Barriers In Social Work

The “Grand Challenges for Social Work” are important because they promote: the well-being of people and families, a strong social fabric, and a just society that fights exclusion and marginalization, creating a sense of belonging, promoting trust, and offers pathways for social and economic progress (“American Academy of Social Work & Social Welfare”, 2017). The 12 Grand Challenges help continue the transformation of society through social work. As a social worker, you are put able to make changes in the lives of those who need help, and the presented issue needs help. As stated in the Preamble of the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers, “The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being

Social workers are often on the forefront in the fight against any form of oppression as against the marginalized society. These demanding but oftentimes unappreciated efforts are often addressed through the conscious use of skills and knowledge of the problems being solved against. When such oppression is however committed against them within the organization where they work, the social worker seems to be mum about the situation, or their efforts perhaps are rendered inutile. North America social workers experience this form of oppression within the social service institution. For this reason, I examine the arguments why the social workers need to be aware of the existence of this unique form of oppression. In order to eliminate oppression in the social welfare workplace, the social workers, in their pursuit of social change, must have a competent understanding of the theory around racism and oppression.

Social workers’ commitment to social justice means they want everyone to have a fair and equal opportunity to an assessment. In line with fairness, social workers should tell carers about their right to refuse an assessment as their permission, and not the person receiving care, is needed before the carer’s assessment can commence. In addition, social workers, bound by legislation regarding confidentiality and information sharing, must reserve the carer’s right to privacy whilst uphold their right to a fair hearing. This is achieved by only disclosing carer’s personal details to 3rd parties with consent, unless a safeguarding concern arises.

Human service workers act as a liaison between clients in need and the agencies clients seek to obtain help from, and while human service workers strive to provide services in an adequate and timely manner this is not always possible. Human service workers are human therefore there can be a large margin of error. All human service agencies are subject to barriers that prevent perfect service from being rendered. While certain barriers do exist in the human

Professional boundaries are very important at my agency. At SOAR we regularly meet with clients, health professionals, and other social workers. We are working with people who struggle with homelessness, mental illnesses, medical impairments, and/or substance use disorders, so it is important to build rapport, and act in a trustworthy and responsible manner.

Client reported his willingness to seek psychiatric help through the VA. Client is open to receiving MH services that can help him find better coping strageties and to address his PTSD.

Challenges that still face are the relapse his father with alcoholic abuse, it would be 2-4 years sober because he would swear to the Virgin Mary. Once his dad does the years he swears in church he binges drinks until he becomes abusive and then swears in church again. The economic status his family lives in, living in poverty, lack of resources for not only him but younger sister as well. Issues John remains to have are anger management, lack of social skills, and support system. Due to John not telling anyone about the abuse at home and learning that it is okay to express his feelings and to talk to another adult for help, lead him to have difficulty expressing his emotions.

The social work profession’s Standards of Practice outlines the boundaries in the relationship between social workers and their clients and sets a mandate of their responsibilities as a social worker (Alberta College of Social Workers, 2013, p. 30). In the Code of Ethics, boundaries are also set at a high standard as we must draw metaphysical lines between personal roles or interests and professional (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2005, p. 7) to prevent forming a dual relationship with clients. Another boundary is to halt the possibility of the social worker from using the time they have to help themselves rather than helping their clients (CASW, 2005, p. 6). In addition to these boundaries, it is crucial for social workers to not share too much of their personal life with clients by placing mental boundaries of how much they feel they can share of their personal life with their clients.

One of the most important skill to have as a social worker is to identify your client’s strengths. All social workers should have knowledge of an effective leader that are identified by their strengths or limitations in order to improve the one’s they identify. There are several evidence-based assessments that help identify the strengths and limitations of any individual. Thus, it is also necessary to obtain other perspective based on your leadership strengths or limitations in order to improve or strengthen those qualities. The self-assessments used through this paper will help me develop a plan that points out my challenges, help expand and improve on my strengths (Human Services Guide, 2015).

In discussing Jr’s psychological health, he reports that he is not on any current medication. He reported previous signs of depression, but he plans to seek treatment for depression through the rehab facility as well. He has been to previous counseling sessions before due to multiple suicide attempts, but did not follow through due to him not being ready for help. Physically, Jr is considered underweight and struggles to keep food down, or build an appetite when he is not sober.

Patient states that he was on unit in April of this year. Patient states that after discharge he tried to get into a program (Salvation Army in Manhatten), but there were no beds available. Patient reports that he went back to his same enviromemtn, Jersey City and started drinking and using heroin. Patient said that he had no health insurance so he was unable to fill his prescription. Patient reports that he applied for Medicaid and is currently waiting to see if he is going to be approved. Patient stated that he would like to go to Meadowview in Seacucus. Patient states that he reason why he uses is to self-medicate because he has no insurance. Patient stated that he would like to get into long-term rehab that does not require him

John is a 54-year-old while male that was referred by the VA to VHN due to his homelessness. The veteran has limited income from SSD and VA disability. The veteran acknowledges his mental health conditions, his struggles with addiction, and his need for treatment. The veteran is aware that addiction negatively impacts his interpersonal relationships. The veteran does not appear to fully accept the impact of his childhood on his interpersonal relationships or his mental health concerns.

WORKER ASSESSMENT OF CURRENT SITUATION: client continues to show the ability to identify and complete goals in a timely fashion. She is capable of living independent or in a SRO.

Chris is a 38 year old, heterosexual, masculine, Caucasian male. Chris has just recently returned home from Iraq after serving four tours. He claims to be having trouble adjusting to civilian life and reports his weakness for giving up and choosing to quit while his “brothers” are still overseas. Chris is married with two children and desires to fulfill his roles as being a husband, father, soldier, brother, son, etc. Chris believes that this is his life’s duties and God’s plan for him. Due to feelings of anger, aggression, guilt, shame, loss, anxiousness, hopelessness, and depression, a VA physician advised Chris to utilize the VA Healthcare System in order to seek appropriate treatment.

There are several different types of human services barriers. They are client’s perspective of the situation, embarrassment, reluctance to admitting to having a problem, perceptions of the helper, cultural, cost, transportation, time, and fear. These are then broke down into three categories, which are barriers to seeking help, barriers to friends as helpers, and Reluctance.