Case study

Chantelle is an assertive, articulate woman. She is 30 and has a 15 year old daughter - Rianna; Danny who is 7 years old and Zidane who is 15 months old. They rent a three bedroomed house. The three children have different fathers that are all regularly involved in their childrens' lives but none of the fathers live in the family home. Chantelle has financial support from each of them and is flexible with specific contact arrangements.

Upon arrival for the visit Rianna is at home texting on her phone and babysitting for Zidane. You see Zidane pulling himself up on the furniture, and babbling to himself as he picks up a toy brick to chew. Danny is at school.

When Chantelle arrives a few minutes later, Zidane goes straight to Chantelle and grabs her legs. She picks him up; he squirms, holds his arms up straight, arches his back and squeals. As Chantelle puts him down, Rianna says "Right, I'm off. Do you want anything?" Chantelle gives her some money and says "What time are you back?" Rianna shrugs her shoulders, gives the baby a kiss, and goes off, still texting on her phone.

As Rianna leaves the house, Zidane cries and attempts to follow her. Chantelle appears not to notice this until you ask Chantelle if Zidane is OK, at which point Chantelle reaches to pick up Zidane who sits on her knee but continues to cry.

Genograph - click on the circles below to learn more about the family.

Danny Chantelle starts telling you that Danny's teachers have found Danny can't settle on a task and is easily distracted. At home, he has difficulty going to sleep and then wakes early. Last week he said he wanted to live with his Dad.

Chantelle - says she is in debt and worries she will have to find a cheaper house to rent and says she's worried this will uproot the children. She volunteers that she knows people judge her for being a single parent with kids that have different Dads. It's important for her to be in control; the kids have always had routines for eating and sleeping and helping with household chores. It is very important to her that the house is spotlessly clean and well organised. She provides the children with up to date electronic equipment as she doesn't want them to be socially excluded. Chantelle presents as intelligent but left school without qualifications when she got pregnant with Rianna. Rianna asks but Chantelle finds if difficult to help her with some exam subjects. She works flexible hours selling a range of makeup and her Dad watches the children when she is at work.

Thomas - is Chantelle's father who has always been around in the children's lives and helps out when asked.

Rhianna did very well academically at primary school and now she seems to be losing interest. Chantelle feels that Rianna isn't making an effort because she's lazy although Rianna says it's really hard to do as well as the others. Rianna has begun to experience male attention and has spoken to mum about bringing home a boy.

Zidane is very mobile; able to say 'milk' and 'mum-mum' but nothing else is clear. He usually has a cold and a barking cough at night. He only likes mushy food and is still fed with a spoon by Chantelle or Rianna. There is no eye contact with you on your visits, but usually will sit on Mum's knee and mouth a book. During the visit, he repeatedly gets up and down from Chantelle's knee and refuses to be held by her. He doesn't settle with any of the toys available. He appears to be miserable and whines throughout the visit.