Social Work Case Study: Domestic Violence and Family Support

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Contents
ASSESSMENT 1..................................................................................................................................2
PART 2..............................................................................................................................................2
CASE NOTES 1....................................................................................................................................3
Date...............................................................................................................................................3
Time..............................................................................................................................................3
Where............................................................................................................................................3
Who was present?..........................................................................................................................3
Reason...........................................................................................................................................3
Presenting issues............................................................................................................................3
Ongoing plan of care:....................................................................................................................4
Options discussed..........................................................................................................................4
Decisions / Actions........................................................................................................................4
Referral to specialist agency..........................................................................................................4
ASSESSMENT 2..................................................................................................................................6
PART 2..............................................................................................................................................6
CASE NOTES 2....................................................................................................................................6
Date...............................................................................................................................................7
Time..............................................................................................................................................7
Where............................................................................................................................................7
Who was present?..........................................................................................................................7
Reason...........................................................................................................................................7
Presenting issues............................................................................................................................7
Ongoing plan of care:....................................................................................................................8
Options discussed..........................................................................................................................8
Decisions / Actions........................................................................................................................8
Referral to specialist agency..........................................................................................................8
ASSESSMENT 3..................................................................................................................................9
PART 1..............................................................................................................................................9
PART 2............................................................................................................................................10
PART 3............................................................................................................................................10

ASSESSMENT 1
PART 2
1. When a person is experiencing domestic violence or fear of violence she or he may not
communicate regarding their situation openly. In Annalise’s case she might be afraid of
losing her children to child care after she confirms her violent experiences, she also may be
feeling ashamed, may fear the escalation of violence at home, or may not have any awareness
or education regarding the services and help she might access for her condition. These
barriers are commonly present which restrict the individual to share their experiences of
domestic violence.
2. Red flags are the signs that may be identified properly to confirm the presence of domestic
violence in the family. The two red flags that were identified during this case were the social
withdrawal of Annalise and her lack of concentration during playgroup and Behavior of the
child feeling insecure and do not leave her mother. Annalise also is seen to feel isolated and
distracted during the playgroup and is not able to cope or relate or connect with other mothers
in the group.
3. Children who face r experience domestic or family violence have severe impact on their
development and psychology. It includes the development of fear and anxiety in the child,
issues with attachment and enhancement of fear that cause them to stay attached to their
parent, cognitive impairment, lack of concentration and poor mental health. The other
consequences can include insecurity, regressive behavior, anger, insomnia, depression, and
on the witnessing infants it may impact by sleep disorders, feeding issues, excessive crying,
fear etc.
4. Responding to the domestic violence needs a holistic approach. I will make sure that the
safety and security of Annalise and her children will be kept intact. I will focus on
empathetic approach that will make Annalise continue her sessions and playgroup time. I will
make sure she creates a rapport with me that will enable her to communicate freely with me
regarding her condition and situation in the family. I will use the therapeutic approaches in
order to safeguard and educate Annalise and her children so that they can perceive help in
need.
5. Domestic violence is a common term used in health and social care but usually it is not
very well understood. The intensity and severity of domestic violence was presented to me

while I worked in this case. By learning this unit I got to know various behavior and belief
that the individual indulged in domestic violence present. It helped me in understanding how
the perpetrator thinks and behaves and what are the cause of their behavior as well as the
thinking and justification of the victim that silently undergoes this violence. I also learnt the
impact of domestic violence on families and children. This unit helped me enhance my
education and belief regarding domestic violence as a crucial and sever issue in society.
CASE NOTES 1
Date - 14.05.2019
Time - 10:00am
Where - Neighborhood playgroup programme
Who was present?
Annalise Client
--------------- Worker
Reason
Annalise should signs of domestic violence and reported being distressed
Presenting issues
Annalise is 22 years old female who shifted her with her partner who secured employment
here. She attends the playgroup with her two children 9 months old (Aaron) and 3 years old
(Josie). It was seen that on Tuesday Annalise came to the group with facial bruising. On
asking she reported that the bruising was due to her falling down the stairs at her unit the day
before. The social worker noticed how distracted and anxious Annalise was at time and she
was not able to connect to other mothers in the group. Aaron presents the signs of insecurity
and fear and hardly leaves Annalise’s side during the playgroup. Jane had a private
conversation with Annalise in order to know the real situation and that time she broke out
crying and said she could not talk about it. Jane persuaded her to talk to the support worker at
the center and she agreed to set a meeting with her.

She came to meet me on Tuesday and I arranged a soothing environment with facilities for
kids so that the interview can be done uninterruptedly. She was afraid to talk about her family
situation but opened up to me saying that she is afraid of her husband and there is sometimes
incidence between them that may hurt her. She is alone in this region and has lost all contact
with her family and friends.
Moving forward I planned intensive 5days workshop for Annalise and her kids to plan a
comprehensive safety plan for them.
Ongoing plan of care:
Annalise’s goal is to live independently without fear of violence with her husband and
children. She will fill the safety plan that advices her to see a psychologist once every week
and continue attending the playgroup. She will achieve Women’s Domestic Violence Support
Services and achieve better plan for her safety and children’s care. She will also engage more
in the community activities and try making more social contact that can help her during the
violent acts. She will try and bring her husband to the programme and report any of the
severe happenings in the family. She also has a crises management plan with packing of the
important things that she can take and elope in case of violent attacks from her husband.
Psychology solutions: 55942163
Women’s supportive services: 1800246534
Options discussed
Annalise has been given gals to complete in short term and long term like joining community
services, activities, working on meditation, and using support services.
She has also been given an option to turn her husband in and live in the community care with
her children.
Decisions / Actions
Annalise has agreed to see the community support services and a psychologist once a week
and also agreed to continue attending the playgroup with her children.
Referral to specialist agency
Annalise needs help with domestic violence so for that referral from Women’s Domestic
Violence Support Services can be taken: 1800246534

In case of violent attack on her she can call for help from Police: 000

ASSESSMENT 2
PART 2
1. Tom must be feeling ashamed, he had a thought that other people after knowing what
Jenny behaves like with Peter will send her to rehabilitation or mental care away from them,
he must also be afraid of losing Peter to care support. These are some of the barriers that may
have restricted Tom to speak openly or share the scenario that occurs at his house including
the violence by his wife Jenny.
2. Tom is mainly experiencing the stress from the inadequate job and the behavior of his wife
Jenny towards their son. He must be facing tremendous stress and requires social support to
help him with both the individuals in the family including Peter and Jenny.
Jenny on other hand is feeling irritated and anxious with extra burden of care process of their
son. Her behviour is not normal and requires mental health counseling and psychotherapy
support.
Peter is being victimized and suffering the domestic violence and abuse by his mother. He
requires be safeguarding and securing from such incidences.
3. Peter is physically and mentally disabled and his disabilities impact on seeking protection
from the domestic violence and abuse he is suffering from. He is not able to speak or move
and is dependent on his family for support. Under the Mental Capacity Act Peter has to have
his guardians claim to support his complaint regarding nay such incidence. He is unable to
report and seek protection as his mother is the one who is responsible for the situation and he
done not have that ability to report or raise concern regarding the issues.
4. Support planning and safety planning is required in situations of domestic violence and can
be best influence by family and friends who can support the individual in risk. In case of
Peter, Tom can plan appropriate safety plan for him to access in case of violence. This can
include ringing the bell when in need, calling the support services, getting ready the bag pack
with all appropriate necessary things to be able to leave in worst case scenario. Get help from
telephone or online counseling. These steps can help him to be safe and secure from any sort
of violence in future and also will make Tom know when to raise the red flags.

CASE NOTES 2
Date - 20.05.2019
Time - 09:00am
Where – Disability support services
Who was present?
Peter Client
------------ Worker
Reason
Peter is suffering from disability and domestic violence
Presenting issues
Peter is a young man suffering from physical and intellectual disabilities after undergoing a
car accident. He lives with his parents Tom and Jenny. As a support worker I used to go to
the house of Peter to collect him for social activities and community services and had chance
to communicate with Tom and Jenny couple of times. Peter can communicate but he has
slurred speech and short term memory with limited problem solving skills. He is physically
disabled that has restricted him and he uses wheelchair to move and also requires assistance
with activities of daily living. During the care process I noticed that Jenny is an aggressive
and dominating person who as dismissive thoughts about Peter. Tom is quite a gentle man but
has no secure job and helps his wife with care of Peter. Tom has to work extra shifts in his
new job ad so he found Jenny being more irritated and aggressive for being overburdened by
the Peter’s responsibilities.
Tom phones me one evening and meets me to discuss a situation, he reported that one day
when he was back from work he found Peter tied with his bed and bruises on his back. Peter
also reported him of Jenny being aggressive with him and throwing plates and things at him.
He reported how Jenny’s behavior is worsening every day and she is blaming him for
burdening him with Peter. Tom is stressed and not knowing what to do to safeguard Peter ad
help Jenny at the same time.
I looked into the whole scenario and called for a family support services for them. Jenny
requires counseling and psychological help and was appointed 3 weeks session for behavior
management.

Peter was educated regarding the violence and how to safeguard himself from such attacks.
They were also provided with the social support for domestic help to calm Jenny and lessen
her burden with Peter.
Ongoing plan of care:
Jenny is having troubles with her mental condition and needs psychological assistance on
priority basis. She is appointed for 3 weeks psychotherapy with a psychologist. She also
needs to be provided social support for domestic help. Peter is required t attend physiotherapy
as well as educational programmes to make him safeguard or raise voice against violence he
suffers. He is also to attend social activities and community services for better recovery and
quality of life. Tom is planned to attend the psychological support services too, to make him
reduce his stress.
Psychology solutions: 55942163
Police: 000
Disability support services: 150046953
Options discussed
Tom was provided an option of moving Jenny to rehabilitation and community mental care
for some time to make her recover and leave Peter with community support worker while he
goes for work.
Peter can be sent to the disability community support center to safeguard him from violence
at home.
Tom and Jenny can attend the psychotherapy and social worker will be present to handle
Peter at home with oversee and safeguard him from any sort of violence.
Decisions / Actions
Tom agreed to attend psychotherapy with Jenny weekly and accept help from a social worker
who can take care of Peter.
Referral to specialist agency
Peter needs help with domestic violence and support services: 1800246534
In case of violent attack on her she can call for help from Police: 000

Disability support services in case of harm or any incidence: 150046953
Psychology solutions: 55942163

ASSESSMENT 3
PART 1
1. Cultural, social and historical factors are usually associated with domestic violence. IN the
client’s case the cultural factors and historical factors associated determined how violence
between a wife and husband is common in Africa and is also acceptable socially and
culturally but it is not a system in Australia. Similarly in Marcia’s case she knows that her
husband is doing wrong and it is illegal in this country yet she hides it and defends him by
denoting how he does not understand that some things were acceptable in their home nation
but not here. Some culture accepts domestic violence as husband’s right and do not prove to
be skeptical regarding it.
2.a Vicarious trauma is defined as the state of social workers to emotional residue of
exposure to the trauma of others. It is caused due to constant exposure to pain, emotional
fatigue, fear and terror by the clients. Marcia is experiencing vicarious trauma as she is
correlating the client’s situation with own situation and feels distressed. Compassion fatigue
is defined as the gradual reduction of compassion over time and is also known as secondary
traumatic stress.
2.b Marcia is experiencing vicarious trauma as she is complaining of the pain she feels while
dealing with the clients who has had trauma and reports their pain to her constantly. She
shows signs of such a condition as she starts to relate her own self to the situation of her
client and feels the pain and emotional burnout same as her client.
2.c While Marcia told me regarding her situation I would like to respect her request and keep
her details confidential, but I will surely suggest her to undergo counseling and programmes
that will help her cope with the situation. I will also ensure that her husband is brought to the
programme to receive some help and this can improve her conditions.
2.d She can be referred to
Women’s family support services
Indigenous Family Violence support
or Legal services.

3. As per the Duty of Care that I have regarding all the employees of my agency it is my duty
to safeguard Marcia from the mental trauma that she can undergo while dealing with this
family. In order to do so I will console her and ask her to transfer the case to another social
worker so that the pain and trauma reported by the client in this case may not trigger her own
concerns and insecurities. Also I will make sure she refers and attains proper counseling and
support services to improve the current status of her family.
PART 2
1. While Marcia will not be able to continue working with this family I will take over the
case and try to build a rapport with the family to initiate care. It is my duty to oversee the
cultural and social differences and try to build a rapport with the family. Language will be
one chief concern that may present as a barrier so for this I will try to use translating services
and build a rapport on basis of better verbal and nonverbal communication. The cultural
aspect of this family can be briefly understood by Marcia that will help me with interacting
well with them.
2. My values and beliefs may distract my role as a social worker as seeing the man or the
father as the one doing the incorrect things may set my approach to be discriminating towards
him. But to ensure proper care I will not allow these feelings to overpower my judgment and
will try to collaborate with the father and the other members of the family to provide them
adequate care.
PART 3
After planning the care for this family I would like to include two short terms and two long
term plan for this family
Short term goals
Safeguarding children
Educating the parents
Long term goals
Seeking employment for the father
Social services for the mother