Critically examine how systems/ecological approaches be applied to understand the circumstances of Erica and her family

Introduction to Case Study

Erica (age 30 years) has contacted a local community centre. Erica says she lives with her partner James (Jim) and two children Jemima (13) and Isaac (4). Jim works full time in the building industry and the family relocated from interstate 8 months ago so he could take up a better paid job on the recommendation of a friend who was already living here. All of their extended family are back in their home town.

A couple of months ago, Jim was charged by the police for driving under the influence of alcohol and now his driver's licence has been suspended for 12 months following a court appearance. Erica said she has found out Jim has been having problems at work. They can't afford for him to lose his job and he has been spending a lot of the family budget going out and drinking with friends on the weekends. Erica has a background working in retail and administration but hasn't been working for some time as she wanted to settle the kids in after the move and now Jemima has just changed schools again and Isaac has started pre-school.

She has noticed Jim is often frustrated with the kids and things are tense at home. Erica said she didn't really want to tell anyone about their problems, but she spoke to her neighbour about what has been happening when they noticed she looked down and said they had heard her arguing again with Jim last night. They gave her the name of the Centre and said they had used this service when they needed help and found it useful.

Word count: 500

APA style referencing

Minimum of 3 references

Module 4 Learning Activity

Due date: 14th May 2020 (Thursday)

Case Study continued: Working with the family (500 words, 10%)

Question:

Consider everything you have learnt about Erica and her family to date. Critically examine how systems/ecological approaches be applied to understand the circumstances of Erica and her family. How could these theories guide your practice in this case?

Suggested references:

Hepworth, D., Rooney, R., Rooney, G., Strom-Gottfried, K. (2013) Direct social work practice: Theory and skills. Cengage Learning.

Payne, M (2014) Modern Social Work Theory Palgrave MacMillan

Chapter 7 ‘Systems and Ecological Perspectives’ (Page 184-211)

Connolly, M., & Harms, L. (2015). Systems theories (Chapter 3), Connolly, M. & Harms, L. (2015) Social work: From theory to practice (Second ed.). Cambridge ; Port Melbourne, vic.: Cambridge university press.

Howe, D. (2009) Systemic and ecological approaches (Chapter 14). A brief introduction to social work theory. Basingstoke. England

Johnson, J & Grant, G. (2007) A multi-systemic approach to practice (Chapter 1) - Note this is located in e-readings for SWK302

Roberts, J., Abu‐Baker, K., Diez Fernández, C., Chong Garcia, N., Fredman, G., Kamya, H., … Zevallos Vega, R. (2014). Up Close: Family Therapy Challenges and Innovations Around the World. Family Process, 53(3), 544-576. DOI: 10.1111/famp.12093

https://onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.cdu.edu.au/doi/full/10.1111/famp.12093

Tudge, J., Mokrova, I., Hatfield, B., & Karnik, R. (2009). Uses and Misuses of Bronfenbrenner's Bioecological Theory of Human Development. Journal of Family Theory & Review, 1(4), 198-210. http://ezproxy.cdu.edu.au/login?url=http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1756-2589.2009.00026.x/full