, BSW4802
ASSIGNMENT 3 2026
DUE 3 SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1: Engagement Phase Tasks (10 Marks)
Engagement phase task Justification (Why should this task be prioritised for the Naidoo family?)
The scenario indicates that family members appear "emotionally distressed and reluctant to
1. Establish a discuss their concerns openly" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). Building trust and rapport is essential to
professional helping address their resistance and create a safe environment where they can share their challenges.
relationship The social worker must demonstrate empathy, respect, and genuineness to overcome the
family's hesitance (Weyers, 2011, p. 66).
The family indicates they are "uncertain where to seek assistance" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The
2. Clarify the purpose
social worker should clearly explain the role of the social worker, the services offered by the
and nature of the
family welfare organisation, and the nature of the helping process. This reduces anxiety and
intervention
helps the family understand what to expect, addressing their uncertainty (Weyers, 2011, p. 93).
The family is experiencing multiple interrelated challenges including financial strain, marital
3. Assess immediate conflict, and the children's behavioural and academic difficulties (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The social
needs and prioritise worker should identify the most urgent needs—particularly the family's financial crisis—as
concerns unemployment and poverty are pressing impediments requiring immediate attention (Weyers,
2011, p. 97; Annexure 1, p. 398).
Despite their difficulties, the family demonstrates resilience: Rajesh worked for 18 years, Priya is
4. Identify the family's employed part-time, and they have "limited support outside their immediate relatives" (Weyers,
strengths and existing 2011, p. 55). Building on the strengths perspective, the social worker should identify these assets
coping resources to empower the family and develop solutions collaboratively, rather than focusing solely on
deficits (Weyers, 2011, pp. 23-25).
The family appears reluctant and uncertain, suggesting potential feelings of shame, helplessness,
5. Explore the family's
or fear of stigmatisation (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The social worker should explore these feelings
expectations and
and expectations to understand their perspective, address misconceptions, and motivate them
feelings about seeking
towards engagement—activating the "push of discomfort" and "pull of hope" necessary for
help
change (Weyers, 2011, pp. 62-63; Sheafor et al., 1997, p. 129).
, QUESTION 2: Assessment Phase Tasks (10 Marks)
Justification (Why should this task be prioritised before intervention
Assessment phase task
planning?)
The Naidoo family presents with multiple interconnected challenges: unemployment,
financial strain, marital conflict, and children's behavioural and academic difficulties
1. Conduct a (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). A holistic family assessment is essential to understand the full
comprehensive family scope of the family's situation, identify the nature and severity of each impediment,
assessment and determine how these issues interact and compound one another. This prevents
fragmented intervention and ensures all family members' needs are addressed
(Weyers, 2011, pp. 99-101).
Rajesh's unemployment after 18 years of employment represents a significant crisis,
and Priya's part-time income is "insufficient to meet the family's monthly expenses"
2. Assess the family's (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The financial/material domain is a primary impediment that
financial and material must be assessed thoroughly, including the family's income sources, expenditure
needs patterns, debts, eligibility for social grants, and immediate material needs. Without
addressing this "economic cycle of underdevelopment," other interventions may be
ineffective (Weyers, 2011, pp. 41-42, 407; Annexure 1, p. 398).
The family is experiencing significant emotional distress: Rajesh is "withdrawn and
discouraged," Priya feels "overwhelmed," Anika appears "anxious and distracted," and
3. Assess the
Arjun displays "disruptive behaviour" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). Understanding the
psychosocial impact on
psychosocial cycle of underdevelopment—including feelings of powerlessness,
family members
depression, and anxiety—is critical for developing appropriate interventions that
address emotional needs alongside practical ones (Weyers, 2011, pp. 42, 398).
The family indicates they have "limited support outside their immediate relatives"
(Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The assessment must identify existing support networks,
4. Assess the family's potential resources in the community (e.g., extended family, community organisations,
support systems and religious institutions), and gaps in support. This aligns with the strengths
social networks perspective—identifying resources "in interpersonal relationships, culture,
organizational networks and community connections" (Weyers, 2011, p. 23) that can
be mobilised to support the family.
Anika (16) has irregular school attendance and is "anxious and distracted," while Arjun
(11) exhibits "disruptive behaviour at school" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). These indicators
5. Assess the children's suggest potential educational, emotional, and developmental concerns that require
developmental and assessment before intervention planning. The "educational cycle of
educational needs underdevelopment" highlights how educational difficulties can compound poverty
and social dysfunction, making this assessment crucial for preventing long-term
negative outcomes (Weyers, 2011, pp. 45-46).
ASSIGNMENT 3 2026
DUE 3 SEPTEMBER 2026
QUESTION 1: Engagement Phase Tasks (10 Marks)
Engagement phase task Justification (Why should this task be prioritised for the Naidoo family?)
The scenario indicates that family members appear "emotionally distressed and reluctant to
1. Establish a discuss their concerns openly" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). Building trust and rapport is essential to
professional helping address their resistance and create a safe environment where they can share their challenges.
relationship The social worker must demonstrate empathy, respect, and genuineness to overcome the
family's hesitance (Weyers, 2011, p. 66).
The family indicates they are "uncertain where to seek assistance" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The
2. Clarify the purpose
social worker should clearly explain the role of the social worker, the services offered by the
and nature of the
family welfare organisation, and the nature of the helping process. This reduces anxiety and
intervention
helps the family understand what to expect, addressing their uncertainty (Weyers, 2011, p. 93).
The family is experiencing multiple interrelated challenges including financial strain, marital
3. Assess immediate conflict, and the children's behavioural and academic difficulties (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The social
needs and prioritise worker should identify the most urgent needs—particularly the family's financial crisis—as
concerns unemployment and poverty are pressing impediments requiring immediate attention (Weyers,
2011, p. 97; Annexure 1, p. 398).
Despite their difficulties, the family demonstrates resilience: Rajesh worked for 18 years, Priya is
4. Identify the family's employed part-time, and they have "limited support outside their immediate relatives" (Weyers,
strengths and existing 2011, p. 55). Building on the strengths perspective, the social worker should identify these assets
coping resources to empower the family and develop solutions collaboratively, rather than focusing solely on
deficits (Weyers, 2011, pp. 23-25).
The family appears reluctant and uncertain, suggesting potential feelings of shame, helplessness,
5. Explore the family's
or fear of stigmatisation (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The social worker should explore these feelings
expectations and
and expectations to understand their perspective, address misconceptions, and motivate them
feelings about seeking
towards engagement—activating the "push of discomfort" and "pull of hope" necessary for
help
change (Weyers, 2011, pp. 62-63; Sheafor et al., 1997, p. 129).
, QUESTION 2: Assessment Phase Tasks (10 Marks)
Justification (Why should this task be prioritised before intervention
Assessment phase task
planning?)
The Naidoo family presents with multiple interconnected challenges: unemployment,
financial strain, marital conflict, and children's behavioural and academic difficulties
1. Conduct a (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). A holistic family assessment is essential to understand the full
comprehensive family scope of the family's situation, identify the nature and severity of each impediment,
assessment and determine how these issues interact and compound one another. This prevents
fragmented intervention and ensures all family members' needs are addressed
(Weyers, 2011, pp. 99-101).
Rajesh's unemployment after 18 years of employment represents a significant crisis,
and Priya's part-time income is "insufficient to meet the family's monthly expenses"
2. Assess the family's (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The financial/material domain is a primary impediment that
financial and material must be assessed thoroughly, including the family's income sources, expenditure
needs patterns, debts, eligibility for social grants, and immediate material needs. Without
addressing this "economic cycle of underdevelopment," other interventions may be
ineffective (Weyers, 2011, pp. 41-42, 407; Annexure 1, p. 398).
The family is experiencing significant emotional distress: Rajesh is "withdrawn and
discouraged," Priya feels "overwhelmed," Anika appears "anxious and distracted," and
3. Assess the
Arjun displays "disruptive behaviour" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). Understanding the
psychosocial impact on
psychosocial cycle of underdevelopment—including feelings of powerlessness,
family members
depression, and anxiety—is critical for developing appropriate interventions that
address emotional needs alongside practical ones (Weyers, 2011, pp. 42, 398).
The family indicates they have "limited support outside their immediate relatives"
(Weyers, 2011, p. 55). The assessment must identify existing support networks,
4. Assess the family's potential resources in the community (e.g., extended family, community organisations,
support systems and religious institutions), and gaps in support. This aligns with the strengths
social networks perspective—identifying resources "in interpersonal relationships, culture,
organizational networks and community connections" (Weyers, 2011, p. 23) that can
be mobilised to support the family.
Anika (16) has irregular school attendance and is "anxious and distracted," while Arjun
(11) exhibits "disruptive behaviour at school" (Weyers, 2011, p. 55). These indicators
5. Assess the children's suggest potential educational, emotional, and developmental concerns that require
developmental and assessment before intervention planning. The "educational cycle of
educational needs underdevelopment" highlights how educational difficulties can compound poverty
and social dysfunction, making this assessment crucial for preventing long-term
negative outcomes (Weyers, 2011, pp. 45-46).
