As you begin to think about termination, specifically the client systems with whom you are working with, what are the possible activities that you could use to facilitate the ending? Next, What are the specific needs of your client systems that you should take into consideration as you plan for the ending? Last, what are the types of endings you are likely to experience at your placement, and what impact will these endings have on you?
Respond to the 2 prompts below:
Prompt 1: As you begin to think about termination, specifically the client systems with whom you are working with, what are the possible activities that you could use to facilitate the ending?
For one of the schools they are having a Renaissance rally. The are opening up the gyms and football fields for activities. This will allow me to terminate things in a more relaxed way since they won’t be in a stressful environment this day. For the other school, it will simply just making an effort to seeing them throughout the day. However, with both schools, I plan on communicated that there are other people in the building looking to help them and specifically naming some people they can seek for help since I will no longer be there.
Next, What are the specific needs of your client systems that you should take into consideration as you plan for the ending?
For dealing with high school students it will be very simply. They just need me to let them know it will be the last time they seem me. They are super relaxed and excited that I am moving on to the next step in my life. The same way I support them, they make an effort to support me and ask how I am doing. They would feel disrespected if I just took off and didn’t say anything. Also, it will go come down to the specific needs for each student. I didn’t help every student with the same issues so, as I mentioned, I will guide them to someone else in the building that they can look to for help in the future.
Last, what are the types of endings you are likely to experience at your placement, and what impact will these endings have on you?
There isn’t really any type of ending as most of them will either be continuing school or moving on to the real world. We have done all we can for these students to make them successful throughout the school year. I simply think they will just miss the relationship as the students and I are very close in age and have lots of casual conversations. This part will also take a toll on me. The biggest thing I looked forward to is building one-on-one relationships with students and now I will no longer have that. However, I plan on always valuing the opportunity I was given and the fact that these students entrusted in me to help them with difficult things in life.
Prompt 2: Next, What are the specific needs of your client systems that you should take into consideration as you plan for the ending?
The specific needs of clients I have the opportunity to work with during my internship are basic needs such as clothing, food, shelter, and transportation. For emotional and cultural needs, interning at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services has allowed me to work with a diverse client system. My clients must receive guidance centered around their cultural and emotional needs. This means being mindful of the emotional impact of change on clients I work with while always remaining culturally sensitive, understanding their barriers, and ensuring that appreciative resources are provided to maintain and ensure their future goals are met.
Last, what are the types of endings you are likely to experience at your placement, and what impact will these endings have on you?
I experienced natural termination at my placement, which occurs when a goal is met (Larkin, 2022, p. 245). Natural terminations are endings that result in the reunification of the family. This means that the family has completed its goals, and the social worker and family feel that the family is ready to terminate services. Forced endings also occur at placement. Forced endings typically occur when the court mandates that the child be placed in a different home to protect the child’s well-being. Terminations’ impact on me ranges from satisfaction to sadness and worry about the unknown future. All of these have made me self-aware and allowed me to acknowledge the importance of emotional self-care.
