A.    Identify the issues that initially concern you about Alicia’s presenting difficulty? (2 marks).

B.    What other people and/or agencies you would consider communicating with when working with Alicia (3 marks). 

C.     What do you think would be the benefits and challenges of working alongside Alicia’s mother? (5 marks).

Alicia is 12 years old. She is the eldest child in a family of three children. Her younger brothers are twins and are ten. She lives with her mother in a small town on the edge of your catchment area.

 

Alicia’s parents had separated when she was five years old. She saw her dad every weekend and had enjoyed this. There had been quite a lot of arguments a couple of years ago, and she was no longer seeing her dad. Alicia is older now and realizes that her dad is a drug user. She has tried to discuss this with her mum but her mum changes the subject.

 

At school, a You Tube video has been shared which showed a fight between two men outside a local supermarket. Alicia recognized that one of the men was her dad. She has mixed emotions about this video, both the content and regarding how her school friends have all seen it. She doesn’t think many people know this is her dad but she isn’t sure that their parents won’t tell them. 

 

As a result of this Alicia is withdrawing from school, and is feeling anxious about being around people. She and her mother have approached Alicia’s teacher who has suggested she talk to someone about this, and they have agreed to meet with you.