MA Social Work

Human Development Module

Smith Family Case Study

Paul Smith is 37 years of age and has two children, Chloe 15 and Henry 5. Paul’s wife
Grace (then 30) and the children’s mother died in a traffic accident five years ago when
thirty-five weeks pregnant with Henry. Paul is unemployed and while he takes
reasonably good practical care of the children, he sometimes leaves Chloe to look after
Henry and pays little attention to himself. The family live in the Local Authority semi-
detached house they have occupied since Grace was pregnant with Chloe.

Chloe attends the local secondary school and until recently was regarded as bright, a
hard worker with potential to do well, but recently has begun to bunk off school, mixing
with an older group from the local college. Paul has not been attending parent’s
evenings and does not respond to letters.

Henry has recently started at the local primary school, but is struggling with the
transition from nursery where he was first placed when he was six months old. He
recently ran away from school and appeared at the nursery a mile away. While Paul
always brings and collects Henry on time he does not engage with staff.

On benefits the local food bank has seen Paul and the children three times in the past
four weeks. The family have been a part of the community since the children were born
but they have only one immediate family member living in the area. Local agencies
have not been involved until now, but following concerns being raised about Chloe’s
peer group activities and Henry running away the secondary school have agreed to host
a meeting.

Grace’s mother Dorothy (68) lives in the next street and has always been supportive of
her son-in-law and grandchildren, making meals, helping with housework, providing
financial help and so forth, but recently she has started to blame Paul for her daughter’s
death. Paul was driving the car when it was hit by a lorry. Dorothy has also started
calling Chloe Grace and telling Henry he should have died instead of his mother. Paul
has broken off all contact.
Assessment
Formative
There will be in-class exercises on Thursday presenting your detailed plan for your case
study. This is designed to help you to identify progress in linking theory to practice
situations. You will receive feedback from your tutor and fellow students.
Summative
The module is assessed by a written case study of 4000 words (100%). There is an
expectation that you will critically reflect on the curriculum content and meet the
assessment criteria set out below.
Assessment Criteria

 Identify and analyse the key developmental issues across the life course for a chosen
individual’s situation.

(while considering the Smith family overall, for instance in relation to poverty,
concentrate on one of the individuals within the case study).

 Demonstrate a critical understanding of psychological, cognitive & social theories

relevant to a key aspect of human development

(apply and critically explore the theories we have discussed and you have
researched).

 Relate these theories to the development of a real person.

(make brief links to real life, either to yourself or someone you know. Possibly
reflect on your own life course. Be very careful to make certain the person’s
anonymity is protected).

 Analyse the developmental needs in the context of the family and the wider social
network.

(consider what the Smith family and the individuals within it need to make
positive change and move forward).

 Identify and explore key factors that influence resilience and mental wellbeing.

 Reference your work!!!!!!!

Hand In 09/12/2019