Social Work Boundary Issues

It is clear that social workers play an important role in society; it would therefore make sense to ensure that the working conditions of social workers are kept to a high standard. Without these good working standards it is likely that social workers might be affected by the job related stresses that are inherent to jobs dealing with troubled people. These high job stresses may lead to greater turn over and unwillingness amongst students to become social workers. Consequently the methods by which social workers and their respective employers have been discussed in this essay and include things like being given greater autonomy over their own scheduling and how they choose to deal with clients. Social workers may also be able to improve their

It is essential that everyone’s focus is on providing the best care and support to individuals, for example:

Social workers are faced with different dilemmas each and every day. It is a social workers job to be committed to their jobs and committed to their clients. Social workers are those people who are interested in helping people and helping to improve their lives. All help isn’t good help. Some of the things that social workers decide to do with their clients end up being unethical. As we explore the Jones case study, there are several different unethical decisions that were made. There are a few different dilemmas throughout the case study. Confidentiality, receiving gifts from clients and their family, social media, and also developing relationships (dual relationships). It important for social workers to have the resources such as the NASW and the standards of practice manual. The code gives us a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issues arise.

Reflection is a process of learning through and from self-analysis, self-evaluation, self-dialogue and self-observation towards gaining new possibilities for self-enhancement. In social work, this learning process is an integral part of applying theory to practice. With the growing influence of postmodernism, social workers also need to be prepared to recognise the eurocentric discourse that grounds and governs their disciplinary knowledge. It is against this background that I will reflect upon Foucault’s power-knowledge axis, particularly as it relates to cultural competence. As will be demonstrated, anti-oppressive practice rests on the ability of social workers to analyse the power dynamics that pervade their encounters

This paper will discuss the contract and barriers for John that might interfere with him completing his goals. In addition, this paper will address the questions if the caseworker is working harder than the client, concerns about John completing his goals and what they maybe, any resistance from John, possible barriers that may conflict with John completing his goals, and any value conflicts that might be present. Furthermore, the ending of this paper will suggest recommendations for treatment for John and some long-term goals that could be added at a later time to help my client.

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.

Social workers should avoid accepting goods or services from clients as payment for professional services. Bartering arrangements, particularly involving services, create the potential for conflicts of interest, exploitation, and inappropriate boundaries in social workers’ relationships with clients” (1.13.b).

Social work agencies strive to provide access to services that promote well-being for those most in need in society. Different agencies may vary in regard to their specific purposes, missions, or foundations. Two agencies that provide assistance in diverse ways to individuals in need are the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services and The Mayhill Hospital. The following discussion will explore comparisons and contrasts between these agencies with regard to their focuses, interventions, and roles.

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.

Reviewing the company’s policy on accepting gifts is important if you do not know the rules. However, according to the NASW Code of Ethnic and CASW Guidelines for Ethnical Practice, social workers cannot accept gifts from clients. Depending upon the gift we want to accept the gift because we don’t want to rude or hurt anyone feelings.

This question is much more complex than it seems on the surface, due in part to the multiple variables that would influence the answer. For instance, if I was in dire need of a job I may go out of my way to impress the person, especially if it is my dream job. Another aspect might be how invasive the question is perceived to be, which could influence my reply, especially if coupled with the first example of really needing a job. There may also be ethical factors to the question, some of which are “grey” areas, while others are very clear. Although all of these (and likely many others I haven’t thought of) may play a part in how I feel and exactly how I react to an invasive question, I think in the end I would default back to job relatedness.

I agree that forming social relationships outside the boundaries of counseling is an area that I would avoid. However, I must admit being torn during this week’s discussion. While I am a social worker and therefore must adhere to the NASW code of ethics, my current role is that of a family advocate. Which means a direct involvement in very personal family events such as parent-teacher conferences, doctor appointments, court hearings, and therapy sessions. I am not a licensed counselor however the families I work with are dealing with severe issues of drug use, child and spousal abuse, and mental illness of which I am told everything and confidentiality is essential.

A working relationship is different to a personal relationship as in a working relationship there are specific rules and guidelines which are to be adhered to at all times. There are no emotional attachments.Different working relationships in social care settings can vary from housekeeping through to general manger. The housekeeping staff interact with the residents minimally but interact greatly with the carers. The carers interact greatly with the residents but infrequently with the laundry team. The senior would interact frequently with the unit Nurse but infrequently with the unit manager.It is important to adhere to the agreed scope of the job role as there are plans set out for each individual person according to their abilities, religion,

qualified to wait until I have obtained my certificate and have the tool of higher education under my belt. The specifics of what exactly I hope to accomplish by jumping as far as I possibly can in my professional life are to simply be the best social worker for addicts and their families that I can possibly be. The issues plaguing these people and their families are catastrophic, and I understand firsthand how damaging and divisive the effects can be. If I can help even one family understand and shape their family environment into a safer and more constructive one and to give back to even just a single individual who needs the kind of guidance and support that I needed (and thankfully received), then my life will be more than well-lived. However,

Traditionally, social worker are expected to not impose their own values on their clients, and suspended judgment about client behaviors, even when their own values or society values demand a judgement (Dolgroff, Harrington & Loewenberg, 2012). This can often pose difficult ethical decisions for social workers and clients, as personal value systems are inevitable. Social worker value gap, value neutrality and value imposition are important to consider when analyzing any ethical situation with our clients. Consideration needs to be given to both the social worker and the client as they interact together, although it is the social worker’s role to not impose their own values onto the client. The social worker must uphold the value of self