Critically reflect on the case study chosen by your action learning set. You should demonstrate critical exploration of the complexities of contemporary social work practice and professional decision-making, including analysis of the impact of values, ethics and diversity

Susan is an 80-year-old woman who is fiercely independent. Susan worked as a cleaner at the local primary school until she retired 20 years ago. Susan loves her cat “smoky” who she describes as “dog like” in terms of his loyalty and she is a committed vegetarian. Susan used to very sociable in her younger days being a member of local WI and a church goer. Susan was married twice and from her second marriage had a daughter called Rachel. Susan lives alone within a terraced house are rarely goes out since her husband sadly passed away two years ago. Susan and Rachel are estranged from each other. Rachel has her own mental health issues which exacerbates their challenging relationship
Susan has a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and arthritis. Susan was diagnosed under the memory assessment service (MAS) five years ago and placed under GP review. Susan has severe memory issues and is disorientated to time and person. Susan has been reported to leave food for humans for her cat in bowls. Susan goes shopping but does not buy enough food to sustain her. Susan has experienced difficulties within her community. A shop keeper now refuses to serve Susan as he is worried that she will make allegations about him. Many bus drivers have refused to allow her on their bus. The local community police are aware that Susan appears to be at risk in her community due her appearance and behaviour.
Susan has expressed several times to the care workers and the last Social Worker that she does not want to go into a care home.
Rachel does not visit Susan but expresses clear views that she feels Susan should be placed in a care home. Rachel confirms that Susan has always expressed that she does not want to move from her home. Rachel has advised that she will not support Susan within any meetings or assessments.
Susan’s G.P. who knows her well expressed that he feels that Susan should be moved to a care home as soon as possible.
Susan has a care package of a visit of an hour once a day in the morning to support her with her personal care and to also prompt her to take her medication. Susan has been assessed as nil cost for her possible contribution for care support. Susan refuses to engage with the care workers for support.
Susan was referred to Social Services by the care agency for a Care Act (2014) assessment of her social care needs and possible safeguarding. The safeguarding inquiry concludes that while Susan is at risk that it is as a result from longer term issues which would be best dealt with through allocation of a community Social Worker.
The care workers reported their concerns as:
• Susan refuses support with her personal care and day to day tasks.
• Susan is at risk of self-neglect and recorded wearing the same clothes for several days
• Susan has had a fall down the stairs in the last month and there is no equipment within her property
• Susan visits the local shop but buys cat food only and there is minimal food in her fridge and she appears to have lost weight
• Susan visits the bank and writes a cheque for “cash” which can be large amounts
• Susan thinks that she has a lodger in her home who uses her kitchen at night
• Susan has been found to have £800 in loosely her pocket on the street by the Police
Assessment 2: Written Assignment
Following on from the group presentation students will submit a 2,500 word critical reflection with 2 tasks; it will be marked by academic staff and which holds the academic grade for this module. Both tasks must be undertaken in order to meet the learning outcomes.

Task One: Critically reflect on the case study chosen by your action learning set. You should demonstrate critical exploration of the complexities of contemporary social work practice and professional decision-making, including analysis of the impact of values, ethics and diversity (1,500 words). (Learning outcomes 4, 5 & 8)

Task Two: Critically reflect on your own learning & development in relation to collaborative working in health & social care, drawing on your experience of group working in this module and referring to relevant research & literature. Identify future learning needs and how you might address these (1,000 words). (Learning outcomes 6 &7)

The assignment must be submitted via turnitin on or before s

Feedback & provisional grades will be available by as. Please note that all grades available at this time are subject to verification by the Programme Module Board.

Collaborative working is an ongoing, interactive process rather than a discrete set of techniques. It is a central function of Social Work practice and thus a role that practitioners are required to assume routinely. Thus, social work practitioners can be equated to actors in collaborative working, shaping process & outcomes, and being shaped by the process.
For these reasons, we should understand our own contributions and responses to process.

Reflecting on FALS experience offers potential for mining a rich seam of learning about:

• The complexities of interpersonal working (which underpin much collaborative working)
• The often invisible but time-consuming practical/logistical minutiae of much of professional life
• The critical importance of personal/professional responsibility
• Your own strengths/weaknesses (current potential) for effective collaborative working
• Action planning to develop your skills/aptitude for effective collaborative working in future (enhancing potential)

Reflecting on learning & development needs also fits into the requirements for registered social workers to identify and maintain areas for continuing professional development in line with Professional Capabilities Framework and SWE Professional Standards.

Within your Assignment Two: Task 2 –
Put theory around interpersonal working from the teaching and learning from within the workshops and your reading
Find and use research around interpersonal working within health and social care in your essay
Make links to PCF and SWE to interpersonal working
Make links to your own experiences within your FALS
Identify using the PCF and SWE your strengths and areas for development