Generalist Social Work Practice Methods

When reading the required chapter, it emphasized the topic of ethics in the health care setting. There was information that was talked about from the National Association of Social Work (NASW) code of ethics. Some of the information from the code of ethics is a reminder to me, and there was new information that explained the benefits and the difficulties when following the stated ethics when helping a patient, and/or information that pertain about a patient. The ethics that are discussed in the chapter are important to keep in mind as a social worker when working in a health care setting, agency/organization, or any place where social workers are needed. The code of ethics also explained about two different duel relationships between client

They understand the value in ethical and professional behavior and the impact it has on their work. Social workers must maintain the highest form of ethical practice because of their intense work in the community. Social workers use NASW Code of Ethics to help them make the most ethical decision because they often hold a lot of weight. Social workers also know how to differentiate their personal beliefs even when in difficult situations. They do not mix their values as a social worker with their values as a person and therefore do not let their beliefs affect their work. Social workers understand the importance of maintaining professional behavior because it can affect their

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.

With a master 's level education in social work, I see myself envisioning clients’ health and well-being. As a student, I will study and practice techniques, beyond a generalist perspective, that will allow me to give clients hope and the ability to see something greater than what they are facing. Upon completion of a Master of Social Work direct practice degree and certificates in gerontology and mental health programs, I intend to become a licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). As a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, I will competently incorporate specialized skills in different professional settings while developing my knowledge of a wide range of social issues and professional standards. With commitment, I wish to develop skills that will enable me to create or find hidden resources and services for my future clients, create platforms through counselling for victims of trauma.

The Generalist Model is having a broad range of knowledge on professional values and ethics and a broad range of skills, basically eclectic-based. By being eclectic, the social worker is able to help the client in any situation from at least a basic level. It allows them to work in different environments, whether it is considered to be micro, mezzo, or macro. There are seven stages of the generalist model; engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, and follow up. Each stage will be discussed below and how it helps change the client for the better. It is important that the social worker and client go through each stage and successfully complete the stage before moving onto the next.

Integrity plays a large role in practicing and providing care in an honest, responsible and ethical way. Through leading by the NASW Code of Ethics, I will continue work with integrity and bind my fellow professionals to such. Within integrity, being competent in not only my scope of practice but also continued learning in other areas will be something I will continue to strive to do as I go into the professional work force. The CSWE Advanced Social Work Practice in Trauma Standards policy 2.1.6 states “social workers use practice experience to inform research, employ evidence based interventions, evaluate own practice, and use research findings to improve practice, policy, and social service delivery” (CSWE, 2012, p. 9-10). Transparency is a personality trait that is definitely something I value in my personal life that I hope to carry over into my professional arena; and not being afraid to admit that I don’t know something but follow up with the necessary research to be properly informed in the care I am

Social work practice works with many people in different situations, needing concise help from professionals. This assistance includes a range of skills such as; identifying the problem or problems, apply and use evidence based practice and theories and critical reflection. All these skills are integral parts of best practice in social work, and are needed by all service users.

Garthwait, C. L. (2014). The Social Work Practicum: A Guide and Workbook for Students (6th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education, Inc.

In all professions there are specific guidelines laid out that professionals are expected to follow in order to keep up with the standards and respect of their practice. Specifically in regards to social work there is the Code of Ethics which social workers are required to follow to practice legally and ethically. The social work code of ethics written by the National Association of Social workers (NASW) in 1999 covers a wide range of topics, characteristics, and values that a social worker must follow. Furthermore, it is spilt up into four different division each covering a varieties of practice skills that social workers must be aware of.

One of the strengths of this syllabus is the learning outcomes of the course based on the educational policy and accreditation standards [EPAs] of the Council of Social Work Education [CSWE]. The presentation of EPAs competencies, which implicates what students will be able to do if they complete the course successfully, helps construct students’ perception of the course’s purpose in the preparation for their future as social workers. The syllabus also does a good job when connecting social work core competencies with practice behaviors and related assignments. In short, at the first two pages, the syllabus would help students perceive clearly the objectives and expectations they could set up for themselves during the

Both clinical social workers and caseworkers use this model to aid their clients. This model is often used, since it focuses on the boundaries of the systems as it seeks to focus on each individual client (Schatz, Jenkins, & Sheafor, 1990). Beginning in the 1960s, the generalist perspective was created from the Milford conference, which stated that a generic approach to social work was necessary (Schatz et al., 1990). The generalist perspective continued to develop throughout the 1960s and 1970s, and it quickly became the base for all social work (Schatz et al., 1990). What occurred with the foundation of the generalist perspective was the interlacing of casework, group work, and community organization with the emphasis on understanding the interaction between individuals and their unique environments (Miller, Tice, & Hall, 2008). With the emmeshing of these crucial concepts, the generalist perspective uses the person-in-environment perspective as its foundation and attempts to include policy, practice, and research (Miller et al., 2008). Moreover, with the combination of these levels and perspectives, the generalist perspective seeks to

Theories and research are thus responsible for distinguishing the professional practice of social work from any other informal ways of helping. The application of social work theories and research is imperative because it helps social workers to mitigate unfavorable situations in their practice. Through theory application, social work practitioners are actively involved in a quest of self-improvement and improving practice which is achieved by utilizing and replacing of well researched and adequately tested strategies (Osmond and O'Connor, 2014).

The second dimension of generalist practice includes a knowledge base chosen from a range of theories. A theoretically and empirically based practice approach is one that is tested in controlled situations so that social workers have evidence that a particular approach is appropriate for specific populations. The third dimension explains how practice should maintain and improve the well-being and social justice of

In the generalist social work practice, a social worker is a change agent due to the expansive and complex umbrella of social and human services and roles. A change agent works to promote positive changes for the well-being of an individual, family, group, organization or community. In order to fulfill the tasks of a social worker, one should be trained and equipped with a wide variety of skills: such as setting appropriate boundaries, possessing and utilizing self-awareness and the ability to counsel or advocate for clients. In addition to many skills, the generalist social work practice includes a surplus of methods to either prevent or intervene when necessary. A method often utilized by social workers is the person-in-environment conceptualization. The person-in-environment perspective considers factors, such as familial or economic, beyond the individual to better understand the client’s behaviors or situation. Another method is the strengths perspective. The strength-based perspective focuses on the client’s or client system’s positive qualities to build upon those capabilities. And the recognition of strengths helps to achieve goals in a more client-led approach. Generalist practitioners are professionals with a wide range of knowledge and a repertoire of diverse skills in order to enhance the social functioning of all within society.

For this reflective journal, I have decided to draw parallels between approaches to social work that I have learned in my placement, and what I have learned during my academic career at Carleton University. Placement thus far, has been an eye-opening and rich experience, which has taught me about the profession that I aspire to be a part of. I am a third year student, and much of my time spent at Carleton, has been studying theories, and becoming exposed to different schools of thought. Theories are incredibly beneficial, to teach and inform the practice of the next generation of social workers. However, placement has provided me with the opportunity to apply theoretical ideals, to real life social work practice.