Reference no: EM133759971

Case: Aaron is undergoing rehabilitation from a serious motor cycle accident and his support worker Sandro has arrived at Aaron's unit at the usual time to take him down to the gym and rehabilitation centre. Aaron lives alone; he is separated from his wife and two children.

Sandro is surprised to find Aaron sitting at the breakfast table, overdressed for the warm weather in a long-sleeved shirt next to an untouched plate of toast, filing papers into neat pile and making notes. Since he has been supporting Aaron, Sandro usually finds him unshaven in his pyjamas surrounded by dirty plates slugging on cold coffee. Often Aaron just grunts and barely looks up but this morning he greets Sandro in a relaxed manner and tells him he's not quite ready yet as he's been ‘organising his life'. Sandro comments that it's good to see - normally the breakfast table in buried under rubbish and magazines and unopened mail.
‘Well it's not fair to make anyone clean up my junk', Aaron answers.
‘Like who?' Sandro says as he flicks through a scarification magazine. ‘You getting a flatmate in?'
‘No,' says Aaron. ‘It's just time I got things sorted.'
Sandro notices a row of pill jars assembled on the window sill. ‘Tidied up the medicine cabinet too?' he asks.
‘Something like that,' Aaron replies.
‘Seriously,' says Sandro, ‘why the clean-up?'
‘It's just time,' says Aaron matter-of-factly. ‘Kids are coming for their last visit tomorrow, they hate the place messy.'
‘Last visit?' Sandro asks.
‘For a while. The missus is taking them down the coast next week.'
Sandro walks over to the sink and picks up one of the medicine jars. Underneath he finds a razor blade. The label identifies them as sleeping tablets; the jar feels full. So does the next one he picks up.
‘Aaron,' Sandro says, ‘are you going to be here next week, when I come by?'
‘I don't reckon,' says Aaron.
‘You planning to neck all these pills?'
Aaron smiles.
‘You can't do it, mate.' Sandro says.
‘Didn't say I was,' says Aaron.

Sandro picks up all the pill jars from the window sill, as well as the razor blade. He suggests that Aaron try to organise a conversation with his psychologist, rather than doing his rehabilitation session.

What are two signs that indicate Aaron may be considering suicide? (Approx. 25 words that you can present in a bullet point list if you wish). Pills is correct. razor blade is more about self-harm in this scenario. Just put one more sign for this response.

Imagine Aaron suddenly takes out a knife and places the blade against his wrist. What immediate action should Sandro take based on organisation's procedures? (Approx. 20 words that you can present in a bullet point list if you wish). add to this response who would you contact, this is an emergency situation.

jenny's new husband Denis seemed to enjoy the opportunity to be a stepfather to her three children (aged 3, 5 and 6 years) when they first moved in with him. Over the following 18 months though, as Jenny and Denis attempted to have their own child, Denis's behaviour changed. He began limiting Jenny's access to money, took her car keys, and wouldn't pay for the car to be serviced. He started monitoring her use of social media and the web. He also started being aggressive towards her and the children.

Following an incident witnessed by the oldest child, where Denis pushed Jenny's head into a cupboard door, the 6-year-old tells her kindergarten teacher that she is worried at home, that she has seen Denis hurting mummy. She is scared of being hurt by him too. The teacher contacts child protection, and a child protection worker interviews the family. Using an assessment model the worker, Ellen, concludes that the wellbeing and development of the child are being negatively impacted by the family violence.

Ellen makes a separate appointment to discuss the situation with Jenny and verifies that physical and emotional harm is occurring to the children. The worker contacts the local family violence service to refer Jenny and the children. At Jenny's first meeting with the family violence service a comprehensive risk assessment is done and a safety plan created. Jenny discusses options for further support with the family violence service worker, but she is scared of her husband's reaction. Jenny tells Ellen that she is too scared to continue with the service. Ellen talks instead with Jenny about emergency accommodation options.

Jenny does eventually move, with the children, into her sister's house while she decides what steps to take regarding her relationship. She returns to, and leaves, the relationship with Denis three times in one year. The children are provided with a variety of supports, including counselling and group support for the 5 and 6-year-olds. Ellen encourages Jenny to reengage with the local family violence service and is increasingly frustrated that she refuses to do so.

Denis's violence recommences each time Jenny returns, and she eventually calls the police. As both police and the family violence service operate within a consistent risk management framework, Jenny's level of risk is well established and understood by all services involved.

Case planning meetings-attended by Jenny-are held to identify and review support needs, expectations, goals and timelines. Case management responsibility resides with Ellen on behalf of child protection. Ellen organises for the family violence service and the police family violence advisor to also attend the planning meetings, along with Jenny's sister and representatives from the children's school.
Safety plans are developed and kept up to date for everyone.

Question 1: List two ways that Ellen could affirm and strengthen Jenny's links to safety and living. (Approx. 25 words that you can present in a bullet point list if you wish).

Question 2: List two strategies based on enabling thoughts and behaviours that Ellen could use to deal with this immediate crisis. (Approx. 25 words that you can present in a bullet point list if you wish). enabling thoughts and behaviours you need to consider addressing concerns for example: Ellen could address Jenny's concerns about the difficulty of moving out. Ellen could address Jenny's concerns about receiving family violence support and counselling

Question 3: List two signs that Ellen has been affected by this crisis situation and how she could ensure she minimises risk to herself. (Approx. 25 words that you can present in a bullet point list if you wish). you need to consider the following: Ellen is frustrated with Jenny and her choice not to engage family violence support. Ellen organises for many different advisors and supports people to attend planning meetings. Ellen needs to realise that it is Jenny's decision to engage the supports she is comfortable with. All she can do is work within the law and offer her professional opinion.