Being A Social Worker Essay

Being A Social Worker Essay
People who work as social workers help residents who live in their community deal with a variety of intractable issues such as child abuse and drug
abuse, instruct them how to obtain and utilize some community resources (such as housing and childcare) and ensure these welfare programs really
work well. There are different types of social workers. For example, social workers who specifically work with children and family, those who
specifically cope with mental health and substance abuse, and others who work with refugees. In general, the minimum requirement of being a social
worker in terms of educational background is having a Bachelor's Degree in Social Work (BSW). However, the educational level needed also depends
on the specific type of the social...show more content...
However, the work environment varies in terms of types of the social workers. For instance, some social workers engage in individual family
services while others work in state governments or hospitals. Working conditions also depend on the type of social workers. For example, school
social workers often have to travel to visit many school districts to complete their assignment in person while case workers who are charge of Food
Stamp and Medicaid do not need to do so. The challenges that most of social workers are subject to are tremendous caseloads and shortage of staff.
In addition, the job does not have particular physical demands. Most social workers work full time and even they don't have fixed day–offs. That is,
sometimes they have to work on weekends and holidays to meet some clients' need. The median annual wage of social workers in 2016 is 46,890
dollars. The annual wage also varies for different kind of social workers. For example, in 2016 social workers who work at hospitals, state, local and
private earn 57,650 dollars while those who work at individual and family services earn 39,260
Get more content on HelpWriting.net

Self-Care in the Social Work Profession Essay
Social workers deal with intense situations daily. It is important that social workers are aware of how they are affected by these interactions. Priscilla
Dass–Brailsford explains in her book, that countertransference, vicarious trauma (VT), secondary traumatic stress, compassion fatigue and satisfaction,
and burnout are all different ways that counselors can be affected (Dass–Brailsford, 2007). This is where it is important for social workers to have a
plan of self–care and stress management resources to use. Countertransference first introduced by Freud, "as a therapist's unconscious reaction to a
patient's transference" (Dass–Brailsford, pg. 293, 2007). This concept has since become known as a normal emotional reaction to a client....show more
content...
The therapist will eventually start taking on the client's trauma as his or her own. Symptoms for compassion fatigue and vicarious trauma are
equivalent (Dass–Brailsford, 2007). This may take longer for the therapist to realize what is happening but it is a quicker recovery than burnout. Radey
and Figley (2007) discuss in their article compassion satisfaction. Compassion satisfaction can happen when therapist put their resources to use and do
not let the trauma of the their clients overcome them. The authors say three things will help them have compassion satisfaction and they are increasing
positive affect, increasing resources to manage stress, and increasing self–care (Radey & Figley, 2007). Burnout is a gradual onset with symptoms
coming on over time slowly. Burnout symptoms may include physical exhaustion, hopelessness, negative self–concept, having difficulty leaving home,
and inability to concentrate are just some of the symptoms. Due to the gradual onset of symptoms, it is often hard to detect early (Dass–Brailsford,
2007). In McCann and Pearlman's article they discuss burnout as a, "psychological strain from working with difficult populations" (McCann &
Pearlman, 1990). These are very important for therapist to be aware that they may happen during their career. It can affect everyone involved social
worker, client, and the practice of social work. "Too often we focus on disorders, psychopathology,

My Experience As A Social Worker
Since my experience as a Social Worker has mainly been focused with the youth population, during the course of my career I had to develop very
creative skills to engage such population. They experienced inevitable unremitting stress, such as poverty, failing education and exposure to
community and interpersonal violence, being aware or pay attention to a task, was very difficult to them. I have done my work with a lot a passion,
but since I started the CMF Program, I gained a level of awareness that also gave me a much needed compassionate space for my own suffer and made
me get closer to my identity and purpose. I realized that presence is cultivated by practicing being mindful in the smallest occasion, being connected
with intention and always requesting an invitation to create a space where relationships and connections occur. It's about the quality of our attention,
and the quality of our thoughts. Without being aware, we create and reproduce structures of domination and biases, by blocking personal growth and
continuing marginalization. I have worked on a very real communication, not patronizing my ideas, or hide my weakness. I try vigilantly to praise and
appreciate the common human sensitivity, and have an appreciation to see the how the awareness development occurs on the participants that come to
my meetings. I have refreshed my skills as a facilitator by always paying attention on how I make my presence to others. I have tried to meet my
clients, friends,

Essay On Social Workers
Social workers may work toward asking, why these 19 states are legalized, but the other states are not?
In the end, a social workers have two important things on his/her agenda. One, is providing the necessities and information to foster children. The
goal is to teach them how to cope and with the older children, how to live on their own. Second, finding a foster or adoptive home, even if it's with a
same–gender couple. There is a critical performance that social workers can play in advancing full legal rights of their LGBT clients (Montero,
2015). In terms of direct practice, there has been a numerous amount of literature on best practice to address the needs for the LGBT community.
Social workers, may provide research as to why some states have legalized only one form of same–gender adoption and other states are different
(Montero, 2015). Research has been reported that there is no difference in the outcome of children raised by same–gender or heterosexual parents.
More so, social worker are taking this information and using it for the...show more content...
Adolescent kids are aging out of the foster care system, scared, and not knowing what their future will hold. Meanwhile, there are laws that restrict gays
from fostering and adopting. The same–gender community continues to fight for the same rights in foster and adoption as any other couple. However,
Social workers play a major role in helping the gay community fight for their rights. They are working every day to provide children with homes and
encourage same–gender foster and adoption. All in all, every child deserves a chance to be fostered or adopted out and restricting the gay community
is not hurting anyone but that child. I think we should put our own values aside and think about what is best for the children without homes. Every
child has the right to be loved and a law should not be able to restrict same–gender couples to give that

The Role of a Social Worker Essay
The role of a social worker
What is a social work? "Social work is a profession which promotes social change and problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment
and liberation of people to enhance wellbeing. Utilizing theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the point where
people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work". (Understanding Social work, Neil
Thompson, 2005, page 13, 2nd Edition)
Social work is recognized as a specialist profession with a sustainable universal value, expertise and knowledge foundation. Over many years the social
work services have provided these facilities to vulnerable individuals which...show more content...
If the social worker is unable to do this then the results can be detrimental to the service user/s and the social worker. They also have the task of
providing services to meet established needs or to alleviate dangerous or inadequate circumstances and ensuring that they have done so, correctly. They
also have to ensure that they have not falsely accused someone or assessed a case or further more even provided the wrong/incorrect service. They also
have to provide reports to the Justice System (The Court), to help in ascertaining the most useful outcome.
In some circumstances during their career, a Social Workers will have to investigate high risk level families that have an open case against them, as
part of their case files. Once a court order has been granted, the Social worker then has the power and the duty to intervene and remove the child. One
would then believe that the child is safe, secure and away from the abuse and neglect he suffered. However; the Social workers aspiration is to, in
some cases reconcile the family and to keep the child in the family home. The society can not understand some of the methods that are used by the
Social workers and this particular method highlighted above is one that cannot be comprehended by many.
This then leaves the Social worker open to more criticism, as this method of putting the child back into the family home, collides with the Social
Worker's role and function. Which

A Career as a Social Worker Essay
A social worker has a very important job. Social workers help children and families in need of food, homes, and health care. They help children
have a brighter future. There are many different types of social work. There are mental health, child and family, elementary, and high school social
workers. There are advantages to being a social worker. One example is social workers get to save children. They take the child or children out of an
abusive home, weather that is mental abuse, or physical abuse. Social workers also find ways to help the family if they have an illness and can not
take care of the child or children, or have a problem with drugs or alcohol and are unfit to care for the child or children. The social...show more content...
Even on rare occasions, that the child is being abused as the social worker is in the home, they may need to make a decision to weather or not to
take affirmative action and take the child out of the home right then in that moment, or wait. Also when becoming a social worker, the job will
require that everyone who is involved in the situation is receiving help. According to the Child Care Careers book this may include giving
individual help to every person in the situation. Such as, if the mother is a drug addict, she may require some rehab. Or if the father is very ill, he
will need medical attention. Or if the parent(s) and a little insane or have brain trouble, they might need to go to an insane asylum. Every person
involved in the situation needs individual "game plans". One treatment does not fit all. Each individual person has a specific plan to help them with
the problem he or she may have. This may include medicine, medical attention, schooling, or even jail. For the child this might include schooling,
medical attention, or even foster homes. To be in this field of work, a proper education is required. The Child Care Career Book says "a masters degree
in social work is needed if this person would like to go into the mental health, research, or supervisory positions". It also states that, "A doctorate id
required for teaching and desirable for some research and administrative jobs". Also a social worker at my school said

Social Work And Social Work
The Common and Separate Ground On the first page of Keith–Lucas's, So You Want to be a Social Worker he makes note of how Christianity and
social work share a lot of the same values, because of this the practice of social work can be viewed as a form of ministry. For example, most social
workers, no matter their religion believe that all people have worth, and see a great importance in the showing of understanding and kindness towards
them. Through my studies in APS 101, at Redeemer University College, I have learned that social work was brought up by the Church; I never knew
of this relationship. This new knowledge makes me eager to learn more about the field, and the ways in which I can use it to serve not only my
neighbors, but God himself, through its missionary characteristics. This text has shown me that my beliefs impact the way I see the world, the people
in it, and that my thoughts and actions are inevitably affected by them. As I move deeper into my studies, I am learning the importance of this, and of
bringing my whole self into whatever situations I face. Societal values are constantly changing, but Christian values remain firm, as they are planted
with biblical roots (Keith–Lucas, 1987, p.3).
Social Work and Christian Beliefs I now understand that the conflicting beliefs, under the blanket of Christianity can be divided into three categories.
The first are the primary beliefs, these are foundational and include events, such as God creating the world and

Social Work Practice Framework
Intro
1.Working in the human services field, it is important to understand one's own practice framework.
2.A practice framework helps the worker articulate which theories or lenses they use in practice, in order to better understand how they interpret
information and make decisions.
3.Elements such as values, ideologies, theories, human rights & social justice issues can all be incorporated into a worker's personal practice framework.
4.In this paper I will explore each of these areas in order to define my own personal practice framework, as well as looking at how the elements I have
chosen fit within the social work field.
5.I will then list areas I have identified as my own personal weak points for further development.
6.
7....show more content...
Values are often influenced by different ideologies, so it is important to look at these also.
Ideology
1.De St. Aubin (1996) defines personal ideology as "an individual's unique philosophy of how life should be lived and of what forces influence human
living".
2.Our Ideologies influence our thinking which then influences our behaviour (Connolly & Harms, 2013), so it is important to understand our
ideological positioning.
3.A person's ideology is influenced by their socialisation, mine was heavily influenced by my family.
4.While I was brought up by a strict Christian mother, and still carry many of the values and beliefs from that religion, I have learnt from my father to
me more of an omnist.
5.While he is a Christian also, he has never talked down another religion, he has taught me that all religions have worth and that mots share similar
values, such as treating others the way that you would like them to treat you.
6.I think that the majority of my values, such as respect, compassion, empathy etc. have been influenced and came about from these religious ideologies.
7.Ideologies not only influence our values, but also "our interpretation of the world and how people interact" (Connolly & Harms, 2013, p.8).

Human Rights And Social Work
Starting with Jane Adams in the early 20th century, human rights were at the forefront of her work with the Hull House which helped establish the
social work profession as we know it (Healy, 2008). The Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the values set and regulated by the NASW share a
common theme focusing on, dignity, self–determination, and improving the quality of life for everyone. Social workers are on the forefront of
advocating for, and creating social change, and justice (NASW, 2015). Social work constantly challenges racism, discrimination and the inhumane
treatment of vulnerable people.
Internationally the social work profession attempts to link vulnerable populations with basic needs like, food, healthcare, housing, and equality all
which reflect article 25 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (United Nations, 2014). Social workers wear many hats, and have established
roles in many institutions like hospitals, schools, nursing homes, acting as liaisons between the establishments and individuals who seek their services
(Reichert, 2007).
2. What social work practices might constrain human rights?
The Social work is a profession not only rewards merit, but there is also a monetary gain. The majority of qualified social workers are employed by
local government agencies which can create a conflict of interest because of their obligation, and commitment to their employer. The government
agencies have their own political and financial agenda that can be

Essay On Social Work
Social work is all about understanding and making a difference in people's lives. I am very passionate about actively helping people overcome their
problems and have the best quality of life they possible can. I understand that social work is a challenging occupation; however, I believe I have the
skills and determination to pursue a career in social work. My main curricular interests are in social subjects such as geography and history. I enjoy
finding out about the world and the people.
This year, I have been awarded with a Saltire Award, as I have been involved in a paired reading programme with a student who has reading
difficulties. This experience has significantly enhanced my patience, as I had to understand what she was...show more content...
Alongside this I have also volunteered in my local charity shop. My roles included working in the back room sorting through the donations, ironing
clothes, pricing items. Along with this I worked on the shop floor stacking and sorting shelfs, interacting with customers and working on the tills. This
experience enhanced my people skills greatly as well as boosting my confidence as I was in regular contact with the public.
.....
To allow myself the opportunity to work with people from all stages in life, I volunteer in my local Nursery; Belhaven Nursery School. Throughout
this experience I have recognised the value of routine for young children and the importance of stability. During my time at the nursery I incorporated
many of the skill I gained being a mentor. I came to realise that patience is a virtue and every child has a different background, this will impact the
way a child is managed.
I am an understanding and conscientious person who can handle delicate situations with vulnerable young people. I have developed these skills
throughout my involvement in a local club that helps people that are disabled to become more confident and meet new people. During the course of
my time at Enable Glasgow I worked with a variety

My understanding of the profession of social work is to enhance human well–being and to help meet the basic needs of all society, especially the needs
of the most vulnerable, oppressed, and the needs of the people living in poverty. Social work leading duties are to promote social justice and social
change on behalf of clients. In other words, social work profession, not only accommodate individual internal situations, as far as, client's struggles,
they also work with individual family to examine client's relationship, family history, work environment, community environment, and the structures
and policies that impact the clients in order to identify ways to help address problems or challenges. In additional, social work do not limit their work
to just individuals; they work with individuals, couples, families, groups, neighborhood, communities, and different organizations. According to
National Association of Social Workers, (NASW) "The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values,
embraced by social workers throughout the profession's history, are the foundation of social work's unique purpose and perspective: services, social
justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity and competence." (p. 1) In addition to; being in the social work
profession you will work with three general practice skills, which are Micro skills, Mezzo skills and Macro skills. According to Ashman &

Social Worker Motivation Essay
This paper will explore my motivations that underpin my aspirations to become a social worker in the field of corrections. The social work
profession is one that is both comprehensive and diverse, but is fundamentally founded on the dual obligation to human rights and social justice. This
obligation to assist and improve the wellbeing of others are values that permeate my life and that I can empathize with. Consequently, I am drawn to
this profession as its core values draw parallels with my own. I was raised in a Christian household by my uncle who, though was not a social worker
was an ordained minister who provided counsel and guidance to those who sought help. As a child, I observed the intrinsic benefits he derived from
helping others...show more content...
As a volunteer at the Youth Outreach Programs, I was able to talk to many of the youths and soon realised that many of them suffered from similar
underlying social issues. Many were from poor families and had expressed feelings of discrimination and low self–esteem. Anderson, Bromley, &
Given (2005) attributes criminal behaviour in young people to a range of biological, psychosocial and social factors. While most juveniles 'grow out'
of offending and desist, others become persistent habitual offenders (Skardhamar 2009). Cain (1996) attributes this behaviour to a complex array of
underlying personal and social issues. The list comprises of substance abuse, learning and cognitive difficulties, social inadequacy, feelings of alienation
and disadvantage, loss of self–worth etc. that Cain (1996) believes is conducive to criminal behaviour. I believe that despite personal and social
differences each individual has a unique worth and an ability for positive change. A belief that is supported by the core values and principles
embedded in Social Work Ethical Practice Standards (AASW,2013). This is further supported by AASW Code of Ethics (2010) which states that
"every human being has a unique and inherent equal worth and that every person has a right to wellbeing...". I am interested in working with young
offenders and their families through the process of

Social Work Essay
The social work profession as I understand essentially concerns the desire to help those in need of resources, services, and counsel. I consider the social
work profession to be a passion–driven and providing career. I understand social work to be a profession providing helpful resources to those who
seek assistance from others in various aspects, along with those who do not but can benefit. Being a social work professional means to me providing
services only obtainable by professionals to those deserving in order to guarantee equitability, and providing sufficient counsel to those seeking
professional guidance. I have always been passionate and confident when it comes to helping and giving advice to others, which ultimately interested
me...show more content...
As a child of divorce and verbal abuse who did not have access to any kind of counsel existing outside of those involved, my passion to help children
suffering through these common components of life exceed my passion for anything else in the world. To be able to work in this field of social work
would be the most exhilarating accomplishment of my life.
Throughout my sociology and child and family studies coursework at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette I was constantly enlightened of ways I
could successfully accomplish my ultimate goal to have a career that would allow me to help others. By acquiring an undergraduate degree in
sociology, I realized I would be able to achieve impacting all aspects I am passionate about by furthering my education and pursuing a master's degree
in social work.
I have recently started working as a case manager for a disaster response team which has allowed me to work with people of diversified backgrounds
with varied problems and household situations. When I go to a client's home to be the helping hand they've reached out to, they become family and
they become a friend. Though my job is strictly to assist those with disaster related needs, with disaster comes misfortune in many different aspects of
life. While all my clients need home repairs completed, some of my clients need groceries, and some of them have needed help paying their utility
bills. Other clients may need counselling or childcare but no

Groupwork: Social Work
Groupwork can be defined as a method of social work that is utilised in order to help individuals to enhance their social functioning through
purposeful group experiences and to help cope with their personal group or community problems (Konopka, 1972). The role of groupwork places
emphasis on sharing thoughts, ideas, problems and activities, allowing social action groups for instance, to "empower members to engage in
collective action and planned change efforts to modify particular aspects of their social or physical environment" (Toseland & Rivas, 2014, p. 38;
Pyles, 2009; Staples, 2004). Therefore, reflecting on the processes of groupwork is an essential mechanism for all professionals in order to develop
better communication skills, conflict resolution and enhance future performance. This essay will reflect upon the task group processes that were
conducted this semester, while evaluating my own role within the group and what was learnt working within a small group....show more content...
It was clear from that point forward there were large personalities in the group, which caused friction between the group members. By the third group
meeting on Moodle, one of the group members decided to leave as they felt that no conflicts should be occurring during the planning stage. The
remaining four group members were confused by the departure, as many group projects will often experience conflicts, as it is part of the process (Liu
& Tsai, 2008). On reflection, during the beginning stages of the group's decision–making process our group had similar ideas and opinions and within
the first online group chat; a target group was agreed

The Role Of Social Work Essay
The main goal of Social Work practice is the psychosocial improvement of the individuals within a system and the system where they operate. Social
Work has three different concentrations: Micro practice, Mezzo practice and Macro practice. Micro Practice focuses on individuals and small groups
such as; couples, families and groups. This practice is direct or face to face intervention. Mezzo practice focuses on medium communities, it can be
face to face or indirect practice. And Macro practice focuses on larger systems such as; organizations, institutions, regions and countries. In this paper I
will compare the role of Social Work intervention in Jose's situation, young Hispanic LGBT, and the current situation of the Youth Hispanic LBGT
community from the Micro and Macro practice perspective
In recent years the LGBT community has caused a stir in society. Throughout history homosexuality has been a taboo topic. This community has been
one of the most oppressed by society. Thanks to different social movements and advocates for the equal rights and treatment of the LGBT community
several laws have been implemented. These goal of these laws is to promote LGBT community welfare. However, this has not been enough.
Nowadays, members of the LGBT community still remain victims of discrimination and oppression. Some of the issues they still face are employment
discrimination, social rejection, legal rights and lack of access to quality health services.
Direct Social Work

Essay On Social Work Intervention
Intervention
Social work intervention is the practice of working with people in a different ways supporting them to become more independent. While working
with P I had to develop a professional relationship using a person centred approach. Person centred approached (PCA) was developed by Carl Rogers
(1961) and is psychodynamic approach used when working with people. For PCA to be effective there needs to be three main principles that are I had
to use be understating, give unconditional positive regard and be genuine.
With this family I firstly had to develop an understanding of the support the mother required for change to take place. It was necessary for P to
understand what type of support she required for me to support her to independence....show more content...
Therefore, I was going to have a conversation with P and understand if she was aware of what she was experiencing with her new partner R. In her
new relationship, she identified that she was being emotional and socially isolated. She informed me that R forced her to change her number
restricting her from communicating with her friend, and retracting her social activities preventing her from going out. Therefore, the next time visit I
had I world refer her to a domestic abuse service. Who are more experienced and qualified to provide the level of support that she requires (PCF 7).
Working in partnership is a necessary component of social work intervention and practice (PCF 8). Working with other professional is a necessary
component of intervention which is good practice and providing services for family to become independent (FouchГ©, 2015).
She also made me aware of other circumstances she had experienced with lead me to raise safeguarding concerns with my PS and Children services.
These were: That R controlling behaviour was detrimental to B health conditions due to her heart condition, R emotional abuse is effecting P
psychologically; and R takes B and P is not allowed to know where they have

What I Learned As A Social Worker
The most important tool that I have learned as being a social worker is to meet people where they are. When I learned to separate my own personal
thoughts, I was more successful with building a healthy rapport with clients. I am able to provide a service that best meet their individual needs by
separating their personal values from my own. This past year I have been working with women in the area of mental health and substance abuse. This
is a population that are faced with many challenges in life, not only are they fighting to remain substance free, they are learning to live life on life's
terms. I assist clients with finding resources in their community. It is very important to empower them to learn about the community that they are apart
...show more content...
Well my higher power saw fit to place me in the field of mental illness and substance abuse. My practicum experiences highlighted a special interest in
both fields. These two populations I believe are the most vulnerable. Individuals with mental illness and substance abuse and in many cases dual
diagnosis face many challenges in life. It does not matter what area of social work I enter in the upcoming years, I will have clients that struggle with
one of these illnesses. Individuals seek assistance from social workers for various reasons sometimes ignoring their own mental health and or
substance abuse illness. I myself grew up in a family that chose and still chooses to ignore that mental illness is very prevalent throughout our family
and in many situations lead some to abuse substances. While growing up witnessing these things and also from working with individuals whom
struggle to advance in life, untreated mental illness and substance abuse is a cause of one being ambivalent to

Who Is A Social Worker? Essay
When you hear these two words social worker, what do you think of? How do you define who a social worker is? I'm going to recap what I stated
in the interviews I conducted with my interviewee. My interviewee works for Board of social Services. She is a social work that deals with claims
/ fraud department. Individuals who work in Social Services has the opportunity, to apply their education and caring nature to improve the lives of
others. I had to learn and grow as far as being an individual before I could even come close to helping others. What path led you to the profession? My
path into social work came much later than most, as my time was occupied by life's lessons (dealing with being, abuse, tough affairs, alcohol & drugs).
My teen–age years led me through many challenging moments, I hardly graduated from high school, there were few options available. I went to
work in a warehouse followed by various stops in construction. These work experiences taught me well as it pertained to work ethic, responsibility,
problem solving, and many more lessons. I guess I was tired of wanting help in general and couldn't get it that's when I've decided to grow up and
do what I had to do. I never wanted anyone to go through what I did. At the age of 24 my career of helping others presented itself and I was ready.
The work that I had done up to this point in time had served me well, as I was able to gain so much through learning and growing that came with
overcoming the hardship.
Why

Practicum Experience: A Career As A Social Worker
From a young age, I always knew I wanted to go into a helping profession. Growing up, I frequently came into contact with family members who
suffered from mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder, addictions, and depression. As a young adult I began to gain more insight to what was going on
in my surroundings and decided to further my education in the social work major. In addition to personal experience, I worked with elementary–aged
children in an after–school care program designed for low–income families in my community. I hope to have a very enriching practicum experience.
Throughout my practicum experience I hope to develop the skills I will need to become a professional practicing social worker. I would like to be
supervised and corrected

Being A Social Worker Essay

Recommended

Recommended

More Related Content

Recently uploaded

Recently uploaded (20)

Featured

Featured (20)

Being A Social Worker Essay