Case Study

You are caring for a different client this week as your normal client is on holiday. As the weather is sunny and hot you are both wearing t-shirts and shorts. You notice a number of bruises on your client’s upper arms and thighs. When you ask about them, the client says they spent the weekend with a family member who always gets drunk and hits and punches him.

• Is this a cause for concern?
• In this situation, should you keep confidential what the client tells you?
• Would your actions be different if the client were a child, a young person, or a vulnerable adult?

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.