This essay aims to explore the Smith Family, to critically analyse and evaluate the issues faced by The Smith family (Appendix A) in relation to Early Childhood Interventions (ECI). This essay intends to define the meaning of ECI and the rhetoric surrounding such interventions. Theoretical theories applied to ECI such as the systems theory and Bronfenbrenner’s theory will be discussed and applied to The Smith’s family case study. It will explore ‘family’ and the changing structures and functions in the family. The idea of ‘risk’ and ‘building resilience’ in ECI will be addressed as well as the well-being of the family. Two recommended interventions for the Smith family will be discussed, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy due to Jane’s depression
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Shonkoff and Meisels (2003:XVII) further this definition of ECI by stating it consists of multi-disciplinary services provided to children to promote health and well-being, minimise development delay, supporting disabilities, promote parenting and family functioning. Guarlnick et al. (2005) state that ECI’s reduce a long-term cost to the society for intervening earlier as it increases the likelihood of the family engaging in the societal services. Opportunities for early interventions have still been missed regardless of multi-agency workings shown in one of the most recent case being Daniel Pelka in 2012 in which multiple opportunities to intervene were missed to protect him. (Coventry Safeguarding Children’s Board, 2014). Allen (2011) highlights in his ‘Early Interventions, Next Steps’ report that there are two cultures competing late and early intervention and provides recommendations in his report on how to balance these cultures. The Smith Family’s interventions are going to be implemented due to a CAF referral written by Thomas’ school teacher, this was agreed to by Jane after a meeting at the school; this is an early intervention as Simon has only recently deceased and Jane has only just started to shown signs of …show more content…
Over time family structures have evolved from the traditional nuclear family (which is no longer the majority family structure) but other family structures such as; families with two unmarried parents, single-parent families, same- sex couples with children, foster/adopted families, teenage parent families, grandparents raising grandchildren and joint families (Hunt, 2009). Kellet (2011) suggests that factors affecting this change in family structure are decline in fertility, mortality and life expectancy, divorce, separation, co-habitation and single-parenthood. The way a family functions differs to its structure, the functioning of a family is for example the families values and needs, daily routines, allocation of caretaking tasks, the ways the family relax together (Shonkoff & Meisels, 2000). The Smith Family was a traditional nuclear family before Simon deceased which left Jane, Thomas and Olivia as a single-parent family. The structure of the Smith family has changed and currently it has upset the equilibrium of the functioning of the family but eventually they will function the same with a readjustment of roles because roles and functions are further defined by each family’s own traditions, values and standard which have not changed. (Kyle,
Shonkoff and Meisels (2003:XVII) further this definition of ECI by stating it consists of multi-disciplinary services provided to children to promote health and well-being, minimise development delay, supporting disabilities, promote parenting and family functioning. Guarlnick et al. (2005) state that ECI’s reduce a long-term cost to the society for intervening earlier as it increases the likelihood of the family engaging in the societal services. Opportunities for early interventions have still been missed regardless of multi-agency workings shown in one of the most recent case being Daniel Pelka in 2012 in which multiple opportunities to intervene were missed to protect him. (Coventry Safeguarding Children’s Board, 2014). Allen (2011) highlights in his ‘Early Interventions, Next Steps’ report that there are two cultures competing late and early intervention and provides recommendations in his report on how to balance these cultures. The Smith Family’s interventions are going to be implemented due to a CAF referral written by Thomas’ school teacher, this was agreed to by Jane after a meeting at the school; this is an early intervention as Simon has only recently deceased and Jane has only just started to shown signs of …show more content…
Over time family structures have evolved from the traditional nuclear family (which is no longer the majority family structure) but other family structures such as; families with two unmarried parents, single-parent families, same- sex couples with children, foster/adopted families, teenage parent families, grandparents raising grandchildren and joint families (Hunt, 2009). Kellet (2011) suggests that factors affecting this change in family structure are decline in fertility, mortality and life expectancy, divorce, separation, co-habitation and single-parenthood. The way a family functions differs to its structure, the functioning of a family is for example the families values and needs, daily routines, allocation of caretaking tasks, the ways the family relax together (Shonkoff & Meisels, 2000). The Smith Family was a traditional nuclear family before Simon deceased which left Jane, Thomas and Olivia as a single-parent family. The structure of the Smith family has changed and currently it has upset the equilibrium of the functioning of the family but eventually they will function the same with a readjustment of roles because roles and functions are further defined by each family’s own traditions, values and standard which have not changed. (Kyle,