HSSW 304/504 Assignment 2 Case Study

HSSW 304/504 Assignment 2 Case Study

Carlie (6 y/o) and Samuel (3 y/o) live in Katalla, a regional town in NSW, with their parents Jayne (30y/0) and Dave (34 y/o). Recently, the Department of Communities and Justice received reports that could indicate both children are experiencing neglect. Carlies school has reported that she has been not been attending school and, on the few occasions she has attended over the last six months, she has been wearing soiled clothing and does not have any lunch with her. Concerns have also been reported from a care worker who helps out with caring for Samuel, who was born with spina bifida: that he has missed several appointments with his paediatrician and that he appears to be losing weight.

Imagine you are a caseworker employed by the DCJ to investigate these concerns. Before you begin it is important to remember that child neglect does not occur in isolation and in order to consider how to ensure the safety and wellbeing of Carlie and Samuel, you need to learn more about the family context and consider the circumstances that have led to this situation.

Family and Culture

Jayne and Dave met in Katalla about 10 years ago just after Dave moved there from North Queensland to take on a job as a maintenance person at the local power station. They now own their home, although are still paying off a hefty mortgage. Dave is a member of the local SES and also plays in the local rugby team on Sundays. Jayne is focused on being a home maker and, until recently, has thoroughly enjoyed being a Mum and looking after Dave.

Dave was born and grew up in Far North Queensland, but his family is originally from the Pacific island of Tonga. Along with many Tongans, his mother and father immigrated to Australia in the 1980s to escape the increasing poverty in Nukualofa owing to globalisation. In Tongan culture, family ties are extremely important, not just in relation to immediate family, but extended family also. Also, it is predominantly a matriarchal society where women have a higher standing than men.

Dave is the eldest of five siblings and when he finished school, he completed an apprenticeship as a mechanic. When he got the job in the Katallla power plant, his parents, recently retired, moved with him and, owing to cheaper house prices in Katalla, were able to purchase a house not far from Dave. Then, a year later, his younger brother moved to Katalla and then his sister and family followed a few years after that. Dave sees his parents and siblings (and their children) often as they live nearby. This means Carlie and Samuel are close to their cousins and extended family generally.

Jayne was born and grew up in Katalla. She is a third generation Australian, with Polish and Anglo/Celtic heritage on her fathers side and Celtic heritage on her mothers side. From the age of about six, she and her sibling, Mary, grew up in foster care because their mother and stepfather were not able care for their children owing to substance abuse. Her mother told her that her father left when she was about 1 y/o but never explained why. She doesnt remember him and doesnt want contact with him. Jayne loved her mother. Following removal, the statutory child protection case workers organised for her to have contact with her mother and through this, she was able to maintain a relationship with her, which continues to this day. Jayne feels ambivalent about her experience in OOHC. On the one hand, she is pleased to have met her foster mother, Kerry, who made her feel very loved when she needed it the most. On the other hand, she remembers experiencing her first foster care home when she and Mary were first removed. She missed her Mum very much and had always wondered what she had done wrong for this to have occurred. The first foster carers she and Mary were placed with seemed distant and as if they didnt care. The house was on a farm about 10 kms of Katalla and, if she or Mary got into trouble, they would get sent to their room for hours and hours, which seemed so cold and dark and lovely. Mary is 3 years younger and so Jayne always felt that she had to look after her. She and Mary stayed at this home for about 2 years and then went to live with Kerry and Ken who were very kind and loving and they also lived in town. Jayne lived with Kerry until was about 20 years old and moved out to live with Dave about 10 years ago. Now that she has her own children, Jayne is adamant that she will care for them and love them and never, never allow them to go through anything like what she went through.

When she was 10 years old, Jayne was diagnosed with a mild learning disability owing to being dyslexic. This diagnosis came about because she was behind at school and could not join the usual classroom activities. The diagnosis came as a shock, but at the same time, it assisted her and her foster parents to understand why she struggled so much at school. It didnt really matter to her because she didnt like study anyway and all she wanted to do was meet a partner and have a family.

Samuel was diagnosed with spina bifida when he was about 6 months old. Having a child with a disability is challenging for any parent, owing to the loss involved and the need for increased care. But Jane adjusted to the diagnosis by reasoning that Samuel is her child and that her role is to love and care for him regardless of his diagnosis.

Changes in Katalla and Financial Circumstances

About a year ago, the Power Plant in Katalla closed down and would not be re-opening, owing to the phasing out of power produced by fossil fuel. This came as a blow to Dave because, not only had he enjoyed his work, he was proud of what he did. Dave is feeling like he has failed Jayne and the children. Dave is looking for work, but there is nothing locally in his line of work. He will have to move elsewhere, but doesnt want to leave Jayne and the kids alone on their own.

To cope with the stress, Dave has started drinking and smoking cannabis in order to drown out the with the feeling of failure.

Jayne doesnt really know how to process this situation. Having Dave at home all day has been challenging because he keeps telling her how to do things and doesnt seem to trust in her abilities any more. Dave also seems really distant from her and she cant seem to reach him. In addition, her stepmother, Kerry, died six months ago and her sibling, Mary, moved away to live in the UK with her partner. This news has been devastating and Jayne is feeling very much alone in the world.

Dave and Jayne are also struggling financially. They are behind on their mortgage payments, they have outstanding electricity bills and their car is not registered. This is problematic because they rely on the car to get into town, take Carlie to school and do the shopping, or attend appointments. Under such financial stress, Carlie is not able to attend her weekly dance and swimming lessons. In addition to this Samuel has missed several appointments with a paediatrician, who was assessing Samuels developmental progress owing to concerns raised with the family by the local Child and Family Health Nurse.

Jayne and Dave are struggling and this appears to be impacting the children. Neighbours had made reports to the Department of Family and Community Services about the safety and wellbeing of the two children: one report said that the children had been left unsupervised in the home, another said that arguing could be heard coming from the house and that this was a regular occurrence. Another report was received from the Child and Family Health Nurse who had reported concerns about Samuels health in general: that he appeared to be losing weight and that he had missed several important appointments with the paediatrician at the Childrens Hospital.

Please note, the above scenario is fictional. It is acknowledged that statutory departments have specific procedures staff must follow in order to conduct risk assessments and decision making. However, the focus of Tasks Two and Three for this assignment is to consider your own positioning as a child protection worker as well as considering ethical decision making.

For HSSW 304 this assignment is related to Learning Outcomes:

demonstrate a foundational knowledge of the legal and psychosocial issues involved in social work practice with children and young people;

utilise a practical knowledge of law relevant to social work practice in child protection and juvenile justice;

critically analyse policy issues raised by child protection and juvenile justice law;

synthesise advanced skills in research, comprehension, reasoning and writing required for ethical social work practice in juvenile justice and child protection; and

demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the complex ethical issues involved with working with vulnerable families and their children, including gaps in service provision; working with multiple stakeholders and agencies.

Criteria 85+ %

High Distinction

75 - 84%

Distinction

65 -74%

Credit

Pass

50 - 64%

Fail

0 50%

Understanding of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016).

(30%) Excellent knowledge of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016) is demonstrated.

Ethical review outlines appropriate sources.

Two appropriate options are chosen for Step 3. Very good knowledge of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016) is demonstrated.

Ethical review outlines appropriate sources.

Two appropriate options are chosen for Step 3.

Sound knowledge of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016) is demonstrated.

Ethical review outlines appropriate sources.

Two appropriate options are chosen for Step 3.

Basic knowledge of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016) is demonstrated.

Ethical review outlines some appropriate sources.

Two appropriate options are chosen for Step 3. Insufficient knowledge of Steps 1, 2 & 3 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016) is demonstrated.

Ethical review does not outlines appropriate sources.

Options are poorly covered for Step 3.

Step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al., 2016). (30%) Excellent understanding of step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al. 2016) is demonstrated.

Includes an in-depth critical analysis of the outcome of each options chosen in task 1. Very good understanding of step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al. 2016) is demonstrated.

Includes an in-depth critical analysis of the outcome of each options chosen in task 1. Sound understanding of step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al. 2016) is demonstrated.

Includes a critical analysis of the outcome of each options chosen in task 1. Some understanding of step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al. 2016) is demonstrated.

Includes some in-depth critical analysis of the outcome of each options chosen in task 1. Little or no understanding of step 4 of the DECIDE model (Lonne et al. 2016) is demonstrated.

Little or no critical analysis of the outcome of each options chosen in task 1 is included.

Issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Islander children and families in the child protection context. (30%) Excellent understanding of the issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families in the child protection context is demonstrated. Very good understanding of the issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families in the child protection context is demonstrated.

Sound understanding of the issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families in the child protection context is demonstrated.

. Basic understanding of the issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families in the child protection context is demonstrated.

Little or no understanding of the issues relating to Aboriginal and Torres Strait islander children and families in the child protection context is demonstrated.

Quality of the written work

(5%) Excellent written expression that is succinct and clear.

Very good written expression that is succinct and clear.

Sound written expression that is succinct and clear.

Basic written expression that is mostly clear.

Poor written expression that is incoherent.

Research and Referencing (5%) Excellent use of research and other sources to support assertions made using APA7 correctly.

Very good use of research and other sources to support assertions made using APA7 correctly.

Sound use of research and other sources to support assertions made using APA7 correctly.

Basic use of research and other sources to support assertions made using APA7 correctly most of the time.

Little or no use of research and other sources to support assertions made.

Incorrect use of APA7.Marks Out of 30