Refer to the “Brent Case” on pages 75-76 in your text. Your job is to act as a social worker on this case. Complete the following questions and answer them in the Forum titled: Brent Case Based on what you have learned so far in this class, how would you go about interviewing this family? (What interviewing techniques would you use?) Do you believe the child is at risk from abuse or neglect and to what degree? Support your belief with evidence. What are the strengths or protective factors that could be built on with services to alleviate the problem? (Use the risk matrix on pages 217-220 to assess the risk and identify protective factors within the Brent Family). Do you think the home is a safe environment or must the child be placed? Read and respond to two of your classmates posts. Based on what I have learned thus far, I would use a variety of interviewing techniques.
While speaking to Mrs. Brent I would use the reflecting experience technique described on page 223. I would try to relate with Mrs. Brent while she discussed how she is feeling, while also commenting on how tired she looks, since she does mention herself that she spends much of her time asleep. I would also use reflecting content. She attributes her son Gordons death to him always being “sickly”. I would repeat this idea expressed by the client in hopes that she elaborates on the matter. This might help clarify why she thinks her son died. While interviewing her I would also employ confronting, interpreting, informing and guiding techniques. She needs to know what is taking place and what was ruled to be the cause of death of her infant. I would interpret the information given on page 76, regarding her upbringing and how that might contribute to the present challenges being faced. I would offer information, only if I see that she is capable of being receptive to the information. This can be information regarding assistance for her and her children.
Finally, I would guide Mrs. Brent. She needs to know that the present condition her children are in are frowned upon and what can happen if she does not seek help or is unable/ unwilling to change. The 3 children in Mrs. Brent’s care are at risk. According to table 10.1 found on page 217, Assessing risk for child maltreatment, we see that the children fall under several risk categories. Ricky at age 5 would be considered at a more concerning risk, whereas his two younger siblings, a three-year-old and 11-month-old are considered high risk. Other risk factors include the family structure. It is clear that there is a troubled relationship between Mrs. Brent and Mr. Brent. Mrs. Brent is now a single mother, this falls under more concerning risk. Her statement regarding why her 11-month-old has no diaper points, in my view, to some type of mental health issue. Her reasoning seems unsound. Without knowing precisely what may be wrong with the mother’s mental condition, I cannot state what level of risk, if any, there is to the children under this category.
The social worker also notes several beer cans found on a kitchen counter, this can indicate substance abuse, making it a more concerning risk. As stated in our text, Mrs. Brent begins to smoke in the home with her children present, this is a safety concern for the children. Mrs. Brent is exposing them to second hand smoke. She is also not changing her son and leaving him to sit on a dirty mattress containing urine and feces. This is a high risk. Lastly, the physical condition of the home. The outside of the home is described as, “run down” with a crowded back yard. The inside of the home smelled of “garbage” and “urine”. Unfortunately, I cannot state any protective factors related to the child without more information. The mother does not tell us whether she is willing to accept and receive support. We do not know if any of the children hold above average intelligence, have easy temperaments, a healthy self-esteem, have good peer relations or hobbies of any kind.
There are also no protective factors related to the parents. There is no indication of a positive relationship between the mother and children. Also, no appropriate family structure is noted. The little mentioned about extended family leaves us with the understanding that there might not be support from them either. I think the home is not a safe environment for the children. Her oldest son should not be taking on parental responsibilities. The mother acknowledges that she sleeps a lot and indicates that she sees no reason to change her sons diaper, claiming that there is no point. Allowing the child to sit in his own excrement is detrimental to the child’s health. This leads me to think that she is unfit to parent, at least in her present state. The current home is not a safe environment for these children and should therefore be placed. I don’t have the textbook. I have my classmate’s answers, you can refer it, but do not copy it.
