Essay On Social Work

Having the opportunity to hear from a variety of professionals in the social work field was the perfect addition to our course syllabus as many of my classmates are approaching their helping careers. For me personally, these speakers were able to reinforce what I desire to study during graduate school. The speakers were also able to provide me with different avenues I may want to study or pursue for a job opportunity once I have my masters degree.

This section of the paper will discuss the definition of social work, values associated with social work and arguments for and against the use of systems theory in social work practice. Social work can be described as a field of study that encompasses individuals and their environment. Social work can be defined as work trained professionals do to elevate stressors of individuals so they may become more self-sufficient and empowered to live to their fullest potential.

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

This essay will discuss social divisions; social exclusion and social inclusion, of which there are many definitions and interpretations. Social divisions and Social exclusion has been around for many years. Social exclusion was first noticed in France in 1970s in relation to people who fell outside the range of the social insurance system, such as disabled people, lone parents and the young unemployed (Townsend and Kennedy, 2004). Before 1997 Social exclusion was referred to as ‘poverty’, which means where people lack many of the opportunities that are available to the average person (Palmer; 2010). However for the purpose of this assignment, it will focus on homelessness as a social division, the relationship between exclusion and

According to the National Association of Social Workers (2016), “social workers help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges: poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, divorce, loss, unemployment, educational problems, disability, and mental illness. They help prevent crises and counsel individuals, families, and communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life”. Through the lens of a professional, these are critical qualities and experiences that assist social workers in understanding people and the community, which they live in. In addition, it is very significant for social workers to identify and familiarize themselves with the neighborhood’s history, culture, customs, and issues and most importantly, the people. By being conversant with the background information, it will help social workers communicate more effectively while in the process of building and establishing relationships with the people in the community.

Social workers are caregivers, they provide assistance to people in need, and they address social problems. The social worker’s goal is the improvement of society to better the lives of individuals in need. The social work professional mission is to enhance the well-being of people and to assist them in meeting their basic needs, with particular emphasis on the needs of the poor, and the vulnerable individual. The Social Work profession has six core values. Social workers incorporate these core values into their daily practices. Service to others, the social workers’ goals are to serve others and to put the needs of their clients ahead of their own. Social justice, social workers aim to improve the lives of the disadvantaged, vulnerable and oppressed populations. Social workers understand the essential value of every human life, regardless of an individual’s ethnic background, cultural difference or religious belief. Their goal is to respect the dignity and worth of every person. Integrity, social workers strive to conduct themselves in a trustworthy, honest, and responsible manner at all times. Competence, the social workers practice their profession within their areas of expertise and that they regularly seek to improve and develop their knowledge.

Cornerstone Youth Center is where I am currently placed for my DFS, and it is an after-school drop-in center that caters to grade 6 to 9. Most of my clients are a mixture of at-risk and non-risk youth from the LGBTQ+ community, immigrants, refugees and youth that have mental illnesses. On a daily basis, we served approximately 20-30 youth during programs; however, upon the completion of the program, this where I interact with my clients by implementing a less formal one-on-one with the youth. During my one-on-one interaction with my client, I continue to build rapport by asking what positive or negative situations occurred in their day; what they enjoyed at school or what they needed help with. Although many of my clients face difficulties in their life, my agency also emphasizes on the positive outcomes to promote balance.

Two summers ago, I was standing in a dust storm about 80 miles away from the nearest sign of shelter. Fortunately, I wasn’t alone. With me were three of my coworkers: Dan, Joe, and Katie. Together, along with our supervisor Nathan, we comprised the on-set visual effects team for a feature length movie. We had only been working together for three months, but over this short course of time we had become a dynamic, cohesive team. Our job was to collect data from the film set that could be used by effects artists at their offices in Singapore and London. For example, I would take pictures of a prop from 20 different angles. The effects artists would then reconstruct the prop in 3D animation using my photos. However, with about six feet of visibility

A possible occupation I would probably pursue would be social work. Social workers help people solve and teach techniques that can assist the patients with problems in their everyday lives. Clinical social workers also diagnose and treat mental, behavioral, and emotional issues. Social workers cannot prescribe medication, only psychiatrists that have their doctoral degrees can prescribe medication to their patients. Social work fits with my holland code which is (SIA) from the FOCUS 2 work-interest inventory. The code (SIA) is an acronym which breaks down the “S” for “social: the helpers”. The S is what people get when they prefer to work with others in a team and problem solve. As well as people who enjoy teaching, caring for others, volunteering. The “I” stands for “investigative: the thinkers” meaning I having a strong desire to understand cause and effect and solve puzzles

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Choose at least two social work theories; explain their main principles, advantages and disadvantages and apply them to the assessment, planning and intervention in one of the case studies provided below. Discuss your rationale for choosing the theories selected.

When working with women of color, as social workers, we have to be able to understand where they are coming from to help them. We will never fully comprehend what or where they come from, of the struggles they face on a daily basis. For me, a middle-aged white male, I most definitely will not be in a position to recognize those strains they face in their lives.

1.Social work is not a career choice for me, it is a calling. During middle school, I was introduced to a student in my mother’s classroom, who eventually came to live with us, and became my sister. Before the age of three, my sister had suffered a great deal of emotional and physical abuse at the hands of her birth mother. Social services took her out of that home and placed her into a foster family. The foster family eventually adopted her but, unfortunately, over the course of her time with them (until she was 14) they also abused her. When I met her, she had all but given up on having a healthy, “forever family.” Together with my family, I worked to change her mind and provide her with the love and support she deserved.

My life has not been easy I came out the womb the oldest and became an adult rather early in life by default. I became independent by taking care of my younger brothers because momma was divorced and had to work. I’m only 3 ½ years older than my brothers but it didn’t feel like. I was taught to survive, more than thrive. I was taught to hustle, grind, and to make ends meet. The journal through the urban eastside of Detroit seemed to be a badge of honor. To proclaim the eastside represented the hard knocks life. Infested with an urban fabric of violence, drugs, and the extended family that once existed faded away. I always knew that I would be special and that there was a greater life ahead if I stayed focused.

School social workers work within schools to provide a variety of social, emotional, and mental health services to students to support overall success. The intent of this research is to evaluate the significance of having a school social worker available to general education students within the Owatonna High School setting and to examine the gaps in services that may have appeared since removal of this position in 2009. Various related studies were examined to outline a range of ways in which school social workers are used to support student success. During this study, a total of seven employees of the Owatonna School District were interviewed regarding school social work. As a whole the participants identified a large number of gaps

As the saying goes, “Our children are our future” and who you are as a child can determine who you can be later on in life. It is important for a child to be in a safe, comfortable and loving environment during its development so that the child can have the full advantage to become the best he can be in his future. My future career as a social worker will ensure just that. I chose this profession because of my own history. Growing up, I’ve had my share of social workers in my house. I experienced them as people who helped my family during a hard time. This is a career where I can fight for people’s rights. I will also be able to protect