ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a series of case studies. Some of the cases described here have very long histories and several changes of worker. But we have direct knowledge only of the attitudes and events associated with the most recent worker, and we therefore concentrate on these more recent aspects. It is important to remember that all these clients received some appropriate help and all expressed some degree of satisfaction with the service. In many ways, Mrs Good provides an illustration of how sensitive and practical social work help can avert crisis and can contribute to lasting improvements in clients’ circumstances. The social worker had made appropriate attempts to improve David Hampson’s social skills with some success, and had strenuously pursued the possibility of a Camphill Village Trust placement. During fourteen years of continuous child-care interest from social services, the Mrs Northwood family had received a massive investment of time and other resources, but with very little apparent benefit.
