Use the case study Marion Dot and Joe
Using the organisation, worker role and referral information for the case study your task is to:

*Assume you are the case manager in the role described.
*Assume you are following a case management process as described in the generic model in your subject package. In your assessment, discuss how you would apply the overarching and practice functions of the case management model described in this subject, within the organisation and community context information provided. This includes reflective discussion on your approach to practice that focuses on decisions and reasons for practice, the effectiveness of your practice and alternative approaches, skills or techniques (to demonstrate critical thinking).
*Demonstrate a person-centred case management approach to practice.
*Clearly outline and describe the communication and advocacy skills you would use.

Community Context Information: (the context and case study information is fictitious and has been developed for this assessment exercise.)

Echo Valley is a town of 15,000 population surrounded by small mixed farming areas. Much of the local industry is related to agricultural supplies or supports and the general businesses required to support everyday living, like chemist, grocery stores, medical surgery, hairdresser, clothing and shoe stores, several charity shops, church organizations and community health centre etc. There are Department of Human Services – Centrelink and Community Services offices in town that are operated full time. There is also a small hospital and emergency department, with 12 general ward beds and a 20 bed nursing home incorporated into it. There is a medium support retirement village in town of 15 units that has recently been completed. The hospital runs a ‘day care’ program each day for the elderly between 9 am and 3 pm, with bus collection pick up and drop off and a general activity program. There are some private practitioners; physiotherapist, and counsellors. The Department of Ageing Disability and Homecare (ADHC) and the Community Options programme have recently closed. A volunteer meals on wheels program operates three days per week.

There are two local high schools – a public and a Catholic high school. There are also two local public schools, again, a public and Catholic school. School counsellors for the Catholic schools travel from a nearby centre. There is a school counsellor attached to the public schools but they are only available 3 days per week.

The mental health services are provided by a team that is located in another town, Apollos, one hour away. There is a regular public bus service, weekly, to Apollos, leaving Echo Valley at 8 am and returning at 6 pm on a Thursday. A Community Transport service is sometimes available by appointment at a low cost to consumers. The local library has some public computer internet access available.

Echo Valley has some seasonal work available during summer as some of the smaller agricultural farms produce fruit and vegetables and pickers and packers are required. There is also an abattoir in town but it operates intermittently due to fluctuations in market demand.
Rental properties are fairly costly at present because there is a major road reconstruction project occurring nearby and many contract workers have taken medium term leases locally as the project is expected to take 12 – 18 months to complete. There are limited Department of Housing properties available.

There are a number of informal groups in town, like sports clubs, ladies and craft groups, church based organizations and a Rotary Club. The local facilities include several parks, a swimming pool, public library and some good camping areas in the valley area just outside town. There is an increase in tourism often in summer as it is a pretty valley known for good bushwalking and camping opportunities and is located around 2 ½ hours drive from the city.

Much of the local population is of Anglo-Australian descent though with the contract road work, there has been an increase in the cultural mix in the area. Several of the construction workers have relocated their young families to the area with them for the duration of the project.

Organisation, Referral and Worker Role Information
You work full time as a case manager for children and families at the Echo Valley Family Centre, a non-government organisation.

Marion has 3 children and has self referred as she is concerned about her son James’ behavioural outbursts – in the process of discussing this she tells you that she is also a bit worried about the cost of her drinking and would like to try to ‘cut down’ a bit. Joe has been referred to you by the school counsellor as the counsellor believes there are issues needing to be addressed including truancy.

The Echo Valley Family Centre is funded by a range of State government programmes and auspices a range of services including youth drug and alcohol, family and adult counsellors, a child and family service, a part time (2 days per week) Headspace service and an interim service for people with disabilities. You are one of two case managers at the Echo Valley Family Centre and have good links with professionals in other organisations. Appointments with clients are ‘centre based’ for safety reasons.

Case Study – Marion Dot and Joe
Marion is a 33 year old sole parent of three children aged 14 (Joe), 8 (James) and 6 (Shell) years, respectively. Mick, the father of Joe, is an Aboriginal man and is very involved with him since Marion and the children returned to the area and regularly has Joe for contact visits. Jim, the father of the younger two children, is currently in jail for fraud and is not due to be released for another four years. Marion has ended her relationship with Jim except for the children receiving ‘special occasion’ correspondence from him.

Marion moved back to the local area approximately 6 months ago thinking that she might get some help from Joe’s father. She has recently started a relationship with a much older man who stays irregularly with her overnight when he visits town as part of his role in the road construction project occurring in the area. There is some concern (unconfirmed rumours) that this older man (Barry) may present some risk to the children.

Marion has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and is on a disability pension. She is known for drinking fairly heavily on a regular basis, though this is more often at home than out, as she has concerns that “welfare” may become involved if they become aware of how much she drinks each night: it has increased in the last two years, since Jim went to jail. From three or four stubbies most nights of the week, to five or six per night during the week and about that, plus a few cans of bourbon and coke on the weekends. Marion often forgets to take her medication for schizophrenia.

Marion would like to find some sort of work, part time. She used to work in an administrative job before she met Jim but theirs was a domestic violence relationship so she gave up work to ‘keep the peace’. She started drinking regularly while she was with Jim.

Joe has recently started truanting from school and his school marks have suffered. Joe’s father has started to argue with Marion about what ‘she should do’ about this. Marion feels she needs Mick to be involved with Joe and give her a bit of a break but she is feeling stressed about Joe’s school issues and how Mick is pressuring her about it.

James has a mild learning disability and receives some support at school through a teacher’s aide. His behaviour is difficult though as he lashes out when he becomes frustrated by not being able to do homework or not understanding something easily.

Shell is withdrawn and spends a lot of her time playing in her room. She worries a lot about Marion and is often asking Marion if she can make 2 minute noodles or toast for dinner. When Joe is at home, he sometimes helps with getting meals organized but more often lately he is off with friends wandering around town when he is not spending time with Mick.
Marion is good friends with a few women in town that she knew when she lived here before. One lives nearby but the others she doesn’t see often because she doesn’t have a car and it’s a long walk to their homes. The friend nearby has tried to tell Marion that Barry is a ‘bit weird’ and is ‘taking advantage’ of her and not treating her well, but Marion doesn’t want to hear this as she believes Barry is a ‘great bloke’.

Joe likes being in Echo Valley because he gets to spend time with his father, Mick. Mick works as a farm hand on a local farm about 10 km out of town. Mick lives with his girlfriend of two years, Natalie, who works as a nurse at the local hospital. They have a baby, Eliza, who is 15 months old. Joe sometimes wishes he didn’t have another younger sister and could have Mick to himself. Mick doesn’t yell at him like James used to, though he’s noticed Mick arguing with his mum (Marion) a bit lately about stuff at school.

Joe isn’t happy at school though. He has a couple of older boys who are two years ahead of him, that he’s become friends with, but no one in his own Year. The older boys sometimes get an older brother to give them some marijuana and Joe takes some of Marion’s beer and they will meet by the creek for the day instead of going to school, where they’ll drink and smoke. Joe’s teacher yells all the time at the class and reminds him of when James used to yell at his mother at home and sometimes hit her. Joe is also getting teased at school a bit because his skin is ‘darker’ than the other kids – this didn’t happen at the school he came from. He gets angry about this because he thinks his dad, Mick, is great and Mick talks to him about being proud of being Aboriginal, but it’s hard for Joe when he is teased about it at school. Joe is also worried about Marion – she’s often drinking till she’s starting to stumble around or she passes out on the lounge and he’s got to organize the younger kids into baths and bed and often make sure they’ve got something to eat. He doesn’t like this new man his mother is going out with – Barry gives him the creeps so he tries to get out of the house and stay away when Barry’s around.

Rationale
This assessment item allows you to apply case management principles, theory and functions to practice. You need to put yourself in the role of a case manager in a human service agency.
It is important that the marker is able to identify your understanding and application of client centred practice principles and the functions of the generic case management model.
You will find completing at a minimum the following topics helpful before you commence assessment task 2. The topics are located on interact.
• Topic 5: Overarching Functions;
• Topic 6: Integrating community and informal supports;
• Topic 7: Phased functions;
• Topic 8: Organisational dimensions – intra and inter agency;
• Topic 9: Practitioner Roles and Responsibilities ; and
• Topic 10: Diverse Contexts and client groups.
This assessment task is aligned to the following objectives:
• Demonstrate the ability to apply the principles, theories and functions of case management to practice with vulnerable communities and individuals;
• Critique case management systems within agency and community contexts;
• Identify the roles and requisite base of skill, knowledge and theory for practitioners within case management systems; and
• Engage in reflective learning that supports continued professional education.

Your paper will be marked out of 50.

Marking criteria
Marking criteria Assessment Task 2 – Case Study Paper

Student Number:
Criteria HD DI CR PS FL
8.5-10 7.5-8.4 6.5-7.4 5-6.4 0-4.9
Role of Case Manager

/10

Paper contains a thoughtfully structured, detailed argument that is superior in its presentation. Case management role is succinctly and comprehensively described, critiqued and linked to the case study, organisation and community context. Paper contains a thoughtfully structured argument that is meticulously presented. Case management role thoroughly and extensively described, critiqued and linked to the case study, organisation and community context. Paper has a well-structured argument and thorough in its presentation. Case management role described and linked to the case study, organisation and community context. Some critique provided. Paper is clear and structured. Case management role described and linked to the case study, organisation and community context. Role of case manager not clearly explained. Case manager role not clearly linked to the case study.
13.5 – 15 11.5–13 9.5-11 7.5-9 0-7.4
Application of Case Management functions/processes
(including generic model)

/15

Paper contains an outstanding structured argument and is superior in its presentation. It contains a succinct, extensive and thorough analysis of case management functions including the generic model.
There is an outstanding and comprehensive reference list supporting the argument. It strictly abides with the APA referencing style. Minimal or no spelling mistakes or typos. All points closely linked to the case study. An extensively and carefully structured analysis of the related theoretical concepts of case management, including the generic model. There is an extensive reference list and it is related to the argument. It strictly abides with the APA referencing style. There are few spelling mistakes or typos Contains a well-presented structure, analysis and critique of the related theoretical concepts of case management, including the generic model. The argument is well informed by the literature.
It abides strictly with the APA referencing style. There are occasional spelling mistakes or typos. Argument is structured. Application of case management functions and processes described. Some evidence of critiquing of the generic model.
Argument informed by the literature.
Abides with the APA referencing style. Small amount of spelling mistakes or typos. Minimal exploration of case management. Functions and processes not fully explored. Limited or no reference to the generic model.
The answer does not reflect literature about the topic. The argument is poorly structured
13..5-15 11.5- 13 9.5 – 11 7.5- 9 0-7.4
Person-centred case management approach,
with reference to communication skills and advocacy skills
/15 Paper contains a thoughtfully structured argument and is superior in its presentation. It applies a client-centred case management approach to the case study in a detailed, convincing, succinct and outstanding way. Communication and advocacy skills are clearly identified and continuously referred to throughout the paper. There is a superior reflection about how they are applied.
There is an outstanding and comprehensive reference list supporting the argument. It strictly abides with the APA referencing style. Minimal or no spelling mistakes or typos. All points closely linked to the case study. Argument is carefully structured. It applies in an outstanding, extensive and thoughtful way the client-centred case management approach to the case study. Communication and advocacy skills are clearly identified and continuously referred to throughout the paper.
There is an extensive reflection about how they are applied. There is an extensive reference list and it is related to the argument. It strictly abides with the APA referencing style. There are few spelling mistakes or typos Argument is well-structured. It applies and critiques the client-centred case management approach to the case study. Communication and advocacy skills are clearly identified and continuously referred to throughout the paper. The argument is well informed by the literature. It abides strictly with the APA referencing style. There are occasional spelling mistakes or typos. Argument is structured. Presents some critique of the client-centred case management approach and how it applies to the case study. Communication and advocacy skills are clearly identified and continuously referred to throughout the paper.
Argument informed by the literature.
Abides with the APA referencing style. Small amount of spelling mistakes or typos. Limited or no reference to the client-centred case management approach, communication skills or advocacy skills
The answer does not reflect literature about the topic. The argument is poorly structured.
8.5-10 7.5-8.4 6.5-7.4 5-6.4 0-4.9
Presentation and referencing

/10

Presentation
This assignment must include an Introduction, Conclusion, and Reference List [not the same as a Bibliography]. Students should structure the body of their paper using sub headings.Write in whole sentences which should be structured appropriately into paragraphs. Do not use bullet points. Marks will be awarded according to the quality of the analysis in the task about the generic case management model. Proper in-text referencing must be observed; students should check online resources for styles and formatting https://www.csu.edu.au/division/studserv/learning/referencing/index.htm and the APA Guide Summary https://student.csu.edu.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0011/294977/APAReferencingSummary2013.pdf

Please submit as a word document and not as a PDF.

Requirements
You are required to provide an introduction, body and conclusion to your paper. This includes the use of headings to signpost your work clearly.

It is recommended you visit the guidelines on critical thinking and assessment writing checklist under assessment information in the subject outline.

In the role of Case Manager students will use the case study provided to discuss (describe and interpret) the way they would conduct case management practice. They will demonstrate the communication and advocacy skills they bring to the role, discuss the application of the generic case management model with a client centred focus to the client cased study within the organisational context identified. This includes discussion of potential tensions; strengths/limits to approaches.

Unlike usual practice reports, this case study paper will demonstrate how students have applied the concepts and functions of this subject to their practice. This will be evidenced through the content and critical reading/research in particular.

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