Exercise 8: Step 2

Planning and reviewing progress in records

Remember to jot down any points which you disagree with us about and then discuss them with colleagues.

Naturally, if information has not been collated and analysed, it is difficult to make realistic plans and then review them. It is interesting to note that problems in one area in recording, as in example one, can result in difficulties in other areas of recording.

Example one

Parenting problems

Mother has mental health problems- abused sexually by brother and another male in her childhood - difficulties in counselling. Born in England to parents of Turkish/Cypriot origin. Marital/relationship difficulties
Unable to parent children although says she loves them
Self-harming and thoughts of harming children
House small and cramped conditions - children unable to play outside the front of the house - main road. Garden too small . . .
Physically all the children appear to be developing well. Some evidence of emotional abuse and risk of harm from mother's actions
Extremely well dressed - immaculate clothing
Polite and well-mannered.
Relate well to others
Parents' rigid style of upbringing appears to have some impact on the children's relationships with parents
Eldest child appears too advanced for his age . . . Marital problems of parents also impacts

Plans and Objectives

The Parent

Depression linked to feelings of despair

Overweight prevents some play with children

Counselling and support from agencies

Father to seek employment and claim benefits

The child

Liaise with relevant agencies

Maintain and promote physical and emotional growth

Partnership with parents and education

Assist children to address their identity from cultural point of view

Improvements need to be made

Example two

Parents' Problems

Drug use

History of abandonment and institutional upbringing

Financial/material insufficiency

Inability to prioritise the needs of the children (beyond physical care)

Plans and Objectives

Parents to address attachment issues and recognise avoidant behaviour

Example three

Family and Social Relationships

Child has no contact with natural father. Previous stepfather was alleged to have been physically abusive to him - he is now seeking contact with the other two sibs. Is not good - parent is angry and upset

Plans and Objectives

For the child to be able to communicate his needs in a more acceptable manner and parent to have a greater understanding of child's behaviour and why he does this

Example four

Family and Social Relationships

Child has poor relationship with mother's current partner and relationship with mother and sibs is not good - constant battles and arguments - child displays attention seeking behaviour

Plans and Objectives

For the child to be able to cope with his sibs seeing their stepfather and to develop a better relationship with the mother's partner

Example five

Emotional/Behavioural Development

Child is below average ability - approx. by 2 years - lacks self-care - needs a lot of prompting and persuading. Emotionally immature - mainly in mother's care

Plans and Objectives

Child to be encouraged to develop self-help skills along with his age and develop appropriate behaviour outside the home

Example six

Parents' problems

Mother's mental health - psychosis and paranoia (child focus of delusion - denial*)
Relationship difficulties in marriage
Father's avoidant attachment style - failure to protect - minimisation

Plans and Objectives

Child to be accompanied home when mother ill
To feel safe

* Be careful when using the word 'denial': it can mean either that the person is saying that something did not happen or it can mean that they are using an unconscious psychological mechanism to pretend (to other people or themselves) that something which actually did happen never took place.

Example seven

Identified needs

Just been rehoused after leaving women's refuge, not settled, showing signs of insecurity

Need for diagnostic assessment to identify if behaviours are indeed placing him on autistic continuum

Needs statementing process to begin as school finding it increasingly difficult to maintain him and provide education

Greek but mother has cut all ties with Greece wants son to be brought up to be English. Confused little boy

Intense relationship with mother. Abusive relationship with father - no further contact with father as he has returned to Greece - no extended family ties

Delayed development, little English, basic Greek. Exhibiting behaviours that may be associated with sexual abuse and/or autism. Can feed, clothe himself

Plans and Objectives

For A to come to terms with abuse and be less aggressive to peers
For mother to attend Parenting Classes