Social Work Practice and the Law SWK301

Assessment Task: Court Report

Weighting:40%

Due Date:16/02/2025, 11:59pm

Word Count:1000 words (+/- 10%)

Task Overview:

This assessment requires you to demonstrate your ability to prepare a comprehensive and professional court report based on a provided case scenario involving domestic violence. The report will be addressed to the Family Court and should reflect the standard of a practicing social worker.

Case Scenario (Domestic Violence):

You are a social worker employed by [Relevant Agency, e.g., Department of Child Protection, Family Support Services]. You have been working with Ms. Anna, a 35-year-old woman, and her two children, aged 8 and 5. Ms. Anna recently separated from her husband, Mr. Ben, due to a history of domestic violence, including physical, emotional, and financial abuse. Mr. Ben is seeking custody of the children, while Ms. Anna is seeking sole custody.

Ms. Anna reported that Mr. Ben has a history of controlling behavior, including isolating her from her family and friends, monitoring her phone and internet usage, and restricting her access to finances. She has reported several incidents of physical violence, resulting in injuries. Since the separation, Mr. Ben has allegedly been harassing Ms. Anna via phone calls and text messages and has shown up unannounced at her workplace.

Mr. Ben denies the allegations of abuse and claims that Ms. Anna is fabricating the stories to gain an advantage in the custody proceedings. He states he is a loving and capable father.

Your Role:You are required to prepare a court report that impartially assesses the situation, prioritizes the best interests of the children, and provides recommendations to the court regarding custody arrangements.

Report Requirements:

Your court report should include the following sections:

1. Introduction:Briefly introduce the case, including the names and ages of the individuals involved and the purpose of the report.
2. Background Information:Summarize the relevant history of the family, including the nature of the relationship between Ms. Anna and Mr. Ben, the allegations of domestic violence, and any previous interventions or services provided.
3. Assessment of Ms. Anna:

• Present a balanced and objective assessment of Ms. Anna's situation, including her strengths and challenges.
• Consider her mental and emotional well-being, parenting capacity, and ability to provide a safe and stable environment for the children.
• Evaluate the impact of the alleged domestic violence on her and the children.
  4. Assessment of Mr. Ben:
• Present a balanced and objective assessment of Mr. Ben's situation, including his strengths and challenges.
• Consider his relationship with the children, his understanding of the allegations, and his capacity to provide a safe and nurturing environment.
• Address any risk factors identified, including the potential for future violence or harm.
  5. Assessment of the Children:
• Describe the children's current situation, including their physical, emotional, and developmental needs.
• Assess the impact of the parental separation and the alleged domestic violence on their well-being.
• Consider the children's wishes and feelings, taking into account their age and maturity, if applicable and ethically obtained.
  6. Analysis and Discussion:
• Analyze the information presented in the previous sections, drawing on relevant legislation, social work theories, and ethical principles. The relevant legislation includes:Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)(ss 4AB, 60B, 60CA, 60CC, 60CG, 61DA, 65, 65DAA, 68B, Pt VII Div 12A), andCrimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW)(ss. 5, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 36, 37, 39).
• Discuss the best interests of the children as the paramount consideration.
• Evaluate the potential risks and benefits of different custody arrangements.
  7. Recommendations:
• Provide clear, specific, and evidence-based recommendations to the court regarding custody, visitation, and any necessary support services for the family.
• Justify your recommendations based on your assessment and analysis.
  8. Conclusion:
• Briefly summarize your findings and recommendations.

Language and Style:

• Objectivity and Neutrality:The report must be written in a strictly objective, neutral, and unbiased manner. Avoid using emotive language, personal opinions, or value judgments. Present all perspectives fairly, even when addressing sensitive issues like domestic violence.
• Respectful Tone:Maintain a respectful tone throughout the report when referring to all individuals involved. Avoid using labels or making generalizations.
• Professionalism:Use clear, concise, and professional language appropriate for a court document.
• Evidence-Based:Support all statements and assessments with evidence from the case scenario and relevant legislation, social work literature, and ethical guidelines.
• Confidentiality:Ensure all identifying information is handled with strict confidentiality.

Specific Instructions:

• Formatting:

• Use a clear and consistent font (e.g., Times New Roman, 12-point).
• Use double-spacing.
• Number all pages.
• Include a cover sheetpage with the assessment title, your name, student number, course name, word count, and due date.
  • Referencing:Use the APA 7th edition referencing style for all citations and the reference list.
  • Submission:Submit your report electronically via Turnitinby the due date.

Assessment Criteria:

Your report will be assessed on the following criteria:

• Accuracy and thoroughness of information presented.
• Demonstrated understanding of relevant legislation, social work theories, and ethical principles.
• Objectivity, neutrality, and impartiality in assessment and analysis.
• Clarity, coherence, and professionalism of writing.
• Appropriateness and justification of recommendations.
• Adherence to formatting and referencing guidelines.
• Compliance with word count.
• Use of relevant legislation to support statements made:Family Law Act 1975 (Cth)(ss 4AB, 60B, 60CA, 60CC, 60CG, 61DA, 65, 65DAA, 68B, Pt VII Div 12A), andCrimes (Domestic and Personal Violence) Act 2007 (NSW)(ss. 5, 11, 13, 14, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 27, 36, 37, 39).

Academic Integrity:

All work must be original and adhere to the principles of academic integrity. Plagiarism or any other form of academic misconduct will result in serious penalties.