Case Studies
Australia
Sophie was a sustained non accidental injuries as a baby and had spent some years in foster care, although her mother was proven not to be involved.
After a number of years her mother married an Australian and moved to Victoria. The concept of case management is well known in Australia, but provision of case management was hard to come by.
The local school she attended were not prepared to make additional provision for her and she was struggling. Behavioural problems were coming to the fore causing disruption within the classroom. Threats of expulsion were made. Neuro-psychology was sourced, combined with the provision of a teaching assistant to enable Sophie when in class.
Behavioural management strategies were drawn up under the guidance of a behavioural therapist in conjunction with her teachers, the appointed teaching assistant, and family. The strategies were implemented by all, providing continuity and bringing about great improvement allowing Sophie to be managed within the normal education system. The only option that was being offered to Sophie prior to this was was a residential placement. This was not a choice that her mother and step father were prepared to consider.
Sophie now attends fulltime education and lives a full and active life within her family unit, who were previously at the point of despair.
The case manager had acted as a facilitator, enabling the positive outcome by identifying need and the appropriate therapist required to bring about change and supporting the implementation of the strategies developed.