Case Study

You are at the house of your neighbours who have asked you to babysit for them. They have three children: aged 5yrs, 3yrs and 9 months. Your instructions are to bath the two older children and then read them a bedtime story, getting them into bed no later than 8pm. When you arrive the baby is already asleep and is not expected to wake until the morning. The parents let you know that the children have eaten, have also had their evening snack and should not have anything further to eat or drink before going to bed. You go ahead and bathe the children, read them a story and put them to bed by 8pm as requested and all has gone well. You sit down in front of the television and start to watch your favourite programme but after 15 minutes the children start to call out asking for a biscuit and another story. You go to them and say calmly that they have had all they need and must now go to sleep. The children start to cry and ask for their parents.

1. Consider what you could do and then what you would actually do. Did you come up with the same answer each time? Be very honest with yourself. You may have even been in this situation before; if so, reflect on that time. Put your thoughts in writing so you can analyse your response.

It is rare that there is just one way to respond to a scenario or situation, so do not consider that the responses you have to the above scenario will be judged as right or wrong. Share your scenario with a work colleague or friend and ask them to tell you whether they think you have responded appropriately. Ask them to challenge your response if necessary. You do not need to submit this task for assessment unless asked to do so by your assessor.