Case Scenario:
William is nearly 17, has criminal charges against him, is addicted to marijuana and is experiencing depression. A case manager, Michael, has been assigned to work with William to ensure continuity of care. Michael assesses William's needs following his criminal conviction for assault and finds that William requires support for his drug addiction and depression.
William attends a support group for young people, which meets weekly to do activities, including community service. The group leaders offer counselling and support group sharing in a confidential space. William also sees a psychologist once a fortnight. As directed by the court, William needs to check in with Michael at least once a week.
During one of the meetings with Michael, William announces that he hates his parents and wants to leave home. When Michael asks how his parents feel about the situation, William says they don't want him to leave, they just want to ruin his life forever. Michael schedules a meeting with William and his parents to discuss the issue. Michael acts as facilitator to negotiate with William and his parents, who want different things: William wants to leave and his parents want him to stay.
William and his father yell at each other, and his mother cries. Michael facilitates the situation by assertively asking everyone to remain calm while they discuss the issue. He says that if their behaviour can't be controlled, he will have to adjourn the meeting. Michael asks that only one person talks at a time and they all listen while somebody speaks. He asks each person to explain their perspective, including what they feel, what they want and what options they think are feasible.
Michael points out that the legal age to leave home is 17, so William can't leave immediately anyway. However, Michael provides a list of safe, affordable housing options for when the time comes, discusses the options with everybody and points out the pros and the cons. If William is serious about his plan, he needs to arrange an income and what he's going to do about school and TAFE.
William's parents are worried that no one will look after him, but they discuss that William has to agree to certain boundaries if he decides to leave. For example, he has to check in with Michael and his parents at least once a week, and turn up for all his other scheduled appointments.
When the outcomes have been agreed upon, Michael records the changes to the plan, which will take effect when William turns 17. He gives a copy to every person involved, and writes a letter to the psychologist and facilitator of the support group.
Q1. Identify the change William wants to make which will impact the case plan.
Q2. Nominate the process used to negotiate changes in the plan.
Q3. Explain how family structure and dynamics affect the negotiations.
Q4. Explain how communication styles affect the negotiations.
Q5. Explain how Michael, the case manager, identified and gained agreement on role boundaries.
Q6. Identify the skills Michael used to facilitate the group discussion and support participants to engage in information sharing.
Q7. Explain how Michael applied legislative requirements to the case.
Q8. Identify how Michael demonstrated skills in the following:
- Defining boundaries
- Planning and goal setting
- Facilitation
- Assertion
- Interpersonal and communication skills