Case study
Jill
Social Worker, Care of the Elderly
| 9:15 A+E St Martins Hospital |
| Jim is 78 years old and lives alone. He is taken into hospital
with breathing difficulties and severe disorientation. Jill needs
to find his daughter. After dropping her children off at school,
she goes to speak to the hospital managers. How long will he be
kept in? Why is he still on a trolley in a corridor? |
| 10.30 Angevin Residential Care Centre |
| Jill rings Jim's GP to explain her plans and get clearance. She
visits the centre with Jim's carer and opens negotiations with the
warden for a place for Jim after he is released from hospital. He
will need special care because he has become eccentric and
aggressive. Recently he assaulted the lady next door and she filed
a complaint with the police. |
| 12.00 Police Station |
| Jill meets the desk sergeant and arranges for a police officer
to talk to a local community worker who might be persuaded to
intervene on Jim's behalf and get the neighbour to drop the
charge. |
| 13.30 Follow-up back at office |
| Jill writes up her report and discusses the issue with the team
leader to confirm that the correct procedure has been
followed. |
| 15.30 Monkwearmouth Primary School |
| Jill picks up her two children, returns home and phones Claire
- her job share worker. Being a single mum, she also rings her
mother to ask her to babysit that evening. |
| 19.00 Meeting - Claire |
| Jill meets Claire and briefs her for the following day. Jill
normally works a 3-day week but often has extra work to do.
Tomorrow is a home study day building towards membership of the
British Association of Social Workers (BASW). |
You may also be interested in an interactive resource
produced by the Open University exploring a day in the life of
a social worker:
http://www.open.edu/openlearn/body-mind/social-care/social-work/try-day-the-life-social-worker
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