Termination of a Client
Termination refers to the act of disengagement from a current relationship or involvement. This is a critical process that should be conducted upon obtaining consent from the involved parties. The psychological aspects of this process should be adequately taken care of to prevent any detrimental effect that may be attributable to this process, such as post-termination stress. A perfect example of a termination scenario is between a mother and her children.
Discussions on termination should be made during the initial agreement process. These discussions should form part of the initial informed consent that is obtained from the client before the initiation of the professional relationship (Johns, 2021). In the case study presented, informed consent should be obtained from the foster home in which Samantha’s children will be placed. The informed consent should highlight the terms for the termination process, time frame and specific goals for the engagement process. Termination can also be initiated when the parties involved mutually agree to it (Lee et al., 2021). The termination process is usually initiated when the expectations of the engagement are surpassed. The significance of having a discussion termination as part of the informed consent is to enable the client to better understand the engagement process’s parameters.
The termination process should be in concert with the ethical considerations guiding the client-social worker relationship. Therefore, ethical values of respect, integrity, and doing good should be observed while introducing termination discussions to the client (Johns, 2021). Respect ensures the dignity of beings is maintained. Doing good will ensure that the workers do what is in the interest of the client and that they don’t put self-interest above the better good. Integrity ensures that the social worker maintains honesty and also respects their relationship with the clients by serving the client what is in their best interest. All these values are important when discussing termination.
Several challenges may be experienced during the termination process. These challenges include anxiety on the client, depression, anger, regression, negative impact on the client’s future considerations on fostering children, and the client’s denial of the process, among others (Gelman et al., 2007). Anxiety may be attributable to the anticipated termination of the relationship between the children and the foster home. On the other hand, denial may be attributable to dissatisfaction in terms of the termination process by the clients. All these factors often confer considerable difficulties in the process of termination.
Termination involves separation or disengagement from a relationship. This process should often form part of the initial agreement. The discussion process should always be in concert with all the ethical provisions of social relationships. Challenges, however, exist that jeopardize this process. The client’s denial is an example of such a challenge.
References
Gelman, C., Fernandez, P., Hausman, N., Miller, S., & Weiner, M. (2007). Challenging Endings: First Year MSW Interns’ Experiences with Forced Termination and Discussion Points for Supervisory Guidance. Clinical Social Work Journal, 35(2), 79-90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10615-007-0076-6
Johns, A. (2021). Nlcsw.ca. Retrieved 9 December 2021, from https://nlcsw.ca/sites/default/files/inline-files/Termination%20of%20the%20Social-Worker%20Client%20Relationship_1.pdf.
Lee, P., Wang, L., & Swift, J. (2021). Clients’ and counselors’ termination decisions and experiences in counseling. Current Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-021-01725-4
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Question
Samantha is a 30-year-old Hispanic female who has just lost custody of her two children (ages 3 and 5). Child Protective Services (CPS) became involved after a neighbor reported concerns of neglect and substance use by Samantha. Samantha confirmed regular use of methamphetamine, though she reported wanting to get help for her children. CPS also found that there was limited food in the home and other safety concerns. The neighbors also reported the children were often outside for extended periods without supervision. The children have temporarily been placed in a foster home.
Using the above vignette, please submit a paper discussing the following:
1)How would you decide when it is time to mention termination to this client?
2)How would you, as the Social Worker, go about introducing termination to this client?
3)What would be some challenges you may experience in the termination process with this client?
https://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/practice/The_Importance_of_Closure/