Chapter 1 - Case Study

Case Study

This activity involves reflecting on an individual patient or client 'case' in order to solve a problem and improve practice. Think about what you can learn from this case? How might this affect your professional practice in the future based on what you have learned?

Carolyn and Heather, although from different geographical locations, have similar backgrounds. Both were raised in poverty and were exposed to abuse and alcoholism in their families. They and their families received constant visits from child and family services workers, police, and representatives of other regulatory agencies. They were victims of harsh and discriminatorytreatment at theirrespective schools.Both also workedhard,struggled to get an education, received a few breaks, and eventually graduated from social work programs.Here thesimilarities end. Heatherwould bend over backward for the service users with whom she worked, especially if they came from conditions of poverty. She had tremendous empathy for them and a keen understanding of their situations. Carolyn, on the other hand, became one of the most punitive and moralistic social workers in the agency, especially toward those who were poor. She also treated the clerical staff and others in subservient positions in the agency in an overbearing and heavy-handed manner.

Source: Mullaly, B. (2010). Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege (2 ed.). Don Mills: Oxford University Press, p. 58.

Case Study 1.1

HomeworkUnanswered

What would explain the difference in approach used by Heather and Carolyn?