A Professional Social Worker And What The Term ' Social Work Essay

Social work is based on respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights(1948) It is therefore of paramount importance that a social work professional should work towards promoting the best interests of individuals and groups in society. I very much recognize the contribution that social work brings to inclusion having worked alongside social workers during the course of my shadowing placement. I possess a real commitment to promote equality which I have had the pleasure of doing in a multitude of different roles. From academic journals as well as my lecture notes I now appreciate the central importance of using the fundamental principles of human rights and equality to underpin my practice, and the inherent need to promote justice in relation with the people I will work.

The Council on Social Work Education was founded in 1952, it represents Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards for all Social Work education in the United States (“CSWE”, 2017). This program provides Social Worker with leadership professional development through quality education. The Council on Social Work Education enhances programs through the United States through National accreditation focusing on faculty development, international collaboration, and advocating for Social Work education and research (“CSWE”, 2017). Their mission is to enhance programs through education for professional practice for individuals, family and community well being, social, economic and justice (“CSWE”, 2017). Such programs are established to ensure the proper education and guidance needed by Social Workers to practice and advocate for those in need. Social Workers must obtain a Baccalaureate and Master’s social work degree to prepare them to become effective responders to meet the needs of others in the community.

There are certain guidelines, expectations and ethical codes to be adhered to in all disciplines in the healthcare system and social work is of no exception to this. The following piece shall explain how the social work discipline requires from its members, that they obtain a professional identity and assimilate this identity not only into their work life but also into an extensive amount of their private life as well. Clients and/or patients have to place an enormous quantity of trust, reliance and dependence into the integrity of the professionals in these fields of practise. The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW) Code of Ethics, (2010). Informs: “The social work profession values honesty, transparency, reliability, empathy, reflective self-awareness, discernment, competence and commitment”. Also: “Members of the social work profession apply knowledge and skills in ways that prioritise the needs of others over their own personal gain”. (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2010). To be indicted of ‘unprofessional’ conduct is a formidable disgracing mechanism and being branded as ‘unprofessional’ would be probably the worst label that could be affixed to a social worker. This would also of the highest probability end in the practitioner being dismissed from duties, if found to be guilty of the offence of ‘professional misconduct’, and then eventually fully, disgracefully discharged. This would also be a

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) has written a code of ethics that serves many purposes. The main purpose is to identify the core ethics and values that provide the foundation for the profession. It details six basic principles for social workers to follow: service, social justice, dignity and worth, human relationships, integrity, and competence (National Association of Social Workers, 1999). The code acts as an ethical guide for students, and those professionals just

The Professional Capabilities Framework developed by the social work reform board and owned by The College of Social Work provides a structure to support the career development of every social worker: from initial social work education, through continuing professional development, towards the role of principal social worker. The framework provides criteria for career progression and opens new career pathways that will allow experienced workers to sustain engagement with the challenges and rewards of practice. Furthermore The PCF applies to all social workers in England (including independent social workers), in all roles and settings and so it is an essential document for all.

The journey towards the attainment of the Bachelor of the social work degree has been an enlightening and educational experience, as the individual is exposed to the realities of many social and political issues in the society. As a student, I ventured into the degree, with minimal insight as to how the degree can influence and shape the way I perceive the social world, and the way I relate these matters to myself. However, throughout my endeavour, which encompasses years of theoretical studies, and two intensive placements at two drastically different organisations, I believe I have accumulated the bare minimal knowledge to possess a solid foundation about the unfairness and inequality that people in disadvantaged conditions face. Social workers are predominantly found in welfare organisations which Howe (as cited in Limber, 2015) suggested largely influences the practice, direction and values of the social worker, and impacts on their ability to act autonomously (Lymbery, 2015). During my placements, there was a dominant theme that frequently stood out and enticed my attention. This was the accepted practice of focusing on the individual’s problem, as opposed to the social problems that existed and the lack of acknowledgement about the social restrictions of the human agency that limited self-determination. The realization that organisations were managed this way was important in ensuring that I made a proactive effort to understand and untangle the reasons behind such

The social work profession was created to promote social justice and change on behalf of clients. (National Association of Social Workers, 2008) Within the code of ethics, the

For social workers, the code describes the standards of professional conduct intended of them by their employers, colleagues, service users, carers and the general public within their day to day work activities. There are six standards which reflects the existing good practice and although they all present to promoting individuals rights in some way. The first relates directly to a social care worker’s responsibility to promote equality, diversity and rights.

As discussed by Williams & Bell (2015), the evolving identity of social work has been continually unclear among the general public and social workers themselves. Theoretically social work practice is thought to have abandoned its original ideals of community focus and collective betterment shifting its concentration to individualistic approaches. Since its inception, beginning with settlement houses and charity organizations in the 19th century, social work practice has endeavored for recognition as a profession in its own right not as a supplement to other professions in a secondary manner such as assisting doctors or lawyers etc.

Other choice is to go from one part to another legislative, unpaid including independent. You can think tuition including lecturing roles or opportunities for scheme work as well as secondments. Therefore, the Health and Care Professions Council (HPC) previously the Health Professions Council, nowadays thinks responsibility for the rule of social workers in England from the General Social Care Council (GSCC) which was put an end to on 31 July 2012. Social workers currently have to meet the HCPC principles of skill which are capability principles related to their area of practice. They have to also meet the principles of conduct, act and beliefs. These are overarching standards that apply to all of the 16 health and care professions HCPC regulates.

Social workers should provide services and represent themselves as competent only within the boundaries of their education, training, license, certification, consultation received, supervised experience, or other relevant professional experience.

The case study demonstrates tension within legislation, and between legislation and social work ethics. Evident in, the Human Rights Act 1998 (HRA98) Article 8 right to respect for private and family life, and Article 3 freedom from torture, inhuman or degrading treatment (Department for Constitutional Affairs, 2006). Relevant to Mr C’s disclosure regarding daughter D. In relation to legal and ethical tensions, the Code of Professional Practice for Social Care (CoPP) stipulates in s.1 respect the views and wishes, and promote the rights and interests, of individuals and carers (Care Council for Wales, 2015). Furthermore, reflected in the Code of Ethics for Social Work principle 2 respect the right to self-determination (British Association of Social Workers, 2012). However, these social work values may feel challenged when applying duties and powers inherent in social work practice. For example, an approved mental health professional

According to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) the social work profession ‘promotes the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance wellbeing. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their

Consequently, in the professional literature, there is a wide gap to be filled in the need for a critical perspective within the profession. We feel that the important contributions made by outside groups- Gay liberation, the women’s movement, mental patients’ union, trade unions and tenants’ associations- reflect lack of confidence in social workers, usually with good reasons. It is not intended to demoralize those social workers who are themselves conditioned and controlled by the very institutional structures, in which they work, but to make them aware of contradictions, and to assist them to develop critical action.

In this essay I will be giving a brief introduction to the history of social work practice, by introducing the laws that contributed to its development. Explaining how the sub divisions divide into specialism 's within the variety of social work settings, using both public and private sectors to show understanding. Also, demonstrate knowledge of different legislation that has been introduced to social work practice over the past 25 years and why it is used in particular areas. Then to finalise using protection issues, how to justify why legislation was used by assessing the likely impact of results.