Social Work - Therapeutic Approaches and Role of Caseworkers - Case Study Example

Running Head: WELL228 WELL228 Name Course Lecturer Date Question 1 Family structure This type of family may be considered to be a broken nuclear family. The parents have been separated for four years and this has resulted to the separation of the children too. Kelly lives with three children while Michael lives with the oldest son. Family diversity There is evident of family diversity since the family set up in the presented case varies from a traditional set up (Van Eeden-Moorefield & Demo, 2007). The fact that the parents have been separated from each other and their children reveal that there is family diversity. Human Rights issues There is evident of human rights issues in the presented case. Firstly, Kelly isolation has made it impossible for Aimee to access regular services that may help her to live a normal life despite her disability. Secondly, it is obvious that the older children, Tom and Milly do not get the required attention from the mother as expected as such they lack the appropriate child support. In addition, they are subjected to extra burden of taking care of Aimee, lacking time to enjoy extracurricular activities. Basically, the human right issues are more related to the children as they are not experiencing a normal upbringing. Furthermore, the fact that the father does not bother with the rest of the children depict negligence. Poverty The family is indeed living in poverty; the government grants Kelly a carer pension, she is unable to provide appropriate medical care for Aimee, and lacks safety seat for Aimee therefore, unable to access community activities. In addition, the children are said to add small schools. As a result of poverty, the children have adapted some emotional and psychological problems, therefore making it hard for them to interact with other people. Kelly has started to develop arthritis as a result of the family burden she is carrying. Question 2 Therapeutic interventions The family in the presented case is in dire need of therapeutic interventions. Aimee, for instance requires intensive early interventions in order to stimulate her development. This includes assist her in developing communication methods, and other basic tactile skills. She may get assistance from various institutes (Appendix1). Strategic family therapy is also significance in the presented case. As such, there is a need to design intervention that will effectively address the interaction between Kelly, Tom, Milly and Toby. In addition to this, the practitioner embarks on assessment of recursive progression of behavior that is associated with various problems that are observed in this family. The strategic family therapy reveals that behavioral and emotional problems are closely linked with recurrent sequences of the interactions in the family. The repetitive and predictable cycles of aversive interaction among the children and parents are the contributing factors to the current antisocial behavior experienced by some family members especially the children. For instance, the separation of the parents may have resulted to the current problem that Toby is undergoing. It is indeed a serious case given the fact that his teachers are concerned how he will manage once he finishes school. Therapeutic approaches and human rights Therapeutic approaches will indeed limit constrains of human rights that are seen in the case presented. This is attributed to the fact that therapeutic interventions will reduce the occurrence of unethical issues that are seen to be affecting the children in this family (Prilleleltensky, 2004). Appropriate therapeutic interventions that will be undertaken to assist Aimee; will reduce the burden that has been placed on her siblings. In addition, it will assist Kelly to have more time of the other siblings and improve her health conditions. Basically, as a result of these interventions, the children will experience rights to parental care, access to basic amenities and basic needs, and time to interact with other children and enjoy extracurricular activities. In addition, Aimee will access basic treatment allowing her to enjoy right to access medical treatment. In addition, the latter will assist the family members to enjoy right of association and participation of various communities’ activities given that Aimee will have received appropriate management and facilities that will make it easier for the family to take part in the activities. Essentially, the interventions will fix the observed problems in the family and remove the prejudice that women are the only people expected to take care of children with disability. Question 3 Social interventions Socially, it is expected that the well being of any child is highly considered. The Australian government upholds that there is a need to emphasize on early prevention and intervention measures in relation to social issues (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 2009). One of way of carrying out social interventions in the presented case is by improving the family income. Despite the fact that the government is assisting the family financially, it is not enough to take care of important needs. Employment is a major social intervention that will indeed ensure that the parents are able to get money to help the family meet the basic needs. Furthermore, early childhood parenting should be availed to Kelly given that she is taking care of Aimee and other siblings. This will allow her to have the knowledge of taking care of them. Employment is a major social intervention that will indeed ensure that the parents are able to get money to help the family meet the basic needs. Basically, the above social interventions will ensure that the children are able to meet their basic needs and healthy social development which is their right. In addition, Aimee will be able to have right to appropriate social and health management (Service appendix 2). Role of Caseworkers in the presented case It is important for the caseworker to note that children are not alike; therefore, there is a need to carry out his or her programs in accordance to the emotional and social needs of every child in the family. In order to meet the fulfill human rights requirement in the presented case, the caseworkers should carry out an assessment with all the family members. As such, she should visit the family in order to observe the family settings and be able to set boundaries. Under this, the case worker should monitor the safety of every child including Aimee, given that the children are prioritized in such cases. It is also important that the caseworker reports that the ongoing services needed by the family to the child welfare agencies and other relevant social organizations. The parents are then held accountable for the children well being. After monitoring the family settings and children well being, in this case for instance, the caseworker is expected to develop permanency options for the children. In addition she should make sure that the parents get the required services that will assist in meeting the needs of the children. Question 4 Disclosure and emotional content Indeed, there is a need for emotional content or disclosure in the presented case. This is attributed to the fact there are various hardships that the family is undergoing and it is affecting the wellbeing of the children. Most specifically, given the fact that the family is poor and therefore, it is unable to provide the required assistance to the child with multiple disabilities. Of important to note is the fact that Michael left Kelly with three children, one with disability creating an impression that women are expected to take care of such children. Disclosing such information creates a platform that allows caseworkers to work towards meeting the required legislations that support children and assess parent capability to support the children. Important elements of working One of the important elements in working towards a positive result with the family is the need of counseling of children and parents with siblings that are disabled. This is important given that the children need to adjust to the deficiency in family structure and parenting behavior. Indeed, counseling towards stigmatization should also been considered given that the children in this family are unable to access social activities affecting a healthy social development. Question 5 Issues with grandparents From the case presented, Kelly and children are close to their paternal grandparents. In addition, Kelly receives practical and emotional support from them. This is true given that Kelly states that the grandparents supported her before moving to the regional centre. Given that Kelly is having a hard time in taking care of the three siblings and that the parents provided support before her moving, it is important for the her and the children to have a regular interaction with the grandparents (Services appendix 3). A caseworker may lay various strategies that may support and include the grandparents in the running of the family. These include; assist the grandparents in understanding the children given the fact that the children are undergoing emotional strains as a result of the parents’ separation, poverty and negligence. As such, the caseworker should help the grandparents in cultivating support and comfort. Another strategy includes assisting them in focusing on creating an environment that is stable for both Kelly and the children. Under this, they should create a routine that will improve the interaction between them and children; encourage their input in raising the children both practically and emotionally, and offer attention and time. Question 6 Strategies to identify and meet the needs of Milly and Tom It is obvious that the two children are going through hardships and therefore, there is a need to assess the family needs and strengths in order to the meet the needs of these children. Indeed, the assessment will assist and empower the family to strengthen its capacity to meet the primarily needs of the children. In identifying the needs of Milly and Tom, the following strategies will be included; assessment of the family perception of problems and needs, strength and risk related to the family and children, family needs and support scale. In relation to this, child centered strategies are significant in meeting the needs of the children. These strategies are appropriate given that the children are already experiencing negligence and they need appropriate services so as to ensure that their safety. In addition, these strategies will offer the children with the necessary support and skills to overcome the hardship successfully. These strategies include mentoring, mental and behavioral health treatment and pediatric care. In addition to the children centered strategies, parent centered strategies may also play a major role in meeting the needs of these children. These strategies ensure that the parents are able to meet the needs of the family members and themselves. In so doing there are in a position to assist the children in meeting their needs. These strategies focus on the underlying and enduring protective features, risks in order to optimize a matching intervention. These strategies include treatment programs that will address problems including domestic violence, poverty and depression. The above strategies are also accompanied by family centered strategies that will ensure that parenting skills will be improved and loss recovered o as to provide the basic requirements to the children (Services appendix 4). Question 7 Family issues Given that Aimee has multiple disabilities; her transition to school will be a huge burden to the family. Given that the family is unable to provide the basic needs that she needs to cope with her situation at home, it somehow obvious that the family may strain to provide the needed facilities to cope with the transition. Apart from financial constrains, the transition will affect Kelly emotional given the fact that she has never been separated from Aimee (services appendix 5). Social Issues A child’s playing ability may be affected by combination of disabilities. As a result the social life is affected. In the case of Aimee, her social life and interaction with other children may be a challenge given that she has not been able to walk, communicate and toilet properly. Still, the fact that she has been able to interact with other children may affect her relation with them. This is attributed to the fact that other children may be unable to interact with her in school. Furthermore, it will be hard for her to relate to other people including the teacher given that her life has evolved around her mother and two siblings. Role of Caseworker The caseworker plays an important role in ensuring that Aimee has a good transition to school. The caseworker through Children Welfare Agency may help Kelly to take Aimee to schools that have the need facilities to make her life in school comfortable. In addition, the caseworker, may offer counseling to Kelly in order to ensure that the transition does not end up being emotional for the family. To help Aimee fit in the society, the caseworker should ensure that there is an adult (trained to handle children with disability) around to facilitate her interaction with other children. In addition, the environment at school should provide a friendly atmosphere for Aimee. Question 8 Family Issues Given that the father has been close to the son, it may be hard for him to let go due to his situation. In addition, the father may not be comfortable with transition as he may be worried of whether Toby will be able to perform his tasks without a familiar face around. As such, it creates anxiety and insecurity. Social issues Individuals with autism have social impairments that often lead to difficulty in comprehending what is taking place around them and inability to predict what is likely to occur. Similarly, Toby is likely to be affected by the aforementioned issues given that he is used to a particular routine and he is self conscious. In addition, he may not be able to relate well with new people as people may likely to condemn him for his odd behavior. Individual issues Toby may experience failure in his work situation. As such, it leads to low self esteem and lack of confident. It may also result to mental health difficulties, depression and high anxiety. Toby is also vulnerable to bully and abuse due to his lack of social deficit (Jones, 2008). Role of caseworker The caseworker has a role to play in ensuring that Toby has a positive transition from school to workplace. One way of assisting the family is by ensuring that the family members assist Toby in adapting the new settings; this is may be through sticking to a particular schedule and avoiding the interruptions (this may be hard in the workplace but may be maintained at home. Furthermore, the caseworker may advise Toby to join autism support groups in order to learn from other people (Appendix 6). Question 9 Alternative approaches It is reported that Indigenous people in Australia do experience disproportionate levels of social, employment and educational advantage disadvantages. In addition, they experience poorer health compared to other Australians. As such, it may require addition or different approaches in managing the presented case. In most cases, indigenous people live as a community and therefore, the issues experienced may be handled from a community approach. The caseworker may work along with community workers in supporting the family in raising the children appropriately especially those with disability. In addition, community based rehabilitation may facilities some needed services by Aimee. In addition, the casework may involve government institutions in assisting the parents in accessing institutions with good facilities that may assist Aimee in having local services and support. In relation to this, it is important that the family obtain counseling therapies given that the children are prone to discrimination due to the poverty and disability state. Medical attention should be prioritized given the fact that young children in such communities die frequently compared to other Australians. This also include psychological attention as most young people are prone to stress and distress due to the hardship they face as they are growing (Aird, 2001) (Services appendix 7). References Aird, R. (2001).The education and care of children with severe, profound and multiple learning difficulties. London: David Fulto Jones, M (2008). Disability and the labour market; a review of the empirical evidence. Journal of Economc Studies, 35 (5), 65-80 Mackelprang, R & Salsgiver, R (2009). Disability; a diversity model approach in human service practice. Chicago: Lyceum Prilleleltensky, O (2004). Motherhood and disability: children and choices. New York: Palgrave Macmillan Van Eeden-Moorefield, B., & Demo, D.H. (2007). Family diversity. In  G. Ritzer (Ed.), Blackwell encyclopedia of sociology. Blackwell Publishing. Blackwell Reference Online. APPENDICES Appendix 1 (question 2) Therapeutic interventions Appendix 2 (question 3) Social Intervention information: Mt Hope Family Center Appendix 3 (Question 5) Appendix 4 (question 6) Appendix 5 (question 7) Appendix 6(question 8) ASPCET Australia Contact 1800 ASPECT 1800 277 328 ISADD-Victoria Appendix 7 (question 9) Read More

The repetitive and predictable cycles of aversive interaction among the children and parents are the contributing factors to the current antisocial behavior experienced by some family members especially the children. For instance, the separation of the parents may have resulted to the current problem that Toby is undergoing. It is indeed a serious case given the fact that his teachers are concerned how he will manage once he finishes school. Therapeutic approaches and human rights Therapeutic approaches will indeed limit constrains of human rights that are seen in the case presented.

This is attributed to the fact that therapeutic interventions will reduce the occurrence of unethical issues that are seen to be affecting the children in this family (Prilleleltensky, 2004). Appropriate therapeutic interventions that will be undertaken to assist Aimee; will reduce the burden that has been placed on her siblings. In addition, it will assist Kelly to have more time of the other siblings and improve her health conditions. Basically, as a result of these interventions, the children will experience rights to parental care, access to basic amenities and basic needs, and time to interact with other children and enjoy extracurricular activities.

In addition, Aimee will access basic treatment allowing her to enjoy right to access medical treatment. In addition, the latter will assist the family members to enjoy right of association and participation of various communities’ activities given that Aimee will have received appropriate management and facilities that will make it easier for the family to take part in the activities. Essentially, the interventions will fix the observed problems in the family and remove the prejudice that women are the only people expected to take care of children with disability.

Question 3 Social interventions Socially, it is expected that the well being of any child is highly considered. The Australian government upholds that there is a need to emphasize on early prevention and intervention measures in relation to social issues (Mackelprang & Salsgiver, 2009). One of way of carrying out social interventions in the presented case is by improving the family income. Despite the fact that the government is assisting the family financially, it is not enough to take care of important needs.

Employment is a major social intervention that will indeed ensure that the parents are able to get money to help the family meet the basic needs. Furthermore, early childhood parenting should be availed to Kelly given that she is taking care of Aimee and other siblings. This will allow her to have the knowledge of taking care of them. Employment is a major social intervention that will indeed ensure that the parents are able to get money to help the family meet the basic needs. Basically, the above social interventions will ensure that the children are able to meet their basic needs and healthy social development which is their right.

In addition, Aimee will be able to have right to appropriate social and health management (Service appendix 2). Role of Caseworkers in the presented case It is important for the caseworker to note that children are not alike; therefore, there is a need to carry out his or her programs in accordance to the emotional and social needs of every child in the family. In order to meet the fulfill human rights requirement in the presented case, the caseworkers should carry out an assessment with all the family members.

As such, she should visit the family in order to observe the family settings and be able to set boundaries. Under this, the case worker should monitor the safety of every child including Aimee, given that the children are prioritized in such cases. It is also important that the caseworker reports that the ongoing services needed by the family to the child welfare agencies and other relevant social organizations. The parents are then held accountable for the children well being. After monitoring the family settings and children well being, in this case for instance, the caseworker is expected to develop permanency options for the children.

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