Case study: You are a Community service worker in a small community in country Victoria, where the ABC Food Processing Plant closed down ten months ago causing 400 workers to lose their jobs. There are very limited employment opportunities in the local area as all employment and industry was based around the manufacturing plant.
Gerald, 56, and wife, were both past employees of the ABC food processing Plant. He has just arrived at your organisation to access support. Gerald is convinced he will never work again. He states that he is getting increasingly bad tempered and his wife encouraged him to come today and reach out for support.
Gerald admits he used to enjoy a drink after work; he is now drinking earlier in the day and finding it hard to keep motivated. He is worried about how they will keep up with their bills and both are concerned they may lose their house.
He tells you that he and his wife worked at the ABC Plant in various departments. He worked in processing and packaging and his wife worked in dispatch. He explains that he left school in Year 10 and migrated to Australia, where he gained employment at the ABC Plant and has worked there all of his working life. "What can he do now?" "And at his age?"
They have four children, three boys and one girl, all still live at home and going to school. Even though the Company paid some compensation, all that money has been used to pay rent, bills and other expenses like car loan etc.
PART: Analyzing sociological factors
You need to answer the following questions relating client case study:
1. Identify and explain the impact of 2 relevant social / cultural factors which each client in the role-plays, could be experiencing.
2. Identify which of these social/cultural factors act as social barriers for each client. Social barriers not individual barriers/limitations.
3. Explain how these factors create disadvantage and inequality for the clients.
4. For each client, think of 2 organisations in your area that you could, refer the clients experiencing this type of disadvantage / inequality to, for support.
5. Look at the organisations chosen and report on how they would/ could monitor and review the effectiveness of work provided to this client.
6. Suggest one area of improvement -how could each organisation enhance client outcomes in this area of disadvantage.
7. Identify 3 major social and cultural systems and explain how they impact upon the client's circumstances and life choices/ opportunities (positively or negatively).
8. Research and outline two short term and two long term effects of the disadvantage / inequality the clients' experience and (b). Explain the consequences on clients' lives.
9. Research the effects and consequences of long term unemployment on these clients. Document some statistics and findings.