SWK363 Introduction to and Assessment Framework for Youth Issues Assignment Questions 2026/27 | SUSS

SWK363 Assignment 2026

Friday, 15 May 2026, 4.00 pm – 6.30 pm

Time allowed: 2.5 hours

Please read the case study and answer all of the questions. (Total 100 marks)

Sheena, 19 years old, is a second year student in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). She has been engaging in self-harming behaviours (i.e. wrist slashing) for the last six months. She has been finding it hard to cope with deciding which education and career pathway to follow given the pressure instilled by her parents and her poor academic performance thus far. What added to that stress was her recent break up as her ex-boyfriend had cheated on her. She deems self-harm as a means of relieving the pressure she is experiencing.

Sheena feels that such behaviour is normal in her generation. While she recognises that engaging in self-harm is not a long term solution, it has been an effective means of coping. She is embarrassed to seek treatment, as she worries that “others will find out” and she does not understand why she should require treatment as her self-harm does not result in any significant damage, does not hurt others, and is not illegal.

She has an elder brother who is doing well in University and whom her parents are very proud of. She often feels jealous of her brother. Her circle of friends is small and she does not open up to others easily. Sheena does not want her parents to get a hint that she is self-harming as she had heard family members discuss how embarrassing and unlucky it was to have relatives or friends who had mental health issues. Also, her father had often said that one had to resolve whatever personal or family issues within the family and not embarrass the family by talking about problems with external parties.

Her teacher, having observed Sheena for a period, referred her to your youth agency to have a ‘chat’ as she was concerned seeing the cut marks on her wrist. Sheena had refused to talk to her teacher, but had agreed to the referral.

Question 1

Analyse Sheena’s level of risk using the FIVE (5) areas of competencies of youth.

(30 marks)

Question 2

Examine Sheena’s case and assess the presenting problem using Bronfenbrenner’s ecological model.

(25 marks)

Question 3

Discuss the THREE (3) ethical responsibilities you would apply when helping Sheena.

(15 marks)

Question 4

Appraise THREE (3) elements of the school environment that can have an impact on ‘at-risk’ youth like Sheena.

(30 marks)