Case study 1 Kitty (case worker)

• Kitty is a new case worker to your team.
• This is her first case management job at your agency which offers family support and early intervention services to families where children may be at risk.
• Kitty has previously worked as a pastry chef but due to a work place injury she could no longer work in this industry and she re-trained in community services.
• Kitty lives in North Sydney and travels to Bankstown for work.

Kitty is the case manager for Amy (2 years) and Jessie (22 years). This is a new referral that was received from the family play group that is run by your agency. Jessie is a single mother and lives in Bankstown. Jessie and Amy have been attending the play group for the past few months. Staff at the play group have noted that Jessie can be socially inappropriate, telling parents who she does not know very well personal details, including that she has been diagnosed with bi-polar disorder and that before she had Amy she attempted suicide. Staff believe Jessie is a client of a community mental health service but are not sure whether she takes medication. Jessie makes sure Amy is always well dressed and fed and likes to tell everyone about interesting things they have done together.

Last week one of the play group staff overhead Jessie telling another parent that she thinks Amy is very bright because everyone says she has such good manners. The staff at the play group are concerned as they have noted that Amy has delayed language development and feel she should have a hearing test and possibly a speech therapy assessment.

Jessies mother (Emma) lives in Punchbowl and she is supportive of Jessie. Sometimes Jessie leaves Amy with her mother. Emma has a lot of issues of her own. She is going through a difficult divorce and recently she experienced domestic violence. Jessies mother separated from her father when Jessie was 5 and Jessie does not have any contact with her father.

When Kitty did her first home visit with Jessie at home last week she thought that she smelt marijuana.

Today Kitty has come to you for supervision and advice about this case.

You are Kittys supervisor. Please answer the questions below: (500 - 700 Words)

1. Explain what direction, support, recommendations and advice you would give Kitty about this case?
2. What best practice principles apply in this case? Explain why
3. What steps would you put in place to monitor the progress in this case?