Mary Atieno is a 35-year-old single mother living in Kisumu County. She has three children aged 12, 8, and 4. Mary works part-time at a local market selling vegetables. Her income is irregular, and she often struggles to meet the family’s basic needs such as food, rent, and school fees.

Recently, Mary’s 12-year-old son, Kevin, has been missing school frequently. Teachers report that he seems withdrawn and tired. The local Children’s Officer referred the family to a social worker after a neighbor reported that the children were sometimes left alone for long hours.

Assessment

The social worker conducted home visits and interviews to gather information.
Key findings included:

• The family lives in a one-room rental house with poor sanitation.

• Mary leaves early in the morning and returns late, leaving the older children to care for the youngest.

• The family has no reliable support network; Mary’s relatives live far away.

• Mary reports feeling overwhelmed and sometimes depressed due to financial pressure.

Identified Issues

1. Economic hardship – irregular income and inability to meet basic needs.

2. Child neglect risk – children left unsupervised.

3. Educational challenges – irregular school attendance by Kevin.

4. Emotional stress – Mary’s mental health concerns and lack of support.

   Discussion Questions

   1. What ethical issues might the social worker face in this case?

   2. Which social work principles were applied in this case study?

   3. How can community resources strengthen the intervention process?

   4. What additional measures could be taken to support the children’s wellbeing?