Social Work Case Study: Safeguarding

Whilst on placement I was assigned a case for a 15 year old boy, R, who was referred by a social worker for anger management. During direct work which incorporated key social work skills, such as being empathetic, non-judgemental and listening, I had established trust with child R and he opened up (Basw, 2012; Basw, 2015). I found out that child R had been forced to attend a school for behaviour problems as he is labelled 'trouble' and scapegoated at home and school. Child R also confided that he aggravates his father so deservedly is regularly severely physically abused by him. Despite making a safeguarding referral, I continued working with child R to help him control his anger with Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) before closing the
My concern was that child R really needed more support now as he is approaching 16 years old; the age where child R does not have the same level of protection from domestic abuse which causes 'serious harm' as child R neither meets the criteria for a child, nor a vulnerable adult (Domestic violence, crimes and victims Act, 2004:c28:p1; 2012:c4:s1). Consequently, I consider preventative work involving Art Therapy would be more productive as through understanding his situation, child R is better equipped to take control of his responses by expressing himself in a healthier way and reducing the likelihood of future
Art can be used to display darker aspects of life which child R finds troubling or upsetting, such as blackness for anger, or monsters for domestic abuse. Child R can also show the positive elements of his life too, such as a close relationship with a supportive significant person, like a teacher. The art child R completes during the course of sessions should appear brighter, stronger and happier as it will map the progress he has made in relation to comprehending his emotions and acceptance of events that he has experienced. Hence, child R may not have noticed the developments he has made, but will be able to observe this change for himself by looking through his work (Nissimov-Nahum,