Case Scenario
1. Mr Bernard Weber is a 78-year-old widowed man originally from Serbia. He came to Australia in the 1950s to work on the Snowy Mountain Scheme in Jindabyne, NSW. He has two daughters, many friends (most of whom also immigrated from Serbia) and he speaks English fluently with a heavy accent. Mr Weber lives alone in a 3-bedroom house he built himself 60 years ago. He gardens and cooks basic meals but does minimal household chores (e.g. the dishes are often in the sink and the floors and bathrooms are uncleaned). His daughters help him with the household chores when he allows them.
Mr Weber was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease after his daughters noticed a significant decline in his short-term memory. He often ‘forgets’ that his wife passed away a few years ago, and he often cannot keep up with conversations or follow what’s on television. He does, however, remember to pay the monthly utility bills and he often talks about going to “work” (he was a carpenter). Mr Weber was recently hospitalised after a fall. He did not sustain any fractures. He said he tripped when getting out of bed in the middle of the night. He was successfully treated for his wounds, but his daughters expressed concern about him returning home alone without supports.
Mr Weber was adamant he did not want any personal care services to enter his home. He feels he can manage alone. His daughters’ preference is for him to go into a nursing home. Mr Weber was discharged home with personal care services. He declined their entry to the home and got quite upset saying “I said I can look after myself! There is nothing wrong with me. I am strong and healthy!”
A week later, Mr Weber had another fall at home and was readmitted to hospital. This time he sustained a fracture to his dominant arm. His daughters say that this is evidence he cannot cope alone. Mr Weber, again, wants to return home. The doctors have declared him medically fit and he is therefore ready for discharge. You know that means he cannot stay in hospital because they need the bed for someone else.
2. Ashur is a 16-year-old Assyrian refugee who arrived in Australia with his mother 5 years ago from Turkey. Ashur and his mother are members of a minority Catholic group who experienced oppression in Iraq. They sought refuge in Turkey 8 years ago from where they were able to gain asylum in Australia. Ashur does not have any other family in Australia, but since arriving he has developed some friends through the local soccer club.
For the past 6 months Ashur has been experiencing difficulty concentrating in class. His teachers have noticed that he has become quite isolated, not interacting easily with his peers. Ashur is quite musically talented and his piano teacher has also expressed concern that he is no longer as committed to his piano practice as he used to be.
Today the school counsellor (Tim) has been informed by Ashur’s English teacher (Mrs Mills) that Ashur has been seen hanging around a group of older men before and after School. Mrs Mills has heard from other teachers that these men are rumoured to be part of a local group engaged in low level crime in the neighbourhood .
3. You are a student social worker at the School and Tim has asked you to make contact with Ashur. You have sent a note to Ashur requesting that he come and see you today during lunch.
You are a student on placement in a mainstream high school in the city. Your supervisor Rob is the school counsellor. Sarah, a student at the school, is 14 years of age and has Down Syndrome. She lives with her father Tom and younger brother Will (aged 8). Sarah’s mother died when she was eight years of age. Sarah has attended the high school since she was 11 and has achieved very well in her studies with the help of Sue, a committed and skilled teaching assistant.
Over the last year, Sarah’s progress with her studies has slowed down significantly and Sue has reported that she has trouble concentrating on her work and often becomes angry and tearful in class. Last week, Tom contacted the school head teacher and reported that Sarah told him that one of the pupils at the school recently took a photograph of Sarah using their mobile phone and posted it on Facebook (social media) with some disrespectful comments. Tom also said that Sarah has been isolating herself in her room at home for the past few months and has ceased attending her weekly social activities at the local Church.
4. You are a social work student on placement in a residential setting, ‘Albert House’, a facility for younger men and women (18-30) dealing with substance misuse issues. Your supervisor is Olivia. One of the services offered to residents is the opportunity to participate in group sessions which aim to encourage sharing and peer support amongst group members. Staff members facilitate the groups and also offer individual counselling for residents.
Emma is a 23-year-old woman who has been resident at Albert House for seven weeks. She is dealing with a long history of alcohol addiction. Emma has two young children Jaydon (5) and Amy (4) who are currently in the care of their father James to whom Emma is married. Their relationship has been deeply troubled by Emma’s alcohol issues however James is strongly supportive of, and committed to, Emma.
Earlier in your working day Emma participated in a women’s only group held at Albert House. Olivia facilitated the group with your support. In the context of the group Emma disclosed a past history of child sexual abuse by her father and paternal uncle from the age of 6 until she was 10. After this time her mother separated from her father and no further sexual abuse occurred. Emma shared that she has never told James about this experience. Emma received strong support in the group from the other female members, two of whom had experienced sexual abuse themselves as children.
5. You are a social worker employed by a domestic and family violence support service. You are working with a group of women between the ages of 20-45 years who have experienced domestic violence. This group has been established as a weekly place where women can come and learn about domestic violence and also receive support. Some women in the group have left their violent partners, while others remain in relationships and/or living with partners who use violence. The women come from a range of cultural backgrounds.