Read the case study below and answer the following question.

If you were the social worker in this case, what would you consider to be the main practice issues raised? With reference to these issues, outline and explain the importance of the relevant provisions of the legislation.

 Case study

 Gus (Father) - 50 years old

Kim (Son) - 25 years old

Gus lives with his son, Kim, in a one-bedroom flat in the center of a large city. Gus has worked on building sites for the past 35 years in or around the city, and he has a number of friends that he goes to the pub with after work. His wife left him and his son when Kim was five years old, unexpectedly moving back to China where she was originally from, and cutting off all contact.

Kim has a diagnosis of Down Syndrome. He receives support from the local authority whereby someone picks him up twice a week to take him to football practice, but other than this he lives independently. Gus does the weekly shopping, much of the housework and takes Kim to appointments when needed as well. During the last visit by a social worker to Gus and Kim, the social worker recorded that Gus and Kim had 'very clearly a very strong bond and relationship, and a good balance in their lives'.

Gus was involved in a bad accident on a building site recently, causing him significant pain in his shoulder and preventing him from working for the past two months. He is in discussions with his workplace about compensation, but it has been a slow process.

When picking up Kim for football last week, his support worker noted that he didn't have his usual packed lunch with him, and his clothes were dirty. When asked about this, Kim said that there was no food in the house, and he was wearing the same clothes he always did. During the trip to football, Kim also tells his support worker that Gus has rarely been home recently, and when he does come home he is angry and shouts at him. During football Kim is visibly lightheaded running around and faints after only five minutes. When he wakes and is given some food, he says it is the first time he has had anything to eat in three days.

As a result of this experience, the support worker asks Kim if it is ok to contact the social work team on his behalf, and Kim says that would be fine.

Answer rating: 100% (QA)

Main Practice Issues Neglect and Abuse The main practice issue here is neglect and potential abuse Kims physical appearance lack of proper clothing and malnutrition indicate neglect Additionally Kims ... View the full answer