Case Study

A 4-year-old child has been brought by the police and a social worker to your home to be looked after. The child and her parents have been in the country for just a few hours and were found at the airport to have a bundle of drugs hidden within the child’s favourite toy. The parents have been arrested and the child brought to you at very short notice. Due to the drugs being found in the child’s toy it has been confiscated. The child does not speak any English or have any possessions with them. The child is not speaking, seems very tired and is confused and upset.

1. How will you welcome the child?
2. How will you make the child feel secure, gain her trust and calm her down?
3. How will you find out what she can eat, and about her culture and background?
4. How will you communicate with her?
5. How will you integrate her into the family and ensure that she is healthy?

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.