You are a family support worker working with the “Keegan” family three days per week for the past month: Professional Social Care Practice Essay, TUS, Ireland

You are a family support worker working with the “Keegan” family three days per week for the past month. The family composition consists of; Mam Tina, Daughter Regina, Son Miles, and Twin daughters Anna and Ellie.

Mam, Tina is socially isolated and lacks social networks in the area she lives. She moved to the area in October 2021 and is not yet integrated into the community. Tina has proven that she can be a good mother, however, when she is stressed, for example, not taking her medication, her behavior can become erratic and this has a major impact on the relationships with those around her. Tina has struggled with her mental health, in particular with missing mental health appointments. Daughter, Regina’s peer group are older teenagers and there are concerns about the risky behavior that she engages in. Regina can be aggressive with mum when challenged about boundaries and refusing to go to school.

With your support Mam, Tina appears to be coping well and attending all her mental health appointments. There is a morning and night-time routine in place. Which Mam, Tina is implementing to the best of her ability. Mam, Tina has explained that putting in place a curfew for Regina has proved the most difficult and that this has caused tension in their relationship.

During your visit, you notice a change in the language and tone in which they speak with each other. Tina states, “I don’t have the energy to be dealing with her sometimes” and Regina explains “she is always having a go at me like I’m 16 I don’t need all these new rules, she’s off her face if she thinks I’ll be home at 8 pm every night”.

When you arrive one morning this week at 8 am. Mam, Tina is in bed, daughter Regina greets you and explains that her siblings are eating breakfast that she prepared. You speak with mam, Tina and she explains that she has slept in and as she was extremely tired. You note that lunches are not prepared, the twins, Anna and Ellie need to be cleaned and changed and neither Miles nor Regina are prepared for school.

Mam, Tina seems to need prompting to follow through on these tasks. While changing Anna, Mam Tina appears distracted and begins to speak to you “I’m so tired lately, it’s really difficult, there is just so much to do all the time. actually, all is ok, I’m enjoying the new routine”. Mam, Tina brings Miles to school and tries to encourage Regina to go to school, Regina states “I’m not in the mood” and walks out the front door. Mam, Tina does not respond to this.

That night during your visit at 7 pm, Regina greets you and says she has just prepared dinner and leaves the house. Miles is sitting in his school uniform watching TV, Anna and Ellie are in their highchair crying. Mam, Tina comes out of her bedroom and explains that she was taking a nap then immediately follows the bedtime routine and all children are in bed by 8.30 pm, Regina has still not returned home as you leave. Mam Tina, states “not to worry she will be home soon”.

Two days later you arrive at 8 am at a quiet house, you attempted a number of times to contact mam, Tina by phone and have rung the doorbell four times. At 8.20 am Mam, Tina opens the door and explains that everyone has slept in. When inside you hear Anna and Ellie babbling, both girls’ nappies have leaked through their clothes and onto their mattresses. Miles is sitting in bed with a packet of cookies watching his iPad and Regina is not present in her bedroom.

Questions:-

• Demonstrate using an advanced understanding of child protection, any signs or indicators that could be a cause for concern?
• Discuss the pathway responses most suitable to this case?
• Based on evidence-based practice expand on interventions that would best support the Keegan family?