Microsoft Word - ECE360 AT2 Case Study XXXXXXXXXXdocx
Deakin university – ECE360 Critical issues in safety and child protection
1
Case Study Scenario
Assessment Task 2
Please read through the following case study and critically analyse the scenario, using the unit
materials and your understanding of child safety issues. This case study is to inform the responses
you provide to the AT2 Questions (available as a template on Cloud).
Sophie is a four-year-old girl who attends your preschool. She has a cheery disposition
and explores the learning environment with confidence and enthusiasm. Sophie is very social,
and has several friends that she enjoys playing with. She is quite independent, and is always
eager to assist you at pack up time. Sophie loves the art & craft area, and is always showing you
her wonderful drawings. Listening to stories during group time is something she really likes, and
you have noted that her comprehension and concentration skills seem well above average. You
have a good connection with Sophie, and the relationship has strengthened over the year - she
often says that you’re her favourite friend!
Sophie lives with her Mother, Mandy, and is an only child. Her parents divorced when
she was 3 and she only sees her Father, Bob, during the holidays – visitation became difficult to
a
ange once Bob moved interstate at the start of the year. Mandy and Sophie have a strong
ond, and share a delightful sense of humour and many ho
ies. Mandy is always friendly and
energetic, yet sometimes she appears stressed and often complains that her career is demanding,
often requiring overnight business trips out of town.
Mandy’s new boyfriend, Da
en, cares for Sophie while she is working out of town, and
they are considering living together soon to make life easier. Da
en does the preschool drop off
and pick up when he is caring for Sophie, and he is also friendly. Mandy once confided in you
that Da
en has bi-polar disorder, which is treated with prescribed medication so he manages
quite well, though she said during times of stress her is prone to drinking too much alcohol to
cope. You appreciate that Da
en is very punctual, that he always asks about Sophie’s day and
that he has helped to repair some damaged outdoor equipment during the year.
Deakin university – ECE360 Critical issues in safety and child protection
2
The final term has just begun, and right away you notice some changes in Sophie. She
can’t seem to sit still on the floor during group-time, is angrily rejecting her once close friends,
her drawings of herself have a sad face with no mouth, and she has lapsed into occasional baby
talk. You have watched her wander from one activity to the next unable to focus, and she has
even had a few toileting ‘accidents’ this week.
Each time you attempt to engage with or talk to Sophie she ignores you and stares off into
space. Today you found her crying alone in the bathroom, and when you talk to her she tells you
that Da
en’s tickling games are ‘too hard’ and now it hurts to do ‘wee-wee’. You ask Sophie if
she has told her mother about the tickling games, and she said ‘no’ - she was too scared to tell
her mum because Da
en said it was a ‘their special secret’ and her mum doesn’t love her so she
wouldn’t believe her anyway, and Sophie didn’t want to make her mum go away anymore so she
was trying to be good like Da
en said. Sophie also said that Da
en threatened to hurt her kitten
if she stops playing the tickling games with him . . .
TIP! When reading the case study, look for and highlight the following . . .
• Forms of maltreatment you believe are evident (1 mandated and 1 non-mandated)
• Behavioural and Physical Indicators of each form of maltreatment you suspect
• Possible effects (trauma) of each form of maltreatment (behaviour, learning, social etc)
• Circumstances that put this child at risk of these types of maltreatment
• Grooming techniques that were used
. . . your notes are necessary to appropriately answer AT2 Questions and will also help you to stay
focused when drafting succinct responses