CASE STUDY  (THE CHILD):

Zoe is a three-year-old child. Her local GP has raised concerns about Zoe’s development. Her physical growth appears delayed and falls below the average expected for a child of her age. In addition, she has only recently begun to speak, her language consisting of one-word utterances. Zoe attends a playgroup three times a week and, according to her grandmother, the staff has raised concerns about Zoe’s interactions with them and the other children.

She is withdrawn and has difficulty forming friendships with the other children. Mrs. Flynn gained protective custody of Zoe five months ago from her daughter Lisa. Lisa developed a drug and drink problem in her teens after she ‘fell in with the wrong sort of people’ according to Mrs Flynn. Lisa ran away from home at 16 in response to her family’s attempt to seek treatment for her drug and drink problem.