Social Work Case management discussion

Social Work Case management discussion

Assessment two allows for you to demonstrate your knowledge of key concepts addressed within the subject, as well as your ability to apply them in practice.
You may choose to discuss the case study provided (Marion) or a de identified case study from your own practice experience.
If you choose to use an example from your own practice experience, please ensure that you are able to do so from a case management perspective, that is, within the role of a case manager with the client. If you are using your own case study, please provide a short one paragraph overview of the agency’s and person’s (client’s) situation on the cover sheet of your assessment.

Using either the Marion case study or your own (specified on cover sheet) case study, your task is to;
•Assume that you are the case manager and describe your role with the client (Marion or other).
•Discuss how you would apply the overarching and phased functions of the case management model described in this subject and in the textbook, within the organisation and community context. This includes reflective discussion on your approach to practice that focuses on decisions and reasons for practice, the effectiveness of your practice and alternative approaches, skills or techniques (to demonstrate critical thinking).
•Demonstrate a person directed case management approach to practice, with reference to the case study.
•Clearly outline and describe the communication and advocacy skills you would use.

Marion Case Study
Community Context Information: (the context and case study information is fictitious and has been developed for this assessment exercise.)
Echo Valley is a town of 15,000 population, surrounded by small mixed farming areas. Much of the local industry is related to agricultural supplies or supports and the general businesses required to support everyday living. Local businesses include; a chemist, grocery stores, medical surgery, hairdresser, clothing and shoe stores, several charity shops, church organisations, community health centre and an Indigenous Health Service. One of the local church organisations offers a food bank service for those in need, as well as a financial counselling service which is free of charge. There are Department of Human Services – Centrelink and Community Services offices in town that are operated full time. There are some private practitioners; physiotherapist, and counsellors.
The mental health services are provided by a team that is located in another town, Apollos, one hour away. There is a regular public bus service, weekly, to Apollos, leaving Echo Valley at 8 am and returning at 6 pm on a Thursday. A Community Transport service is sometimes available by appointment at a low cost to consumers. The local library has some public computer internet access available and offers skills development courses in computers and resume writing.
There are two local high schools – a public and a Catholic high school. There are also two local public schools, again, a public and Catholic school. School counsellors for the Catholic schools travel from a nearby centre. There is a school counsellor attached to the public schools but they are only available 3 days per week. The Public Schools have an Aboriginal Liaison officer and also offer parent information sessions on child development and behaviour management on a monthly basis.
Echo Valley has some seasonal work available during summer, as some of the smaller agricultural farms produce fruit and vegetables and pickers and packers are required. There is also an abattoir in town but it operates intermittently due to fluctuations in market demand. Rental properties are fairly costly at present because there is a major road reconstruction project occurring nearby. Many of the workers for this project have taken medium term leases locally as the project is expected to take 12 – 18 months to complete. There are limited Department of Housing properties available.
There are a number of informal groups in town, such as; sports clubs, ladies and craft groups, church based organisations and a Rotary Club. The local facilities include several parks, a swimming pool, public library and some good camping areas in the valley area just outside town. There is an increase in tourism often in summer as it is a pretty valley known for good bushwalking and camping opportunities and is located around 2 ½ hours drive from the city.
Much of the local population is of Anglo-Australian descent, there is a small Indigenous population in town. With the contract road work, there has been an increase in the cultural mix in the area. Several of the construction workers have relocated their young families to the area with them for the duration of the project.
Organisation Overview
You work full time as a case manager for children and families at the Echo Valley Family Centre, a non-government organisation.
The Echo Valley Family Centre is funded by a range of State government programs and auspices a range of services including; drug and alcohol, family and adult counsellors, a child and family service, and an interim service for people with disabilities. The local Alcoholics Anonymous group utilise the Family Centre building after hours. You are one of two case managers at the Echo Valley Family Centre and have good links with professionals in other organisations. Appointments with clients are ‘centre based’ for safety reasons.

Referral and Client Information
Marion has self referred as she is concerned about her son James’ behavioral outbursts – in the process of discussing this she tells you that she is also a bit worried about the cost of her drinking and would like to try to ‘cut down’ a bit.
Marion is a 33 year old sole parent of three children aged 14 (Joe), 8 (James) and 6 (Shell) years, respectively. Mick, the father of Joe, is an Aboriginal man and has been very involved in Joe’s life since Marion and the children returned to the area. Mick works FIFO (Fly In Fly Out) and regularly has Joe for contact visits. Jim, the father of the younger two children, is currently in goal for fraud and is not due to be released for another four years. Marion has ended her relationship with Jim, except for the children receiving ‘special occasion’ correspondence from him.
Marion moved back to the local area approximately 6 months ago thinking that she might get some help from Joe’s father. Marion is renting her backroom room to a married couple (Barry and Betty) who have been working on the road works. They share the family bathroom, kitchen and lounge room. There is some concern about Barry’s and Betty’s drinking problems and arguments (unconfirmed). They owe Marion three months rent.
Marion has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is on a disability pension. She is known for drinking fairly heavily on a regular basis, though this is more often at home than out, as she has concerns that “welfare” may become involved if they become aware of how much she drinks each night. Marion’s drinking has increased in the last two years, since Jim went to jail. This increase has been from three or four stubbies most nights of the week, to five or six per night during the week and about that, plus a few cans of bourbon and coke on the weekends. Marion often forgets to take her medication for schizophrenia.
Joe has recently started truanting from school and his school marks have suffered. Marion is feeling unsupported in managing Joe’s truancy, as Mick is ‘always away working’. Mick feels that his job is providing financial security for Marion and Joe, through the child support that he pays.
James has a mild learning disability and receives some support at school through a teacher’s aide. His behaviour is difficult as he lashes out when he becomes frustrated by not being able to do homework or not understanding something easily.
Shell is withdrawn and spends a lot of her time playing in her room. She worries a lot about Marion and is often asking Marion if she can make 2 minute noodles or toast for dinner. When Joe is at home, he sometimes helps with getting meals organized but more often lately he is off with friends wandering around town when he is not spending time with Mick.
Marion has a few good supports in town. One of Marion’s friend’s lives nearby. Marion has started attending a free computer course at the library.
Marion would like to find some sort of work, part time. She used to work in an administrative job before she met Jim.

Rationale
This assessment task will assess the following learning outcome/s:
• be able to define case management.
• be able to develop an understanding of the main models of case management with a specific focus on a generic model.
• be able to apply the generic model of case management to a simulated situation via a case study.
• be able to articulate the theoretical underpinnings of the functions of the case management model.
• be able to identify the main skills and tensions in case management practice.
• be able to develop critical thinking and theory to practice application skills.
• be able to apply appropriate academic writing, referencing and presentation skills.

This assessment item allows you to apply case management principles, theory and functions to practice. You need to put yourself in the role of a case manager in a human service agency.
It is important that the marker is able to identify your understanding and application of person directed practice principles and the functions of the generic case management model, as described within this subject.

You will find completing at a minimum the following topics helpful before you commence assessment task
The topics are located on interact.
• Topic 5: Overarching Functions;
• Topic 6: Integrating community and informal supports;
• Topic 7: Phased functions;
• Topic 8: Organisational dimensions – intra and inter agency;
• Topic 9: Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities; and
• Topic 10: Diverse Contexts and client groups.

Presentation
Please submit as a WORD document and not as a PDF. It is difficult for the markers to add useful comments to a .pdf file.
Markers will be looking for your ability to sufficiently, accurately and effectively support your work. They want to see genuinely informed discussion and analytical writing that leads to coherent and critical academic arguments.
Your paper must include a clear introduction, body and conclusion. This may involve the use of headings to signpost your work.
APA6 in-text referencing must be observed (Please see ‘Referencing’ section for further information).
There can be a range of guidelines on how many references should be used for particular word limits. A minimum expectation is that you refer to relevant prescribed readings for your assessment work and engage with wider material from reliable academic sources. The key is to be accurate and sufficient in order to inform and support your work effectively. Within each assessment task for WEL418 we expect you to reference a minimum of 10-12 sources.
Please note: Markers will be looking for your ability to sufficiently, accurately and effectively support your work. They want to see genuinely informed discussion and analytical writing that leads to coherent and critical academic arguments.

Requirements
In the role of Case Manager students will use the case study provided to discuss (describe and interpret) the way they would conduct case management practice. They will demonstrate the communication and advocacy skills they bring to the role, discuss the application of case management processes and functions with a client centred focus to the client case study within the organisational context identified. This includes discussion of potential tensions; strengths/limits to approaches.
Unlike usual practice reports, this case study paper will demonstrate how students have applied the concepts and functions of this subject to their practice. This will be evidenced through the content and critical reading/research in particular.

Marking criteria and standards (Pass)
• The Case management role is succinctly and comprehensively described and critically applied to the case study, organisation and community context.
• Comprehensively structured critical discussion on the application of the overarching and phased functions of the case management model.
• Thoughtfully structured discussion which applies a person-centred case management approach to the case study in a detailed, convincing, succinct and outstanding way.
• Communication and advocacy skills are clearly identified and continuously referred to throughout the paper. There is a superior reflection about how they are applied.
• Contains an outstanding and comprehensive reference list that is related to the argument.
• The argument is extensively and comprehensively informed by literature

• No spelling or grammar mistakes or typos.

• It strictly abides with the APA referencing style