Question
Answered step-by-step
jmccombs143
Scenario: You are a social work intern placed at a high school….
Scenario:
You are a social work intern placed at a high school. You receive a referral to meet with a 15-year-old female student named Abby. The referral was made by Abby’s homeroom teacher, who has several concerns about her. The teacher states Abby has missed several days of school. When she is there, she seems disinterested in classwork and focuses on socializing with her peers. She has been caught using vape pens a few different times, which she claims she has found in her neighborhood. She is failing all her classes except art. She is a good artist and will make up work she misses in that class, as it is often something she enjoys.
You call Abby’s mom, Beth, to obtain parental permission to meet with Abby. Beth has been inconsistent in her responses to calls from the school, but you are able to reach her. Beth says she agrees with all the concerns you raise, but she does not know what to do with Abby. She states Abby is disrespectful at home and often sneaks out of the house at night. Beth suspects Abby is developing a relationship with young man in the neighborhood that Beth does not approve of. Beth has threatened to lock Abby out, but worries child services may be asked to intervene, which could result in losing both Abby and her 12-year-old son, Will. Beth reports that while Abby and Will argue often, Will admires his older sister. Beth worries he will eventually follow Abby’s example. She has already caught Will lying to her to protect Abby.
Beth adds that her boyfriend, Diego, lives in the home. Diego has been living with her and the children for 3 years. Diego immigrated from South America and has an expired travel visa. At this time, they can’t afford to marry and file legal paperwork to upgrade his immigration status. Diego wants Beth to be stricter with the children and has tried to discipline them a few times against Beth’s wishes. He was raised in a culture that values male authority figures, and he disagrees vehemently with how Beth disciplines Abby.
Beth, who grew up in a religious household, has decided the way to improve her relationship with Abby is for the family to begin attending religious services weekly. She states that Abby strongly opposes attending these services and has threatened to report Diego to immigration authorities in retaliation.
The call concludes with Beth granting you permission to meet with Abby; she also agrees to bi-weekly phone check-ins with you to see how things are progressing at home.
a Part 1: Script
create a script and be sure to incorporate the following details:
Abby’s Perspective
Incorporate details that illustrate Abby’s thoughts and feelings about recent events in her life (e.g., school, home, romantic partner, brother, etc.).
Application of Interpersonal Communication Skills
Include details demonstrating advance preparation for your session with Abby.
Incorporate at least 2 interpersonal communication skills you would apply to the conversation in your role as Abby’s social worker to help build rapport and establish the client-social worker relationship. Examples include:
Active listening skills (SOLER)
Clarifying (specify the type)
Empathy
Conflict-resolution
Addressing barriers to effective communication
Include at least one detail or action to reflect ethical principles and standards relevant to an initial engagement with a client
