Bio-psycho-social-spiritual Assessment
This bio-psycho-social-spiritual evaluation approach examines a 17-year-old Metis man Jordan. Jordan’s information includes age, gender, and Metis ethnicity. Psychologically, Jordan feels frustrated, furious, unwanted, and traumatized owing to family abuse. Jordan’s family is described socially. His mother works and cares for his younger siblings, while his father has drinking troubles. Jordan’s street mates are his primary support, but his solicitation and arrest suggest he exploits a friend’s father. Jordan’s Metis Aboriginal background is spiritual. His cultural connection looks tenuous. He dislikes his grandparents since they went to residential schools, and he does not address his spirituality or culture. This evaluation framework highlights Jordan’s familial dynamics, abuse, trauma, substance use, legal involvement, and strained relationship with his Aboriginal heritage.
Jordan has various strengths that can help him. He may communicate his rage and displeasure with his family and trauma. Self-awareness and communication skills can help him heal and flourish. Jordan’s willingness to seek aid from the youth shelter is another strength, as he wants assistance and wants to change. Jordan may be trusted and collaborated with by acknowledging and promoting this proactive step. Jordan survives on the streets by soliciting and being resourceful. Jordan feels heard and understood when he openly shares his feelings and worries in a safe, non-judgmental place. He gains autonomy and self-determination by participating in decision-making, including setting goals and action plans. Building Jordan’s resilience requires recognizing his ability to cope with complex events. Highlighting his resourcefulness can help him choose healthier, more sustainable survival activities. These strengths can help Jordan achieve stability, healing, and well-being.
Jordan needs informal and formal support to meet his diverse demands. First, trauma-informed counseling and therapy would help him cope with the violence and familial turmoil. Therefore, through specialized counseling, Jordan can overcome trauma, learn coping skills, and understand his feelings and experiences. Also, Jordan needs drug and alcohol rehab to conquer his issues. Detoxification, counseling, and support groups can help him break the pattern of substance misuse and restore his life. Jordan needs legal help to navigate the system. A lawyer would protect his rights and secure fair treatment in court. This advocate could advise him and explain his legal rights and duties. These services would help him recover from trauma, combat addiction, and navigate the judicial system, paving the way for a better future.
I would represent Jordan in court to preserve his rights and ensure fairness. I would first acquire all necessary case material and work with him to understand his legal rights and choices. This would help me keep Jordan’s counsel informed of any relevant information. I would also support Jordan emotionally and empower him to speak up in court by helping him understand and support legal measures that account for Jordan’s trauma and torture. This may mean demanding alternative sentencing choices that prioritize rehabilitation and address the underlying conditions causing his solicitation.
Structural difficulties significantly impact Jordan’s experience. Despite his age and documented family violence and neglect, Jordan lacks suitable alternative living alternatives. This shows that the child protection system needs to be strengthened to protect vulnerable youngsters. Jordan’s exploitation by his friend’s father illustrates the necessity for comprehensive prevention and support services for at-risk adolescents. Jordan’s Aboriginal grandparents’ unfavorable perception owing to residential school enrollment highlights Indigenous communities’ intergenerational trauma and systemic injustices. These structural concerns underline the necessity of systemic barriers, cultural healing, and culturally appropriate care for Indigenous youth like Jordan.
Jordan’s issues relate to his Aboriginal heritage. He blames his grandparents for his father’s alcoholism due to intergenerational trauma from residential schools. This shows how historical trauma affects Indigenous families and causes complex difficulties like substance abuse (IDFA, 2012). Jordan’s alienation from his culture and spirituality may worsen his identity crisis. Therefore, recognizing and treating Jordan’s Aboriginal lineage is vital for holistic treatment that addresses his cultural history, identity, and Indigenous youth’s particular issues. Jordan can gain strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging by embracing his ancestry and using culturally sensitive support and healing methods.
Theories
Two social work theories that may apply to Jordan are Attachment Theory and Strength-Based Theory. Each paradigm gives social workers a different perspective on working with Jordan. Attachment Theory helps us understand the importance of early interactions and their impact on development and well-being (Stokes, 2019). In Jordan’s example, an Attachment Theory social worker would prioritize building a secure and trusting relationship (Ives et al., 2020). Therefore, the social worker would create a secure space where Jordan feels understood, supported, and valued to lay the groundwork for therapeutic interventions to address his familial dynamics and trauma (Harms & Connolly, 2019). One challenge with this theory is that the social worker must overcome Jordan’s distrust of adults and fear of vulnerability to implement the Attachment Theory (Ives et al., 2020). Jordan may have lost trust in caretakers and authority figures due to his family’s mistreatment and exploitation (Harms & Connolly, 2019). Therefore, the social worker must show consistency, reliability, and empathy to create a stable bond with Jordan. The strength of attachment theory is that its emphasis on stable attachment can help Jordan heal (Stokes, 2019). A secure attachment relationship can help Jordan process his prior trauma and current challenges. Reflective listening, empathy, and validation can help Jordan establish a more secure internal working model and improve his ability to form healthy connections. By adopting the Attachment Theory, the social worker would understand the importance of early interactions on Jordan’s well-being and seek to create a stable attachment that facilitates healing and growth (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2008). Also, the Canadian Association of Social Workers’ ethical guidelines and professional standards emphasize building trust and improving client well-being (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005).
The strength-Based theory emphasizes people’s strengths, resilience, and resources as the foundation for growth and change (Harms & Connolly, 2019). A social worker using this philosophy would focus on Jordan’s strengths. Jordan’s talents are his capacity to express his feelings, seek support, and persevere (Stokes, 2019). The social worker would use the Strength-Based Theory to highlight and reinforce Jordan’s strengths, encouraging him to grow and change (Harms & Connolly, 2019). The social worker would help Jordan set goals and create action plans based on his talents and resources. This strategy fosters self-efficacy, self-determination, and positivity, boosting Jordan’s agency and motivation to change (Stokes, 2019). Jordan’s case may be challenging to apply Strength-Based Theory if he struggles to recognize his strengths or feels overwhelmed by his circumstances (Ives et al., 2020). Abuse, family difficulties, and exploitative settings may cloud Jordan’s view of his strengths. Therefore, the social worker must provide a supportive and non-judgmental environment to allow Jordan to discover his abilities independently. Despite these limitations, Strength-Based Theory can promote resilience, optimism, and empowerment (Harms & Connolly, 2019). The social worker can help Jordan create a positive self-concept and better coping skills by building on his talents. Jordan’s well-being and resilience may improve with this method. Strength-Based theory also follows the ethical criteria of the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW, 2005). Also, the CASW Code of Ethics stresses recognizing and respecting people’s skills and capacities while helping them achieve their goals (CASW, 2005).
Given Jordan’s willingness to seek help and capacity to express himself, the Strength-Based Theory is a good fit (Ives et al., 2020). Using this strategy, the social worker can empower and inspire Jordan to grow and be resilient. Strength-Based theory emphasizes capitalizing on people’s strengths, resources, and talents to achieve positive change (Harms & Connolly, 2019). Jordan’s social worker can help him recognize and use his strengths, such as articulate communication, seeking help, and resilience (Ives et al., 2020). Jordan’s self-confidence and belief in his ability to overcome obstacles can be boosted by the social worker identifying and supporting these abilities. He grows and becomes resilient through this process. The strengths-based approach respects and values Jordan’s autonomy and unique experiences (Stokes, 2019). Instead of focusing on Jordan’s difficulties, the social worker identifies and praises his talents, making him participate in his growth and improvement. Jordan’s motivation to make positive life changes is increased by this collaborative approach, which fosters ownership, participation, and self-determination. Also, by harnessing his talents, the social worker can help Jordan develop resilience and agency, empowering him to overcome his problems (Stokes, 2019).
Ethical dilemma
Working with a client like Jordan may present ethical dilemmas about confidentiality and reporting. Jordan admitted to unlawful solicitation, which puts him at risk. Therefore, a social worker must resolve this ethical issue while protecting Jordan’s well-being. This ethical problem needs reflexive decision-making (Ives et al., 2020). First, the social worker should consider confidentiality and the ethical obligation to preserve customers’ privacy and trust. The CASW Code of Ethics states that this concept must be balanced with other ethical requirements, such as protecting individuals from harm (CASW, 2005). The social worker should also consider relevant research, ideas, laws, and the Code of Ethics (Ives et al., 2020). The social worker should then consider possibilities and their pros and cons. Still, Jordan’s safety and well-being must be prioritized due to his criminal activities. The social worker should consult colleagues, supervisors, and legal consultants (Ives et al., 2020). Confidentiality may conflict with protecting Jordan in this situation. In client or third-party harm cases, the obligation to protect trumps confidentiality (CASW, 2005). The social worker should report the matter to child protective agencies to protect Jordan.
Social workers should focus on their values, prejudices, and conflicts of interest during decision-making (Ives et al., 2020). The social worker can make ethical and client-centered decisions by acknowledging and addressing these issues. Cultural prejudice may affect social workers. Since Jordan is Aboriginal Metis, the social worker must address preconceived notions, stereotypes, or assumptions about Indigenous populations. Cultural humility and culturally neutral decisions and interventions are necessary. Values influence decision-making too. Therefore, if the social professional strongly opposes unlawful activity, they may report Jordan’s solicitation over confidentially. Knowing these principles allows social workers to assess how they may affect their decisions critically. The social worker may have a conflict of interest if they know Jordan’s case participants, and their objectivity may be affected if they know Jordan’s family or the child protection agency. Therefore, recognizing and addressing these conflicts of interest ensures that social workers function ethically and in the client’s best interests (CASW, 2005).
Reflexive decision-making helps social workers balance ethical ideals. The social worker can make an informed and ethical decision that prioritizes Jordan’s safety while respecting the Code of Ethics by acquiring information, examining possibilities, and weighing the pros and drawbacks.
Discussion Question
How can social workers mitigate prejudices and conflicts of interest while making decisions for clients from varied cultural backgrounds, like Jordan’s Indigenous heritage?
How can social workers use Chapter 3’s reflexive decision-making process to resolve ethical challenges, especially those involving vulnerable kids like Jordan?
What resources and professional supports should social workers use when encountering complex ethical problems like Jordan’s?
How might consulting coworkers, supervisors, or ethics committees improve ethical decision-making?
References
Canadian Association of Social Workers (. (2008). Social Work Scope of Practice. Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW).
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2005). Guidelines for Ethical Practice 2005. Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) Code of Ethics.
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2005). CODE OF ETHICS 2005.
Harms, L., & Connolly, M. (2019). Social work: from theory to practice. Cambridge University Press.
IDFA. (2012). We Were Children [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9daBqAddI_s
Ives, N., Denov, M., & Sussman, T. (2020). Introduction to Social Work in Canada: Histories, Contexts, and Practices (2nd Ed.). Don Mills, ON: Oxford University Press.
Stokes, J. (2019). Social Work Practice in Canada: Knowledge, values, and Skills. Google Books.
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