University Social Work Practice Essay: Askin Family Case Study

This essay provides an in-depth analysis of the "Askin Family" case study, focusing on the challenges faced by a 12-year-old boy named Justin and his family following the parents' separation. The essay examines the negative impacts on Justin's well-being, including his aggressive behavior, emotional distress, and the effects of his parents' separation. It also discusses the strengths, resources, and protective factors within the Askin family, such as supportive family members and financial stability. Furthermore, the essay explores various approaches and interventions that could facilitate greater well-being and a better person-environment fit for Justin, including counseling, family therapy, and increased support from both parents. The analysis draws on the ecological systems theory and life course development to provide a comprehensive understanding of the case and potential solutions.

Running head: SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Social Work Practice
Name of the student
Name of the University
Author note

1SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Social work refers to academic discipline along with the profession that deals with the
individuals along with the families that helps in the enhancement of the social functioning. It
takes care of the overall well-being of the people within the framework of the society. Social
functioning refers to manner by which the people carry out the social roles. Social
functioning helps in providing the structural institutions to the people that helps in the
sustenance of the people living within the society (Turner, 2017). Social work is indicative
of the application of the social sciences like the sociology, public health along with the
community development. The Case Study, “The Askin Family” throws light on the problem
that the family was going through on account of the separation in between Gill Askin and her
husband called Fred. The twelve year son of Gill Askin called Justin had grown aggressive on
account of the fact that he was close to his father. The case study discusses how Justin could
not tolerate the fact that his father was no longer living them with them and this left him
tormented. This essay throws light on the factors that had a negative effect on the well-being
of Justin. The essay also discusses about the strengths, resources along with the protective
factors in relation to the Askin family. The essay also talks about the possible approaches that
can help in providing the right kind of environment for Justin.
There are various kinds of factors that have a negative effect on the well-being of
Justin. According to the case study, “The Askin Family”, Gill Askin could not manage the
aggressive behaviour of Justin and it was growing worse day by day. Justin was placed in the
child care that deteriorated the mental condition of Justin. He did not get the care along with
the protection of his parents that left him in a deeply distressed condition. Justin needed the
company of his parents in the formative years that had negative impact on the mental
condition of Justin. He was placed in the child care at that of a very early age that left a deep
mark on the mental condition of Justin. Justin was acting in an aggressive manner towards the
siblings and her mother. Justin’s school had suspended him on account of the fact that he was

2SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
hitting the other children in the school. Justin was surprised by the leaving of Fred and it left
him in a devastated condition. Fred, father of Justin was not allowed to see the kids and it
further deteriorated the situation. Gill developed the post-natal depression and this created a
rift in between Gill and Fred. Fred had to move in another room so that he could continue
going for the work. Ecological systems theory helps in providing the framework with the help
of which the community psychologists examine the relationship of the individuals with the
communities and that of wider society (Knott & Scragg, 2016). This theory talks about five
environmental systems within which an individual carries out the interaction. The five
systems are mesosystem, microsystem, exosystem, macro system along with the
chronosystem. Microsystem comprises of the institutions that have a direct impact on the
development of the child. Mesosystem lays stress on the interconnections that exists in
between microsystem. Exosystem comprises of the links between the social setting where an
individual does not have any kind of active role. Macrosystem helps in describing the culture
within which the individuals live in the society (Greene, 2017). Chronosysem talks about the
pattern of the environmental events along with the transitions over the course of life of an
individual. On the basis, of this theory it can be argued that Justin was deprived of the
microsystems that could have helped him in retaining his mental equilibrium. He was left
within the child care that brought about the aggressive tendencies in him. He used to feel
isolated and dejected on account of the fact that he was very close to his father and his father
leaving the family gave rise to mental trauma in Justin. The environmental events in the life
of Justin caused him acute disturbance and left him in a very vulnerable state of the mind
(Gould & Taylor, 2017).
The Askin family had various kinds of resources along with the protective factors that
provided them with the right amount of the strength. On the basis of case study, “The Askin
Family”, Gill had a supportive family that acted as a source of strength for the family of

3SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Askin. This helped Gill in returning to her teaching that provided her with a great amount of
strength. Fred used to provide the financial support that greatly helped the Askin family. Gill
had close connection with her parents that helped in providing the strength to the family. The
other resources that are possessed by the Askin family are in the form of Hannah along with
Philip. Hannah was an easy child from the beginning and this can act as a source for the
Askin family. She was doing things in a natural manner and she can act as a source of support
for Justin. They can provide the support to Justin that can help him in leading a normal life.
Gill had a supportive family and this helped her to beck back to the profession of teaching.
Fred had offered to be with Justin and this has helped in providing the necessary amount of
help to the Askin family. The resources that Askin family have are in the form of supportive
parents who can help Justin in regaining his mental health. He has the support of his parents
that can help him in leading a normal life (Parker, 2017). The teachers of Justin are also
helping him out that can act as a source of strength for the disturbed child. The teachers
devote a large amount of attention on Justin and this can help him in getting back to the
normal flow of the life (Howe, 2017). According to the case study, “The Askin Family,
Justin is more solid as compared to that of his peers and this can greatly help him in retaining
his mental health. Justin also gets some amount of support from his coach at the school that
can greatly add to his favour. A worker had been contacted that can help in taking care of the
fragile mental condition of Justin. Fred along with his new partner Susie has agreed to meet
with the worker that can offer the necessary amount of support for the Askin family. Fred
stated the fact that Justin was like the older brother of Fred who could not do much at school
but later on went on to have a successful trade. Fred was ready to offer the necessary amount
of time to Justin that can be helpful for Justin. It can help Justin in getting over the mental
trauma and getting over the element of aggression in his life. Susie also agreed to the fact that
she was ready to lend the helping hand to Justin that can greatly act to the benefit of Justin.

4SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
Fred is sympathetic towards Gill and this can greatly provide the necessary amount of moral
support to her. Susie is understanding and she thinks that Gill should be with another man
that can help her in getting over the element of loneliness in her life. The protective factors
are provided to the Justin family owing to the fact that Fred is eager to have Justin frequently
and he wants to take the responsibility of the child. Susie says that in the event of Justin
visiting his family he has to abide by the rules and this can help Justin in adjusting to the
situation in his life (Greene, 2017). Based on the case study, “The Askin Family”, Susie
understands the plight of Justin and accepts the fact that he can be controlled with the right
amount of the rules. Fred along with Susie agreed to meet with the worker and this can prove
to be useful for that of the Askin family. The parents of Fred used to dote on Justin that can
help in providing the social support to the deprived child (Fook, 2016). He can get over the
sorrow plight in his life in the event of getting the extensive support from his grandparents
that can help him in coping with the troubles in his life. The families of both Gill along with
Fred are supportive of the family that can act as a valuable resource for that of the Askin
family. The mother of Fred called Mary dotes on Justin and is willing to extend the necessary
amount of support to the child. Gill along with the children live within the well-to-don part of
the tow that is a valuable support for the Askin family. Gill enjoys a large amount of support
among her friends that can help her in rising above the troubles in her life (Coleman, 2018).
Gill stated that she along with the children enjoy the good health that provides strength for
the family. Gill along with Fred have the parenting values that was imbibed in them with the
help of their families. Justin is also involved with that of the sporting clubs that can help him
in getting over the difficult times in his life.
There are various approaches that can be made use of by the Askin family that can
help in the facilitation of greater well-being of Justin. Justin can be helped in the event of
having regular meetings with his father Fred that can help him in getting over the element of

5SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
insecurity in his life (Garbarino, 2017). It can help Justin in adjusting to the situations in his
life that can help in assimilating himself with the conditions of his life. They should go out
together that can help in providing mental support to that of Askin family. Gill should help
Justin in coping with the conditions of is life by talking about the positive factors that were
present in his life. Justin should be made known about the fact that the way he feels is
important for his parents that can help him in adjusting to the hostile situations of his life. The
Askin family can take the help of a counsellor that can help in putting the feelings of the
children into the words. It can help in legitimizing the feelings of the children that can act to
the benefit of the children belonging to Askin family. The family can take the help of a
therapist that can help the family in dealing with the sufferings and the bitter circumstances
of his life (Turner, 2017). It can help Justin in adjusting to that of the new living situation of
Justin. The Askin family should behave in a patient manner with the children that can help
the family in dealing with the crisis in their life. Gill should consult the teachers of Justin that
can play the role of a useful approach that can help the vulnerable children of that of Askin
family (Howe, 2017).
Social work is indicative of academic discipline that can help the families in dealing
with the tensions in their life. It can aid in the process of social functioning of the families.
The negative factors in the life of Justin worsened his mental condition in the everyday life.
Gill Askin was unable to control aggressive behaviour of that of Askin and this made Justin
plunge into depression. The placing of Justin in that of child care deteriorated mental
condition of that of Justin. He was devoid of the care of his parents that put him in a
depressed state of the mind. Gill had parents who were supportive that provided support to
that of Askin family. Gill could return back to her teaching since she got the support of her
parents. Fred can offer the right amount of time to Justin that can help the vulnerable child.
This can be helpful for Justin in overcoming the stress in her life. This can help him in getting

6SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
rid of the aspect of aggression in his life. Justin can have regular meetings with that of his
father Fred that can help him in getting rid of the element of insecurity in his life.
References
Coleman, J. S. (2018). Parents, their children, and schools. Routledge.
Fook, J. (2016). Social work: A critical approach to practice. Sage.
Garbarino, J. (2017). Children and Families in the Social Environment: Modern Applications
of Social Work. Routledge.
Gould, N., & Taylor, I. (2017). Reflective learning for social work: research, theory and
practice. Routledge.
Greene, R. (2017). Human behavior theory and social work practice. Routledge.
Greene, R. R. (2017). Social work with the aged and their families. Routledge.
Howe, D. (2017). An introduction to social work theory. Routledge.
Knott, C., & Scragg, T. (Eds.). (2016). Reflective practice in social work. Learning Matters.
Parker, J. (2017). Social work practice: Assessment, planning, intervention and review.
Learning Matters.
Turner, F. J. (Ed.). (2017). Social work treatment: Interlocking theoretical approaches.
Oxford University Press.
Reading Material
Hypothetical Case Study “The Askin Family”