Mike and Mo Case Scenario: Statutory Powers, Potential Causes of Attacks, and Social Worker Professional Capabilities

This paper examines the potential reasons for the assault of Mike and Mo and the continued threats and hostility in their neighbourhood. It also discusses statutory powers and legislation that protect every individual within the borders. The paper takes the perspective of how a social worker may help in managing the situation and different social worker professional capabilities in solving the case.

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MIKE AND MO CASE SCENARIO
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Introduction
It is the right of every citizen to be protected by the rule of law in the country. Violence
against an individual is not justified regardless of the basis of the assault. It is very unfortunate
for Mike and Mo to be subjected to threats and assaults as they can be considered as vulnerable
individuals in the society. There exist statutory powers, policies, and legislation that protect
every individual within the borders. This legislation is not to be applied discriminately but rather
uniformly to all citizens. These policies and legislation are discussed in this paper in reference to
Mike and Mo’s situation.
This paper examines the potential reasons for the assault of Mike and Mo and the
continued threats and hostility in their neighbourhood. This paper examines the situation by
looking at the issues that may have caused the assault and misunderstanding between these two
individuals and their neighbours. This paper also takes the perspective of how a social worker
may help in managing the situation. Different social worker professional capabilities in solving
the case are also discussed in this paper.
Statutory Powers and Legislation
The care act 2014 sees that adult safeguarding is upheld at all costs. The local authorities
were introduced to more responsibilities to take care of the adults in the society. This act offers
rules and guidance on support and care for adults in all perspectives and to keep adults safe from
neglect and abuse (Anncrafttrust.org 2018). It focuses on advocating for the well being of people
in the community. Among the issues addressed in this act includes stopping the problems before
they start. It is the duty of local councils to think and identify a problem before it starts or
manage it from getting to worse if it has already started. For the case of Mike and Mo, the local

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councils need to manage the situation and ensure that Mike and Mo’s rights are well protected.
They will do this by searching for an amicable solution to the situation being faced by these two
individuals in their neighbourhood. The act also provides for guidelines of making payments for
medical purposes the people in need in a case like that of Mike and Mo after they were attacked.
It is the duty of the council to ensure that the persons in need of care pay what they can afford
and the council takes care of the rest. The act also advocates for a person-centred care and
support. This kind of care identifies what service is important to a person and the care is given
according to the needs.
Equality act 2010 provides for equal employment opportunities for all citizens within the
country borders. Anyone denied an employment opportunity in an organization due to disability
rather than qualification is considered disability discrimination (Citizensadvice.org.uk 2018). A
disabled person should be provided with the necessary special equipment in order to be able to
carry-on with duties. The case of Mike being dismissed can be considered as disability
discrimination by the employer which is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010. The
circumstances under which Mike was dismissed were also against the employment act 1996
which provides a detailed explanation of the circumstances under which a person can be
dismissed (Legislation.gov.uk 2018).
Mike and Mo can be regarded as part of a big social group that needs special care in
society. Mo has a mental issue which was caused by his childhood experiences in Somalia which
affects him time to time. Mike, on the other hand, suffers from Myalgic Encephalomyelitis
(ME) which leaves him physically disabled at times. The vulnerability of the two escalates when
they receive threats in their home and also suffers assault. Safeguarding vulnerable groups’ act of
2006 introduces new barring and vetting scheme and also the role of independent safeguarding

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authority (Anncrafttrust.org 2018). The act is concerned with the care that the vulnerable group
receives. This is done through a thorough vetting and pressing criminal charges for the non-
compliance with the set standards by the state.
There also exists a mental capacity act of 2005 which is meant to draw a line between the
mentally stable individuals and those that need extra care. The general principle of this act is that
everybody has a mental capacity unless proven otherwise (Anncrafttrust.org 2018). This act
emphasizes supporting decisions made from a sound mind. It also states that if something is done
for or on behalf of other citizens without capacity must be done in the best interest of the general
public. Mike and Mo decided to move to Northampton from Luton on their own without anyone
interfering with their decision. There should be measures, therefore, to give adequate security to
these two individuals in their neighbourhood until they decide to relocate themselves rather than
being forced to move out.
Deprivation of liberty safeguards came into force in April 2009 (Anncrafttrust.org 2018).
It was introduced as a complementary to the mental capacity 2005 to see for the appropriate
safeguarding of the vulnerable. Mo, in this case, can be termed as a vulnerable person who lacks
consent on what is for his best interest. The post-traumatic stress disorder being suffered by Mo
due to his childhood traumatic experiences has affected his mental health and therefore he may
cause harm to himself or others. This disorder is worsened by the assault subjected to them that
left him with a head injury thus worsening the situation. Any arrangements done for his care or
treatment should be done in such a way that they protect him from harm that he can cause to
himself or to others. These arrangements may deprive him of his liberty with the main focus of
protecting him and those that surround him from any harm he may cause.

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Potential Causes of Attacks
There exist disputes in every neighbourhood where people living in the same area may
have disagreement which may result in similar events experienced by Mike and Mo. The
narration explains that Mo is suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder due to the
experiences he went through in Somalia as a child. This disorder causes him to have events of
low mood and other times this disorder forces him to shout uncontrollably. This disorder may
affect Mo at any given time which means he may even shout while others are asleep. This causes
noise in the neighbourhood and the immediate neighbours may find this irritating and unbearable
(Clark 2018). This may bring disputes with the neighbours and my find Mike and Mo
unfavourable in the neighbourhood thus forcing them to move out through threats, assault and
other kinds of injustices that mike and more have been exposed to.
The physical appearance of Mike and Mo’s home may give rise to disputes with the
neighbours. Neighbours may find one not to fit in their neighbourhood community if they are not
of the same level when it comes to living standards. This is estimated to cause 18% of the
neighbours’ disputes (Malaikal 2017). The appearance of a home maybe fancy than that of the
neighbours and therefore jealousy give rise to such disputes resulting in threats. On the other
hand, the home may appear unmaintained thus looking like the odd one out in the
neighbourhood. The issue of home appearance may also be linked to the maintenance of shared
facilities such as gardens, parking, and fences among other facilities (Clark 2018). Shared
facilities are maintained by the people using the resource. Mike and Mo may have focussed more
on their careers and forgotten to take care of their responsibilities at home. This could be a
genuine reason for the neighbours to feel that Mike and Mo are a burden and therefore force
them to move through the acts described in the narration.

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Another potential issue that may cause tension among neighbours is the issue of
boundary (Sanders 2009). This constitutes a big percentage of the disputes that arise in
neighbourhoods. Cases brought about by boundaries may escalate and bring severe damages to
the people in dispute. This might be the case of Mike and Mo and hence the violence against
them. Such issues can be solved amicably through dialogue with the neighbours or through a
court of law which will make use of possession document to solve the case (Clark 2018).
Mo moved to the United Kingdom at the age of six from Somalia. This means that Mo is
of an African origin which brings a whole new perspective of race. The people exposing Mo and
Mike to violence maybe racists and therefore they hate to see Mo in their neighbourhood due to
the colour of his skin (Williams and Tregidga 2014). This may go to an extent of assaulting even
Mike so as the two may find the place hostile and move out. This hate crime can be symbolized
by the colour balloons thrown at their house. Mike however maybe a victim of circumstances as
he is a white British and a citizen of the United Kingdom. This should be therefore treated as
hate crime.
Social Worker Professional Capabilities in Solving the Case
Appreciating diversity, in this case, will help in solving the discrimination Mike and Mo
might be facing. As a social worker, understanding how one's identity is influenced by culture,
life experience, financial status, family composition, and other characteristics will help in
knowing how to handle the case (Socialworktoolkit.com 2018). In managing this case, a social
worker is supposed to take all the actions necessary in reference to legislative requirements that
are currently in place. This approach will challenge oppression and organisational discrimination
with the proper guidance.

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Justice, economic well being and the rights of the vulnerable must be upheld at all costs
(Green and Garratt 2018). A social worker, therefore, is there to understand the social justice
principles and put them into practice. This will guide a social worker to work within the
principles of civil and human rights and legislation equalities. It is by use of the professionalism
of the social worker that the legal perspectives that fight discrimination practice may be put to
work. A social worker, therefore, is able to identify the root cause of the threats, assault, and
discrimination being subjected to Mike and Mo. By doing this, a social worker should, therefore,
be in a position to uphold their rights through the use of legislative guidelines put in place.
It is necessary for the social worker to apply knowledge on law, social sciences and social
work practice in solving Mike and Mo’s case (Reamer 2005). This will involve deep research on
the two individuals and the whole neighbourhood. This research will enable the professional to
recognize how person-in-the-environment understanding can be achieved through the use of
systematic approaches and therefore inform the practice (Reamer 2005). Here a social worker
will need to demonstrate a critical knowledge of the wide range of models and theories that can
be put in practice for social work intervention with the community and the two individuals.
Mike and Mo have been subjected to threats and violence against them. When solving
this case it will need the use of authority and judgment skills which will be fundamental in
solving the case to prevent more harm, abuse, and neglect to Mike and Mo (Reamer 2005). Here
the professional need to be able to communicate the necessary information, advice accordingly,
advocate through giving of instruction and professional opinion, influence and persuade. This
can only be achieved through the selection of an appropriate framework through a holistic
approach and working in partnership with those in need of the service.
Conclusion

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Mike and Mo may have been subjected to threats, abuse, and assault due to many reasons
that are covered in this paper. There exist policies and legislation that are meant to protect the
rights of every citizen within the borders. Among the legislation discussed in this paper include
the care act 2014 that bestows responsibility of adult care to the local authorities. This paper also
covers the legislation put in place to safeguard the vulnerable in the society. The mental capacity
care that is applicable in this situation due to the state that Mo is in. The deprivation of liberty
that came to force in 2009 also supplement on the mental capacity care in ensuring that patients
are protected from harming themselves and also others.
This paper also examines the reasons that may have been the cause of the threats and
assault that Mike and Mo are going through. The paper takes the perspective that the problem
lies within the neighbourhood itself and may have been caused by several issues. Among the
issues discussed in this paper is noise making by Mo which may have offended their neighbours.
Mike and Mo may also have misused or failed to take care of the shared resources.
The final section of this paper discusses what can be done to remedy the situation and
help Mike and Mo from a social worker point of view.
Reference List

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Anncrafttrust.org (2018). Safeguarding Adults at Risk Key Legislation and Government
Initiatives. [online] Ann Craft Trust. Available at:
https://www.anncrafttrust.org/resources/safeguarding-adults-legislation/ [Accessed 23 Oct.
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Citizensadvice.org.uk (2018). Termination of employment and disability discrimination. [online]
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