenting concerning his initial intention. This will give me a clear picture of what Max tried to do but maybe failed. How the Understanding of Theories Influence my Approach Strength-Based Practice Understanding the approach of strength-based will influence my approach in understanding that Max is not the problem rather there is an underlying problem instead. From the perspective of strengths-based, I try as much as possible not to frame Max or his parents as the problem but instead approach them as being victims of the problems. When the problems become externalized as separate entities, it gives the social worker the opportunity to understand more of the problem rather than putting the blame on an individual which will, in turn, enable them to come up with the best ways to assist the client deal with the problems (Simmons et al., 2016). Therefore, this model will allow me, as the social worker, to understand the cultural and structural influences of the problem which in turn results to the people in the case behave in the way that they do. When these influences are taken into consideration, then the social worker manages to explore the broader context within which the occurrences take place in the way that they do and in turn, assists in addressing debilitating blames (Payne, 2014). Therefore, as I work with Max, his mother, stepfather, grandmother, as well as the youth support service, the strength-based approach guide me in taking a holistic approach as I handle this problem. Therefore, I will take the time to talk to each of these people one after the other to understand what influences them and the decisions that they take. I will note down what each of them is lacking and their individual expectations from this problem. This will then enable me to come to a common ground and try to merge these expectations so that at least everyone’s wishes can be achieved. Attachment Theory Understanding the attachment theory will enable me to understand the internal world of both the caregivers of Max and him as well. I will try to understand the experiences of Max especially those that are provoking his anxiety behaviors which then result in him being fearful of being at home with his parents. Among the primary concepts of conceptualization is mentalization which will be a critical tool as I work with Max’s parents (Schore & Schore, 2008). It will assist me in knowing the best way to help Max’s struggling parents to meet the needs of their child. In working with the people, in this case, I will mainly need to understand what Max’s parents, both his mother and stepfather think about their child and what they think their child is thinking about them. Max’s mother has tried to reach out to him so that she would solve the issues about their family conflicts and ultimately he goes back home. However, Max is still confused about whether or not he wants to go back home. In doing this, it will be essential that I have unsentimental compassion as well as intelligent kindness when dealing with Max and his parents as well (Schore & Schore, 2008). Working in this way with Max, and his parents will enable me to not only understand where they are coming from but to also assist them in getting to where they intend to go with the issue at hand. Chosen Approach; Attachment Theory Approach According to research, it is critical for the social workers to temporarily offer their clients something that is known as a ‘secure base’ or a ‘haven’ (Waters et al., 2002). This is a place where the clients feel safe more the one who is struggling the most who in this case is Max. This is the place where Max can utilize to venture the world once again while at the same time be used to offer his parents and the other family members with the necessary support channeled towards change. Following this, this approach will be useful for the social worker to evaluate how the past experiences of all the parties in the case affect their present actions which will significantly assist the social worker to assist all the parties in question (Waters et al., 2002). According to research, some of the family unresolved issues, trauma, or loss in the past experiences of the caregivers can typically impact their efforts and progress significantly to work with their current issues. Therefore, this approach will be useful not only in giving temporary solutions to the issue at hand but will give some permanent solutions to the problems through settling the past issues or baggage which result in them in acting in the way that they do presently (Waters et al., 2002). Conclusion Max is a 16-year old teenager who has run away from home for eight months following some conflicts with his mother and stepfather. The aim of the social worker, in this case, is to ensure that Max and his family members are reunited and are living in a safe and healthy environment. The primary client is Max, and his significant others are his parents and grandmother. The considerations of Max’s significant others, as well as his considerations, have been discussed. Some of the theories which have been used to understand the issue include the strength-based approach and the attachment theory, and their usefulness has been discussed. The method that will be used in handling the issue is the attachment theory approach, and its usefulness has been discussed as well. References Courtney, M. E., Terao, S., & Bost, N. (2004). Midwest evaluation of the adult functioning of former foster youth: Conditions of youth preparing to leave state care (pp. 1-60). Chapin Hall Center for Children at the University of Chicago.. Goldberg, S., Muir, R., & Kerr, J. (2013). Attachment theory: Social, developmental, and clinical perspectives. Routledge. Hammond, W., & Zimmerman, R. (2012). A strengths-based perspective. A report for resiliency initiatives. Maidment, J., & Egan, R. (2016). (Eds.) (3rd ed.). Practice skills in social work and welfare: More than just common sense. Crows Nest, NSW: Allen and Unwin. (Chapter 1 The Integrated Framework Page 3-18 and Chapter 13 Working with Families Page 196 - 206) Payne, M (2014). Modern Social Work Theory, Palgrave Macmillan Chapters 1,2,3 Schore, J. R., & Schore, A. N. (2008). Modern attachment theory: The central role of affect regulation in development and treatment. Clinical Social Work Journal, 36(1), 9-20. Simmons, C. A., Shapiro, V. B., Accomazzo, S., & Manthey, T. J. (2016). Strengths-based social work: A meta-theory to guide social work research and practice. Slesnick, N., Dashora, P., Letcher, A., Erdem, G., & Serovich, J. (2009). A review of services and interventions for runaway and homeless youth: Moving forward. Children and Youth Services Review, 31(7), 732-742. Slesnick, N., Meyers, R. J., Meade, M., & Segelken, D. H. (2000). Bleak and hopeless no more: Engagement of reluctant substance-abusing runaway youth and their families. Journal of Substance Abuse Treatment, 19(3), 215-222. Waters, E., Crowell, J., Elliott, M., Corcoran, D., & Treboux, D. (2002). Bowlby's secure base theory and the social/personality psychology of attachment styles: Work (s) in progress. Attachment & Human Development, 4(2), 230-242. Read More

Finally, the overall role and objective of the social worker would be to ensure the safety and wishes of Max are achieved without compromising the wishes, comfort, and safety of his immediate caregivers who are his mother and stepfather. Primary Client The main client in this case study is Max, who is the 16-year old boy who ran away from his home because of the consistent disputes with his mother and step-father. He has been wandering in various places searching for a place to stay which makes him vulnerable.

Additionally, he is under the influence of marijuana drug something that increases his vulnerability. Consideration of his Significant Others Max’s significant others, in this case, are his mother, Justine, stepfather, Michael, and his grandmother, Thelma. It is evident that most of the children are usually best cared for and protected when they are within their family (Slesnick et al., 2009). However, if these family members who are supposed to be the caregivers of the child are proving to either be unable or unwilling to give protection to these children, then the responsibility of providing this care shifts to the wider community (Slesnick et al., 2009). Therefore, in dealing with Max’s case, some considerations that will be taken for his significant others include; The social worker will ensure that there is the promotion and protection of the spiritual and cultural identity of Max while at the same time ensuring that his connection with his family is maintained.

The social worker will also enable the family of Max, particularly his mother and stepfather to also have access to the necessary services which will ensure that Max continues to stay under their care safely. The social worker will also give the significant other of Max the opportunity to put the necessary efforts to show that they are willing to assume their custodial responsibilities of Max and ensure that he is safe when he is at home. Initial Thoughts on the Case My initial thoughts of Max’s case were just that of a typical runaway youth.

There are many such cases that I have come across as a social worker which means that it is nothing very new. However, although there are many such cases, I always feel that they cannot all be handled in the same way because of the differences in the contexts in which they take place. Following this, I am positive that Max will eventually be comfortable going back to his home because his mother has shown some interests in trying to resolve the issue and Max is considering going back home as well.

Consideration when Preparing to work In preparing to work with Max, in this case, the following are some of the considerations; I would consider the significance of Max’s family preference and integrity when it comes to avoiding removing Max from his home. The second consideration would be the safety, health, and protection of Max. I would also consider the emotional relationships and ties that exist between Max and his parents, grandmother, and maybe his sister as well. I will seek the assurance that once Max goes back home, he will still be given the guidance, treatment, and care which will help him to become an adult who is self-sufficient.

Another crucial aspect of consideration will be the wishes of Max as well as his physical and mental needs (Courtney, Terao & Bost, 2004). Theories in Understanding Max’s Situation Strength-Based Practice The theory of Strength-Based Practice in social work usually presents a particular way of perceiving the clients in a resilient and resourceful way when they are facing adversity (Hammond & Zimmerman, 2012). This means the models in this theory usually identifies and enhances the present capacities of the client to resolve the problem that they are undergoing and thereby improve their life.

This approach can then be perceived as a being a respectful means which is channeled towards empowering the vulnerable and oppressed clients which are among the primary objectives of social workers (Hammond & Zimmerman, 2012).

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