CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services

CHCCCS019 Recognise and respond to crisis situations

Case Study Part 1(Questions 1-2):

Julie is a young mother of two children, Jessica 6 years and Isabelle 3 years. Julie has a diagnosis of with post-natal depression and anxiety after the birth of Jessica. Julie has experienced a traumatic childhood being physically and sexually abused by an uncle she lived with after the tragic death of her parents in a car accident when she was 4 years old. Julie has never received any counselling from past trauma.

Julie 22 years of age states that she has been physically and sexually abused by her husband John 40 years of age since they married. John as of a month ago has escalated the abuse towards Jessica by yelling and hitting her across the face; he pushed Jessica two weeks ago and broke her arm. Jessica says that she is scared of her Father. After a conversation with the social worker at the local hospital Julie agreed to leave the relationship and take refuge in a local safe house. You are a case manager of the safe house and meet with Julie and her children on their arrival.

1. Julie provides consent for you to contact local services on her behalf. a list of ten questions you might ask and who you would contact as you gather information to support Julie and her two children in preparing for crisis support. The first one has been completed for you.

Question	Appropriate professional, person or source
Are there any other services involved? If so which services?	Julie

Case Study cont'd(Questions 3-7):

You observe throughout discussions with Julie that she is withdrawn, frightening to answer questions, lacking confidence, crying and clinging to her children. Jessica keeps telling her Mother "stop crying Mummy it is going to be ok" Isabelle is nonverbal and clings to her Mothers leg. One of your colleagues attempt to interact with the children introducing some games, colouring and puzzles however both of the children are very slow to respond taking quite a long time to separate from their Mother.

You sit with Julie whilst the children are playing and Julie advises that she is socially isolated with no family. She worked with a counsellor during her teenage years but this stopped once she married John. She did have a good friend at school but has not seen her since the birth of Jessica as John would not let anyone in the home. John controlled all the money of which Julie was given a small amount of pocket money each week. Julie is scared that John will find her as there is no AVO in place; Julie has never spoken with anyone about the abuse and has never made a police report.

Jessica attends school spasmodically as John will not give Julie access to the care and does not like Julie leaving the house. Julie will not leave if any bruising is visible to avoid being asked any questions. Isabelle has not attended child care. Her only social interaction is with her big sister. Isabelle does not speak, she points to what she wants. You observe that both children are clean, neatly dressed and of a healthy weight for their ages.

Julie says she is ready to make some changes for herself and her beautiful girls as she does not want her children to experience the childhood she had.

1. Using the problem-solving steps below as a case manager outline at least two questions you may ask Julie to support her in addressing her emotional distress. Needs alignment

Step	Questions
Define the problem
How does Julie feel?
Work collaboratively with Julie
Look for alternatives
Make a plan
Take action

2) In two paragraphs describe how you would empower Julie to make informed choices about accepting support?

3) You support Julie to collaboratively develop an action plan to access supports and professionals to help her through this crisis situation.

the action plan below with an action, who will complete the action, when the action will happen and what procedure would be used.

Ensure you have a minimum of six actions considering appropriate referrals. The first one has been completed for you

Action Plan Name: Julie, Jessica and Isabelle Date:
Action:	Who:	When:	What procedure would you use with this referral/action.
Make a report to the DVLO - request a AVO be put in place for Julie and the children's protection	Case Manager/Julie	Immediately	Phone DVLO and provide information. Document all information on organisational incident report