The Purpose Of The Case Study Social Work Essay

The Purpose Of The Case Study Social Work Essay The purpose of the case study is to provide the student with the opportunity to demonstrate their ability to analyse and evaluate the use of a method of social work intervention with an individual, family, or group of service users, and where appropriate, the carers. Task In consultation with the practice teacher, tutor and where applicable the on-site facilitator, the student will select a situation where substantial social work intervention will be required. The student should carry out an assessment, choose an appropriate method of intervention and analyse and evaluate the subsequent use of the chosen method. In undertaking this task students must: Provide a summarised social history of the case, highlighting significant past and present events in the service users life. Demonstrate the ability to select an appropriate method of intervention and offer supporting rationale for this choice. Provide an analysis of their assessment, reflecting on the model used the knowledge base in relation to the service users situation, relevant government and agency policy and legislation. Drawing on relevant theory, analyse and evaluate the processes and outcomes of the intervention for both the service user and for themselves as a student social worker. This must include: An account of the use of interpersonal skills and how these informed and impacted on the effectiveness of practice An examination of the influence of social work values throughout the work, including AOP Present the assignment to an acceptable standard which conforms to academic conventions regarding grammar, spelling and the Harvard system for referencing cited works. Other guidelines for the case study The word limit should be no more than 4, 000 words (+/- 10%). Students muststate the exact word count on the front cover. The hand in date for the case study is before 10am on 14th May 2009. Late submissions require a formally agreed extension. The On-Line Discussion Forum Structure Students are divided into specialist tutor groups Specialist tutor groups are made up of students who are in the same/similar programme of care Each specialist tutor group is headed by a specialist tutor Details of which group students have been assigned to can be found in Appendix One Resources It is expected that students will participate in the on-line discussion forum once weekly. Please book the on-line slot into your diary (in the same way that you would your lecture attendance or a home visit). This way you are less likely to forget! Your weekly submissions will be based around a series of practical tasks to help you link your learning both from semester one and your placement with the requirements of the case study. The programme for your weekly input can be found in Appendix Two Expectations It is expected that: Students will contribute once weekly to the on-line discussion forum There is no word limit regarding student contributions on-line but it is expected that they will be concise contributions addressing the pre-set tasks and that these should act as an aide memoir to your case study Each submission should not take longer than 15 minutes to complete Students can visit the discussion forum whenever they wish and can make more than one weekly contribution if they wish  · In order to preserve confidentiality the on-line discussions MUST avoid references to peoples names, locations, and other specific details by which an individual might be identified (e.g. chronological histories detailing specific locations and events, specific and unusual medical conditions)  · On-line discussions are monitored by the module coordinator as well as tutors. In the event that there are concerns regarding potential breaches of confidentiality you will be asked to edit your contributions accordingly On-line Tasks See Appendix Two The Recall Days 12thFebruary 2009 10am-1pm Specialist tutor groups Specialist tutors to discuss, re-cap and provide relevant references on the following: Social issues and research, policy and legislation relevant to the identified social issues Assessment frameworks and their benefits, limitations, effectiveness Methods of intervention Materials for tutors and students will be provided nearer the time. 2pm-3pm Lecture by K Winter 8th April 2009 10am-1pm Specialist tutor groups Specialist tutors to discuss, re-cap and provide relevant references on the following: Processes regarding methods of intervention referring to any relevant research, practice guidelines Outcomes relating to methods of intervention referring to any relevant research, practice Materials for tutors and students will be provided nearer the time. 2pm-4pm Lecture by K Winter Module Review The module is the subject of an annual review. The main issues arising have concerned: Structure and content of on-line discussion forum Structure and content of recall days Date for submission of the case study More teaching on group work as a method of intervention The module has been re-structured this year to address most of the above points. Reading Materials It is recommended that you purchase Wilson et al. (2008) Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice, Harlow: Pearson Longman as it offers a broad guide that will help you consider the key elements of your case study including: social issues/social histories; assessment frameworks; and methods of intervention. The book also includes up to date references to policy and research. Other more specialist references will be added to QoL. Appendix One Specialist Tutor Group Allocation Older people and physical health and disability (13students) A HARPUR NAME PLACEMENT Christine Bowden Sensory Impairment Team Newry Alana Carr Ivybrook Newry Michael Cunningham Shankill Centre, Belfast Corey Doyle Dungannon Emma Goligher Lagan Valley Hospital Fiona Kelly Sensory Impairment Bradbury Centre Emma McClure Mount Oriel Samantha McGreevy Lagan Valley Hospital Clare Murney Newry Sheena Quinn Bangor Eliza Shields Day centre Banbridge Heather Stewart Holywood Arches Centre Karen Watson Scarva St Banbridge Adults with learning disabilities (10 students) TUTOR TO BE DECIDED NAME PLACEMENT Deborah Bonner Glenwood Unit Poleglass Amanda Caldwell Struell Lodge Downpatrick Judith Cleland Adult supported living Nards James Draper Skyways Project Ormeau Road Clare Joyce Ards TRC (day centre) Hannah Laird Balloo TRC Bangor Christopher Millar Edgcombe Day Centre Shauna Murphy Supported living project Bangor Claire Murray Mountview Downpatrick Lynsey Wilson Supported living project Lisburn Family and child care (8 students) G KELLY NAME PLACEMENT Ann Boyle Shankill Centre Sarah Brown Flaxfield CH Lisburn Lois Curran Bryson House Dunmurry Simon Darby Bryson House Bedford St Nicola Doran Gateway Team Banbridge Joanne Elder Naomi Project Womens Aid Christina Graffin Carnmoney Road FCC team Catherine Hennighan Child care team Larne Family and child care (9 students) K WINTER NAME PLACEMENT Debbie Henry Antrim Family Intervention Team Lisa Kearney Womens Aid Derry Carina Ledwith Lynsey House residential unit Elaine McLaughlin Bryson House family support Bedford St Dawn McCallion Family Placement Team Ballymena Sarah Morrow Fortwilliam CH Louise Pettigrew Warren Centre Lisburn Lee Wilson Residential Unit Portrush Tim Wilson Family support project Nards Mental health (10students) G DAVIDSON NAME PLACEMENT Susan Beggs Ormeau Centre Verner St Katrina Copeland Hostel 12 Larne Amanda Ferris Extern Bryan Leonard Addiction Treatment Unit Omagh Heather Long Addiction Team Nards Gemma Mallon Ballymacross Hostel Lisburn Lucy Molloy Crisis Team Holywood Arches Judith McCloy Supported housing project Bangor Kirsty Quigg Derriaghy day centre Anna Tohill Supported living project Antrim Appendix Two On-line Discussion Forum Weekly Tasks WEEK TASK TO BE COMPLETED BY Week One (12.01.09-16.01.09) Introduce yourself Describe your placement (programme of care, where, what types of service user) What are your initial observations regarding the working environment (physical environment and formal/informal working practices)? 18.01.09 Week Two (19.01.09-23.01.09) Find out what type of assessment frameworks are used within your workplace. List and describe them 25.01.09 Week Three (26.01.09-30.01.09) Choose an assessment framework Find out about any research, policy and guidance regarding its use and describe 01.02.09 Week Four (02.02.09-06.02.09) Look again at the selected assessment framework. Answer the following: What are the benefits and limitations of the framework? What can be done to improve it? 08.02.09 Week Five 09.02.09-13.02.09) From your discussions with team members what social issues frequently emerge from peoples social histories in your particular placement (this could include poverty, abuse, substance dependency, sectarianism for example). List the social issues and identify any policies, legislation and research which inform practice in these areas. 15.02.09 N.B Thursday 12th Feb is a recall day. You will have a 3 hour tutorial (10-1pm) followed by a one hour lecture (2-3pm) Week Six (16.02.09-20.02.09) In conjunction with your tutor identify a case which you might use as your case study. Having sought the consent of the service user draw out: the main themes that emerge from their social history; the assessment framework you are using; the skills required in applying that assessment framework; the benefits and limitations encountered; the possible outcomes of that assessment process. 22.02.09 Week Seven (23.02.09-27.02.09) In light of the issues that come to your attention through the assessment answer the following: Which method of intervention might you consider? Which issue(s) are you attempting to address? Why have you chosen those issues and that method to address them? What might a successful intervention look like? (list you goals, aims) These issues should form the basis to your presentation to be delivered at the mid way tripartite 01.03.09 Week Eight (02.03.09-06.03.09) Write up your presentation for your midway tripartite based on the work you have completed for this module so far. 08.03.09 Weeks Nine and Ten (09.03.09-20.03.09) Think about the processes relating to your chosen method of intervention and answer the following: What knowledge, skills and values are you relying on? What is helping/hindering the process? What are the benefits/limitations to the method of intervention you have selected? 22.03.09 Weeks Eleven and Twelve (23.03.09-03.04.09) Begin to think about the outcomes of your method of intervention and answer the following: Is it working? Yes/No In what ways is it working/not working? Why is this so? What might be the contributory factors? What could be done differently? How do you measure success? Is there any research regarding its effectiveness? What do your colleagues think about the approach you have chosen? Do your colleagues have favoured methods? If yes/no why? 05.04.09 Week Thirteen onwards (06.04.09 onwards) Begin to write up your evidence based case study Use the on-line discussion forum to seek guidance and help in relation to aspects of the case study Aim to have it completed in first draft before end April 2009 NB 8th April is a recall day. You will have a 3 hour tutorial (10-1pm) followed by a 2 hour lecture (2-4pm)