Assessment 1: Critically examining social work judgment and decision-making in a case.
Critically examining social work judgment and decision-making in a case of child death in South Australia
Word limit/Weighting: 2300 words/55%
Task: Read and analyse the Coroner’s report into the death of Chloe Lee Valentine
Here is the link to coroner report into the death of “Chloe Lee Valentine” you need to read the whole report – because this task can only be attempted with reading this report.
https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/documents/report/inquest-valentine-chloe-lee.pdf
WARNING: This report contains extremely confronting information about the injuries that led to the death of 4-year old Chloe Valentine.
The Coroner makes several enquiries about and findings about social work practice in this case. You are asked to conduct a small-scale analysis of this report, using the steps outlined in The Assessment Guide: Succeeding in this topic. Strictly follow the assessment guide to attempt task.
* You are to identify elements of the report about social work professional judgement and decision-making.
* Comment on your conclusions about whether the recommendations are supported by findings of the Coronial Inquiry.
TASK SUMMARY: HOW TO ATTEMPT THE TASK AND WHAT IS EXPECTED FROM THIS ASSIGNMENT- IMPORTANT TO FOLLOW THE TASK STEPS AS BELOW:
STRICTLY FOLLOW THE ASSESSMENT GUIDE BELOW:
NUMBER ONE: CRITICALLY EXAMINING SOCIAL WORK JUDGMENT AND ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING IN A CASE OF CHILD DEATH IN SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Critically examining social work judgment and decision-making in a case of child death in South Australia
Word limit/Weighting: 2300 words/55%
Task: Read and analyse the Coroner’s report into the death of Chloe Lee Valentine
https://www.childprotection.sa.gov.au/documents/report/inquest-valentine-chloe-lee.pdf
WARNING: this report contains extremely confronting information about the injuries that led to the death of 4-year old Chloe Valentine.
The Coroner makes several enquiries about and findings about social work practice in this case. You are asked to conduct a small-scale analysis of this report, using the steps outlined here. You are to identify elements of the report about social work professional judgement and decision-making. Comment in your conclusions about whether the recommendations are supported by findings of the Coronial Inquiry.
Refer to Banks, S., Nohr, Kirsten, & ProQuest. (2012). Practising social work ethics around the world cases and commentaries. Abingdon [England]; New York: Routledge. (Available online through Flinders Library). Other articles will become available in the early weeks of the semester. For a deeper reading see Sayer, Andrew. (2011). Why Things Matter to People. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (also available online at Flinders Library) and Kennedy, R. (2009). Duty of care in the human services: Mishaps, misdeeds and the law. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press. (Hardcopy in Flinders Library, selected chapters available on FLO in Legato). See also: Hallahan, Lorna, & Wendt, Sarah. (2020). Social Work Registration: Another Opportunity for Discussion. Australian Social Work, 73(2), 217-226.
Link to learning opportunities and outcomes:
This assessment relates to Sequence #1: Minds and Messes in which we aim to come to grips with the compelling ethical challenges in complex human services.
Aim of this assessment: To experiment with some applications of your learnings
The task will assist you to:
• Follow multi-step instructions
• Develop and demonstrate perspectives and skills that will advance a critical, reflective and ethical approach to social work practice
• Assess the values, principles, and competing interests influencing professional practice
• Articulate a high level of understanding of the AASW Code of Ethics (2020)
This work requires 2 moves: Research and Analysis followed by Synthesis and Thesis Presentation: This is a complex task with specific requirements. Please follow this guidance carefully.
Move #1: Requires you to carry out research and analysis which explores the questions presented below.
Move #2: Requires you to produce a synthesis that includes a thesis.
Getting started,Read the Coroner’s report that you are evaluating according to the Reading Three Times Process (see ppt, first lecture: first in summary; second in depth; third to examine how it was written—structure, voice, use of academic and expert sources) so that you know what it contains but you don’t have to decide yet about its strengths and weaknesses. Put it aside for the moment.
Imagine that the document is a dark room. You could go into the dark room and stumble around trying to find out what is in it and in the process arrive at some conclusions which may or may not be accurate. So, what would you do in this situation?
You will bring some sources of light into the room so that you can get a more accurate view of what is there and what it means. Your sources of light are:
Your professional experience, including prior learning, especially in child protection and social work
Your lecture notes and growing understanding of what is happening with social work decision-making and action described in the account as we strive to make sense of what is happening in a person’s life and the population of vulnerable people to whom they belong and their interaction with welfare and health systems and services…shaped by policy, legislation and established practice.
Your reading and research in the literature which constitutes part of the evidence base that you will develop for your ongoing work
The questions (below) that will assist in unlocking meaning in the report.
Move 1: Research and analysisOnce you have familiarised yourself with these (and other) sources you will be able to carry out the tests of the document you are evaluating. Check your work for unsubstantiated opinions and assertions and determine whether they really belong here. Remember, you are learning to approach these issues as a professional