Reference no: EM133882492

Question 

Carryn is a 26-year-old woman with a diagnosis of bipolar disorder. She has presented at the community services centre where you work asking for money so she can buy much needed medication and food. She is unemployed and says she has not been able to fill her prescription for the medication she uses to treat her bipolar disorder for about two or three months.

You conduct an initial assessment. During this assessment, Carryn tells you she has three children who currently live with their maternal grandmother. They were removed from her care after she was arrested and jailed for charges relating to child neglect and drug possession and use. She continues to tell you that she was released from prison, on parole, 12-months ago and that her parole conditions require her to be compliant with her anti-psychotic medication and to remain drug free. She is adamant she is adhering to the parole conditions and attends the required drug tests, however, on talking with her, you suspect Carryn could be under the influence of cannabis and can smell alcohol on her breath. You are also mindful, that Carryn came into the centre asking for money so that she can fill her prescription. There is 6-months remaining on her parole period.

Carryn discloses that the father of her youngest child is in jail for murder. He was sentenced to 17 years in prison, with a non-parole period of 12 years. The father of her other two children is also in jail, his charges relate to possessing and selling prohibited drugs. He is expected to be released in approximately three years.

Her children are aged four, six and seven.

She is now pregnant with her fourth child. The father of her fourth child, her current boyfriend, Jaxon, is struggling with drug addiction. He uses crystal meth, the same drug Carryn was imprisoned for possessing and using. Jaxon is the brother of her former cell mate. Carryn was introduced to him whilst incarcerated and, on release, reconnected with him through social media.

Since getting out of prison, Carryn has lived with her uncle in nearby public housing. He is supportive, but she wants housing of her own so she can move in with Jaxon, and have her children returned to her care. She tells you she has not seen her children in several years and has only spoken with them on the phone a few times. She confesses there is a 'no access' parenting court order in place.

She continues to tell you she has an estranged relationship with her mother, and even though her mother lives in the same suburb and is caring for her children, she has not seen or spoken to her in years. She appears agitated when talking about this and continues to say it was her mother who first reported her to the police, resulting in her arrest and conviction. She is not happy about this. When asked about her father, she tells you he lives interstate and is not actively involved in her life, only her brother's life, who she also has no contact with.

Carryn explains of late, that she finds it hard to sleep at night causing her to feel very tired during the day. She dismisses this as being pregnant.

Question 

2. Use the table provided to identify the supports Carryn already has in her life, including natural, family, peer and formal.

Type of support Individual
Natural
Family
Peer
Formal

3. Identify the supports missing or needing strengthening for Carryn to live an empowered life. Identify at least eight different supports in your answer.

4. Based on what Carryn has told you, what would you discuss with the service providers to ensure their programs/services meet her needs and a collaborative approach to her care and treatment is undertaken? Identify at least five points to be discussed in your answer.

5. It is apparent from the scenario, Carryn requires a complex network of care and treatment options, and service providers. Carry out online research, then discuss the advantages of adopting a multidisciplinary approach in response to Carryn's needs and situation. Identify five advantages in your answer.