Nasreen Robinson
62763490
BSW3701
Assignment 1
Due date: 4 May 2022
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Table of contents
QUESTION 1:
SOCIAL WORK WITH COUPLES AND FAMILIES
- Types of families and observable issues
QUESTION 2:
BASIC SKILLS IN CASEWORK
- Culturally competent communication
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Empathy
QUESTION 3:
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
- Child care according to the Childrens Act 38 of 2005
QUESTION 4:
INTERVENTION PROCESS
- The helping relationship
QUESTION 5:
INTEGRATED APPROACH
QUESTION 6:
CASEWORKERS ROLES
- enabler, coordinator, broker, empowerer
QUESTION 7:
THEORIES AND INTERVENTION
- Crisis intervention, empowerment approach
QUESTION 8:
PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW
- Five essential questions
QUESTION 9:
CORE CONDITIONS FOR FACILITATION
QUESTION 10:
PERSON CENTRED APPROACH
QUESTION 11:
CHALLENGES FACED BY FAMILY
QUESTION 12:
COMMUNICATION SKILLS
- warmth
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Introduction
This assignment covers the case study of the Mothopi family. The family comprises of 2
parents and 3 children. The family have been living in dire poverty, their survival depends on
the two-child support grants they receive, and the infrequent jobs done by the father. The living
conditions are not ideal, with poor nutrition, poor communication, drug use, and aggression
taking center stage in the family's life.
In this assignment, we will dissect this family at its core and come up with solvable solutions to
their situation.
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Question 1: Discuss the type of family that is presented in the case study and substantiate
your answer by identifying all the issues observable in this family. (6)
SOCIAL WORK WITH COUPLES AND FAMILIES
- Types of families and observable issues
What constitutes a family? There are many different types of families, such as single-parent
families, child-headed families, families consisting of same-sex partners, etc. Therefore, the
definition of ‘family’ has considerably changed over the years. The Social Work Dictionary
(2003) defines a family as “a primary group whose members assume certain obligations for
each other and generally share common residences”.
The type of family observable in this case study is a nuclear family. The family consists of a
mother, a father, and their children. (Though in the African culture, a family includes the
extended family)
The issues observed in this nuclear family are ones that are closely linked to social issues.
According to Glicken (2011), a social problem is an issue within society that makes it difficult
for people to achieve their full potential.
These are the observable issues in the Mothopi family, poverty caused by unemployment,
substance abuse, poor communication, aggression, and lack of family and community support
networks. Families facing unemployment have a high risk of committing crimes, neglecting or
abusing children, and indulging in different forms of substances.
Question 2: Select three communication skills that you would use with this family to address its
problematic situation. Explain how you would use these communication skills. (9)
BASIC SKILLS IN CASEWORK
There are basic communication skills that need to be utilized for effective intervention.
Professional skills and techniques should be used to probe beyond the presenting problem so
that we can get to the actual/identified problem. Here are three communication techniques that
I would use:
- Culturally competent communication
I would have to learn about the Mothopi family's background, research the community the
Mothopi family resides in, and the culture within their environment. Atteridge is a settlement
that was created for black people in the pre-apartheid era. The Atteridgeville population
consists of 99% black Africans1. Africans have a deep sense of spiritualty and beliefs in the
metaphysical world. It is important for me to understand the culture and its functions in human
behavior. To effectively communicate and start the helping process, I need to be self-aware of
my personal beliefs and values, spend time getting to know the family, keep personal bias in
check, learn the societal norms and values of the family's environment and always remember
that the Mothopi family are the experts of their own experiences and that I am not.
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Verbal and non-verbal communication
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Verbal communication is spoken words, this includes the tone, pitch, and delivery of the
speech. Empathy, minimal encouragers, paraphrasing and reflection, clarifying and
summarizing, probing, and questioning are necessary skills in verbal communication.
Nonverbal communication as defined by Kirst-Ashman (2017:125) are a body language and
sounds that convey information about how a person feels without saying so in words. There
are skills necessary for non-verbal communication as 80 percent of communication is done
non-verbally. Being available, displaying attentiveness, actively listening and using appropriate
silences will encourage the working relationship and trust to form.
It is vital that all these skills are utilized so that the Mothopi family and I will build rapport,
establish trust, and bridge differences.
- Empathy
It is important to show the family empathy. Empathy is defined by Grobler and Scheck
(2009:53) as being able to see what the client's world is like. It is being able to comprehend
their internal frame of reference and communicate this back in a sensitive and understanding
manner. Showing the family genuine empathy will help the Mothopi family pay attention to and
value their experiences, process their experience, view prior experiences in new ways and
increase their confidence in making choices about a course of action.
3. Identify five conditions that confirm that a child needs care (according to the Children Act 38
of 2005) and link them to the Mothopi family in the case study.
LEGISLATIVE FRAMEWORK
- Child care according to the Childrens Act 38 of 2005
The Act defines a child as a young person under the age of 18. Since the three children are
11, 13 and 15, this Act is applicable to their circumstances. The Act further dictates the criteria
to determine whether a child is in need of care and protection or not.
The conditions in this case study that confirm the children in the Mothopi family needs care
are:
1.
The 13 year old displays behavior (smoking dagga) that cannot be controlled by the
parents.
2.
The 13-year-old is using a dependence-producing substance, this is exasperated by the
fathers’ use of the substance as well.
3. The children live in and are exposed to circumstances that may seriously harm the
childrens’ physical, mental and social well-being. This is evident by the living conditions,
the lack of food, and the fathers' substance abuse.
4.
The children are in a state of mental neglect due to the fathers’ poor communication,
and unapproachable aggressive behavior.
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5.
The children live in circumstances that expose the child to exploitation. The children go
without food for 2 days, they will be at risk of begging for food, money, stealing, and
substance abuse.
Question 4: In your own words, explain why it is important to build a relationship with the client
before the start of the intervention process and describe how you would build rapport with the
Mothopi family.
INTERVENTION PROCESS
- The helping relationship
It is important to build rapport with clients. A positive worker-client relationship will facilitate
positive results and a conducive environment.
Since the school has contacted me regarding the child's use of drugs, I would have to make
every effort to gain the family's trust. I would need to use appropriate verbal and non-verbal
communication skills (as mentioned in question 2). The Mothopi family will be inclined to
engage in a non-threatening environment, it should be a safe and inviting space where a
therapeutic connection can be made, this will alleviate their anxiety. Introducing myself, my
role, and purpose with genuine warmth and empathy will give the family a sense of comfort
and well-being. Addressing the family in a genuine, respectable, culturally competent way,
always remembering that they are the experts in their own lives, and with a belief that all
people want to reach their highest potential will ensure good rapport. The family will be treated
as a partner so that they are fully involved, and empowered to make their own choices, this will
assist in building rapport.
Question 5: Discuss in detail how you would help this family using the integrated approach.
An integrated approach is a unitary approach, it is a combination of different approaches joined
together. People and their problems are multidimensional, therefore assessment and
intervention should be too.
The integrated approach is influenced by the systems theory. A change in one system, (i.e.,
the microsystem, mesosystem, exosystem, macrosystem, and chronosystem) has the potential
to affect the others. An integrated approach is holistic and seeks lasting solutions to problems.
I will start by using the problem-solving approach to understand the presented and identified
problem of the Mothopi family. The following problems are identified: family lives in poverty,
child and father addicted to dagga, the children are malnourished, father is aggressive and
unapproachable.
At the micro-level, I will use the Childs Act to declare that children are in need of care. I will
play the role of enabler, coordinator; and broker by linking the family to the necessary
resources to assist the children. The Social Assistance Act 59 of 1992 will be invoked, where I
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will advocate for the childcare grant for the 15year old child. I will then register the family with a
feeding scheme to obtain food parcels. The children will be referred to aftercare services such
as a community centre where they can get involved in sports, music etc.
The empowerment approach will be used to empower Mr and Mrs Mopothi to move toward
self-efficacy. We will explore their strengths and weakness.
At the mezzo level, I will introduce the parents to a support group, where they can be educated
about substance abuse, causes, and ways to assist their children in a volatile environment.
They would also be introduced to an entrepreneurship programme where they will gain skills to
sustain themselves. this programme will explore their interests and encourage them to pursue
it. The support group will empower, raise self-esteem, and build confidence in the Mothopi
family by sharing experiences with fellow members.
At the macro level, the group can be used to gain in funds for entrepreneurs. The funds can be
used to assist those who are unemployed in the large community. The community centred
approach will be used as a form of intervention. It will develop the Atteridgeville communities
capability to achieve what they regard as an improvement in their lives. Community members
will feel that they are able to improve their situation and make positive changes. By having the
community participate in the development of the programme, they will develop self-respect,
become self-reliant, confident, cooperative and tolerant.
Question 6: briefly discuss how you would use the following roles to assist the Mothopi family.
CASEWORKERS ROLE
-enabler, coordinator, broker, empowerer.
-Enabler: assisting the family in articulating their needs, clarifying and identifying their
problems, and coming up with solutions suited to the Mothopi family.
-Coordinator: as a coordinator I would coordinate with the relevant resources in the
community that can help the family and bring the components together in an organised
manner. Such as rehabilitation centres, youth centres, etc.
-Broker: as a broker my job would be to link the Mothopi family with community services such
as Atteridge Thusong Service Centre, this is where they can obtain a child support grant, food
relief programmes and internet access so the parents can seek employment.
-Empowerer: as an empowerer, I would encourage, support, and assist the family in
navigating their own paths, they will be empowered to make their own decisions since they
themselves know what's best for them. I would empower them to seek employment and skill
training.
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Question 7, in your own words, briefly explain how you would use the theories below to
intervene in the family's situation, with specific reference to the following statements: “it was
discovered that the 13-year-old is using drugs after his teacher caught him and his friends at
the school toilet using drugs” and “the family members relationship were found to be
threatened by poor communication and the father was reported to be very aggressive and
unapproachable. He was also reported to be abusing dagga”.
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Crisis intervention: There was a sudden stressful event, the teachers call to the parent
about their child’s drug use. This must've been a shock to the mother; since the child is
young and social workers have been called. Many parents fear a social worker being
called due to the stigma attached to social work (that social workers take children
away). It is important to note, that not everyone perceives a crisis the same way, the
father of the children, who abuses dagga himself might not have been as surprised by
his sons' current circumstances. He could also be really upset that his son has befallen
a similar fate that he has, therefore making him aggressive and unapproachable,
prohibiting him from assisting his son. This, however, is only an assumption I've made
with the limited information provided. Crisis intervention requires swift action; so that the
problem is contained, and the family can move toward healing. I would respond quickly
to the concern of the family; a crisis cannot be deferred. The family will be put in touch
with a rehabilitation programme to offer the 13-year-old and father assistance, as well
as the family who has suffered from the father's aggression due to his drug abuse. We
would have frequent contact about the condition of the children. I would provide
emotional first aid to the family by listening attentively, helping them focus on the
meaning of the crisis, and assisting them in taking positive actions toward a brighter
future.
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The empowerment approach: an empowerment approach is an approach that is
widely used across South Africa, this entails accepting your clients without judgement,
bias, or discrimination and with a positive belief that they can do all they set out to do,
enabling them to make positive life decisions without continuous intervention. For the
Mothopi family, I would empower the parents by getting to the root cause of their issues,
is it a lack of employment opportunities or is it a lack of education/skills training that
prohibits them from employment? I would ask what they think they could do to make a
positive change in their lives? What do they believe they can accomplish in a short
period to alleviate their suffering? If they were employed, would it assist? Would anger
management and parenting classes assist them? Why do they think their younger son is
using drugs? What could assist their children in having a better future? I would enquire
what is it they believe they can and want to do. Once this is established, we would work
on attaining the goals set out by them. I am not the expert on their lives, they are, and
they know what is best for their family. If they believe that skills training would assist in
employment or entrepreneurship, we will work at finding institutes to provide this
service. If proper nutrition is what they need, we would put them in touch with a local
feeding scheme and access to social services for the extra child support grant they
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could assist with feeding the family. I would empower the family to set attainable goals
that they could achieve and feel empowered by achieving these small goals. We will
explore and build on the strengths the family already has. It is my responsibility to help
the family build self-confidence, and take personal risks where needed in order for them
to get out of the self-limiting behavior. We would build the necessary support networks
within their community, and I would act as a broker for the family in this instance. The
hope is that they are empowered enough to succeed in the future without the complete
assistance of the state.
Question 8: As a social worker, you are told to conduct the first interview with the family.
Prepare five questions that you would ask and explain why it is important to ask these
questions. (15)
PRELIMINARY INTERVIEW
These are five questions that I would ask the family in our first interview:
1. What brings you here to today or why are you here?
It is important to establish the reasons why the family came to see you. This questions cuts to
the core of the problem; it allows the family the space to share their reasons/ issues for being
there. This question ensures the family knows that they are in charge and we are there to
listen, guide and support.
2. What meaning does the problem have for each of you or how does each of you
perceive the problem?
This will give the worker insight into the mindset and perception each member takes. If the
father believes that their sons drug use is not a problem, while the mother perceives the
opposite, this could cause a further divide between the couple and exasperate an already
difficult situation. The family would have to work towards a common/shared perception of the
problem.
3. When did the problem begin?
We ask this question to form a timeline of the situation; and seek possible triggers.
4. Where did the information about the problem come from?
It is important to determine whether it’s the family who seeks help, or if the family is there due
to the teacher's concern. This will tell us whether the family had known about the children’s
drug abuse or not. Did the family notice signs of drugs? Did the family know and ignore it? Did
they know and not have information about help centres?
5. How might the family look, behave or feel without this problem?
This is asked so the family can visualize a life without the problem, (with the child and father’s
drug abuse, would things be better? Or would it be the same due to poverty and lack of social
support?). We ask this so the family can get to the real underlying problems. The family
visualizes and hopefully becomes motivated and encouraged to solve the problems at hand.
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Question 9. Rogers (1987) emphasizes the core conditions for facilitation as the basis of
change and growth, namely genuineness, unconditional positive regard, and empathy. Use the
case study to discuss how you would use each condition to intervene in the Mothopi family’s
situation.
Genuineness- The Mothopi family might have some reservations about meeting with a social
worker. It could possibly be their first interaction with a facilitator, which might cause some
unease. For the Mothopi family to be comfortable, and open to inquiry, I would have to be
open, honest, and sincere without coming across as phony. To do this, I have to be self-aware,
authentic, and open to self-exploration.
Unconditional positive regard- for unconditional positive regard to take place with the
Mothopi family, this would entail that I accept the client as they are, when being told about the
drug abuse of the child, I should not be judgmental towards the parents, this would not assist
the family in a positive way, the family would not feel comfortable sharing their darkest times
with a facilitator if they were to be judgmental. I would have to ensure that I am aware of my
personal prejudices and stereotypes. I must be conscious about my own self in order to fully
accept and display unconditional positive regard toward the family.
Empathy-putting myself into the mind frame of the family will enable me to feel and
understand the way the family feels. I would convey understanding to the family by actively
listening, being attentive, reflecting, paraphrasing, and appropriate silences.
Question 10. Proposition 8 of the person-centered approach refers to “the self” of the client.
Provide a detailed description of this proposition and use the case study to describe “the self”
of the father.
“A portion of the total perceptual field gradually becomes differentiated as the self” (Rogers
1987:497)
Proposition 8 refers to the perception the father has of himself and his needs. He believes he
behaves as he does, aggressive and unapproachable, due to what he perceives his needs to
be. He behaves aggressive and is unapproachable due to his drug addiction. He needs to
assist his family and perceives himself as a failure since he unable to provide to their basic
needs. He believes he has to remain dominant in his family so he doesn’t lose control of the
family.
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Question 11. Identify three challenges faced by the Mothopi family and provide possible
solutions to them.
The family faces poverty- poverty causes many issues in family, and there is no quick solution
to poverty. The family has no proper nutrition and sometimes goes days without any food. This
will affect the children's ability to focus on school, and the parent’s ability to focus on their
children. To assist the Mothopi family with this I would liaise with community feeding schemes
in the Atteridgeville area. This would give the family one less worry, and time to focus on other
issues.
I would contact the local Department of Social Development and assist the family with
obtaining an extra child grant.
Job security- a family facing unemployment like the Mothopi family has a high risk of
committing crimes, neglecting or abusing children and indulging in different forms of
substances. The Mothopi’s social functioning can have a direct or indirect negative impact on
the community at large. A possible solution is to assist the family with obtaining adult education
training such as free entrepreneurship programmes offered within the community, and
encourage the family to volunteer within the community, this will give them a sense of purpose
and obtain necessary work skills, working together on building a basic cv, and teach them
basic interview skills.
Substance abuse: counseling the child and father, obtaining entrance into a local rehabilitation
centre within the Atteridgeville community.
Question 12. Discuss how you would use warmth as a communication skill when attending to
the Mothopi family’s situation.
Warmth can be communicated verbally and non-verbally. I would convey warmth to the family
by greeting them warmly with a genuine smile. My body language would be relaxed, open and
convey interest in the family’s experience. Warmth, as described by Kirst Ashman and Hull
(2010) depict warmth as a vehicle for acceptance. The family feels validated and accepted.
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Bibliography
Proof. L.I Qalinge, Dr Mathe, Dr R.P Mbezi, Case work: theories, methods and methods.
UNISA, Pretoria
Introduction to Social Work Practice – BSW1502
Introduction to the Landscape of Social Work practice- BSW1503
Atteridge community statistics1.
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