Lifecycle Development Assignment -

Learning Outcomes -

• Discuss the different life stages of the life cycle.
• Analyse different needs at different points of the lifecycle.
• Apply theories of lifecycle development.

ASSIGNMENT QUESTION - Please read the scenario and then complete the tasks.

CONTEXT

Supporting families through the lifecycle.

You are a member of a multi-disciplinary team within a social care context.

Your team is caring for a family whose brief history is as follows;

Mother: Died 2 years ago

Father: The main carer for the children since the mother died. Works part time as a delivery driver; he hopes to work full time once Child 2 goes to secondary school. He left his job as a Supermarket Manager 18 months ago due to stress.

Child 1: Aged 15, female. Was attending a local secondary school and was getting good school reports until the last year. Her attendance is not good and her grades are dropping. Previously she had aspirations to attend college after leaving school to study to be a teacher.

She has recently had a baby who was born premature; the baby stayed in hospital for three weeks before she was able to come home. Child 1 has been diagnosed with postnatal depression

Child 2: Aged 9 years, male, attends a local primary school. Grandparent: Paternal grandmother. Age 65, retired and moved into the family home after the children's mother. Husband died 8 years ago; she has had periods of depression since his death.

It has come to the team's attention that the family are struggling to cope. You have been asked to prepare a briefing note for the team on Child 1 and her family.

Your briefing note should be based on the scenario above.

TASKS -

Task 1 - Using the scenario, discuss the stages of life cycle development; include in your discussion a range of factors that may influence the development of the individual family members.

Task 2 - Select TWO family members and analyse their needs at this point of their lifecycle and the potential developmental issues of not having these needs met.

Task 3 - After receiving the support, the family are now coping with the transitions in family life. Apply TWO lifecycle theories that the Multi-Disciplinary Team may have used to understand the family and individuals within the family.

Useful resources -

Beckett C and Taylor H (2016). Human Growth and Development (3rd edition).

McCoyd JLM and Walter CA (2015). Grief and Loss Across the Lifespan: A Biopsychosocial Perspective (2 edition).

Walsh M (2016). Human Lifespan Development: An ABC Guide for Students.