National Strategic Initiatives: Better Health, Better Care

Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the point where people interact with their environment. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work’. Social work origins arise from the effects of a change to an industrial sociality and increasing impact and focus upon poverty. However it is argued that current social work practice, as illustrated by the broad definition of social work by the IFSW, finds itself expected to address wider social issues such as racism, sexism, and discrimination relating to physical or mental ability. Furthermore social work itself has changed from its origins of a charity style response to social problems of poverty. Banks (1995, p1) argues that the changes to social work have introduced different roles for different purposes of ’redistribution of resources to those in need... social control and rehabilitation of the deviant’ Banks further argues that as social work changes, the emphasis is less upon a helping relationship and more on the distribution of resources and on social control.

When working in a field of expertise the experts in that area need to know what defines that field. Social work, with its roots over a hundred years old, started out simply offering assistance to others, has grown and changed, and is currently reconnecting with its roots (Bisman, 2004). Bisman (2004) emphasizes the importance of being an advocate of justice and keeping the field focused on the “social” part of social work. This push to keep social work focused on the needs of others defines social work today. Social work focuses on providing aide to the needy and increasing awareness of those that are oppressed.

This essay will focus on how contemporary social workers work to balance the competing demand of care and control. It will start by outlining the nature of the contemporary social work and what it is like and how it works within society. The discussion will then move on to look at and discuss the key professional values of social work practitioners and analyse its relationship to their own personal values, this will also bring into account how these values and views influenced the relationship a social worker can have with both service users and other agencies. Lastly it will explore the range of challenges and dilemmas that are faced by social work practitioners in everyday practice when it comes to trying to balance the demand of care and control and how they work to overcome these problems in order to ensure an effective and fair service to all who avail of it.

Prior to being in graduate school I was not fully aware of all the opportunities and experiences in social work. I have since gained more knowledge of macro level opportunities in the field of social work, such as advocating for human rights, and social justice. I have also been presented with the chance to tackle tough policies that directly impacts clients that I have interacted with through my experience in social work. I plan to continue to identify weakness in various systems to promote social justice, and learn more ways to change social institutions to be more humane and

Values and planning in social care P1 Holistic care is when social care providers take the patients whole care meaning they consider the physical, emotional, social, intellectual and spiritual needs of the patient. As well as the patient’s response to their illness and the effect of the illness on the ability to meet self-care needs. Empowerment of individuals means that service providers give patients enough information about their care so they can make informed decisions about their care and giving them the independence to make choices about their own life. For example, care providers should try and ensure all individuals they are working with try and become independent and don’t rely on them too much.

It aims to work towards making Scotland Healthier. They want to improve the quality of health by following a targeted action plan. By tackling alcohol misuse, obesity and mental health issues the government hope to make a safer, happier and healthier future for Scotland’s children.

Social Work practitioners every day interact with individuals who are challenged by personal, societal, environmental barriers to life, and in amidst this face inequities and injustice as part of life (Aotearoa New Zealand Association of Social Workers, 2011). It is the role of the social worker to use their therapeutic and facilitation skills to assess the clients risk and then work with the appropriate interventions in order to help promote social change for the individual and their family.

One priority framework related to health inequalities is Equally Well, Equally Well was launched in June 2008. The report produced in company with Cosla was followed by a complete action plan in December 2008. Equally Well has actions for all and delivering on these will require strong joint working between NHS, local government, the Third Sector and other with community planning companies. The Equally Well Review confirms that the three social policy frameworks, Equally Well, the Early Years Framework and Achieving Our Potential remain the best approach to deliver long-term developments in outcomes for people. The Ministerial Task Force therefore recommends that action on all of the frameworks´ recommendations should continue at Scottish Government

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

Scotland is a small country comprising of 5.2 million inhabitants, with 22.6% of its population aged 60 or above. Scotland has been distinguished among prosperous western societies for its poor health, with statistics on average more analogous to eastern European countries than with those of Western Europe. Additionally, Scotland has been differentiated within the UK for having a higher degree of mortality than can be justified by its proportion of deprivation. The reasons why Scotland’s health is significantly poorer than other countries

From the Joint Commission Hospital Accreditation, the 2016 National Patient Goals has specific criteria to ensure patient safety.

Kaiser is able to respond to the challenges set forth because they continue to evaluate what changes need to be made and how to make them successfully. The strategic plan allows for an overview of where the facility is currently standing. This allows for any changes that are made internally or externally to be evaluated at the time of the change instead of after the change has been made and it is too late. The strategic plan helps to have a faster response time because there is already plan in place so it is easier to see where the changes are made and how to correct them without the facility suffering.

“The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well being and help meet the basic human needs of all people with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed and living in poverty.” (1)

Social Work is a discipline that can be a very rewarding experience for both the worker and the client. The practice involves working with individuals, families, or groups who are struggling to cope with life`s challenges. The social worker must combine his or her personal qualities, creative abilities, and social concerns with the professional knowledge in order to help client’s social functioning or prevent social problems from developing (Bradford W. Sheafor, 2008, p. 34). Social work practice seeks to promote human well-being, while addressing the processes by which individuals and groups are marginalized or diminished in their capacity to participate as citizens (Ian O'Connor, 2006, p. 1).

As practitioners, it is our goal to promote overall wellbeing and assist client’s in achieving their full potential regardless of their age. In order to support growth, social workers should apply a holistic