Social Work Practice Essay

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 assignment involves a case study where Ralph, a fourteen year old boy, is currently in foster care because his mother; Kerry, felt she was unable to control him due to his behaviour. However, Kerry has now expressed that she is unhappy with this foster placement and has requested that her son be returned to live with her and his two younger brothers. The scenario becomes more complex owing to the fact that Ralph has disclosed that his mother had regularly hit him with a walking stick. In this essay I will seek to consider the main practice issues raised by the scenario of the case study. Using the materials provided within the course along with my own professional experience, I will outline relevant legislation

I have always been passionate about working with and helping others. The social work program at Western Illinois University (WIU) has given me the opportunity to give back to my community and begin channeling my passion to help others. I look forward to the opportunities and experiences St. Ambrose University will bring me in the near future.

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

To work within the policies and procedures within your organisation. Your agreed ways of working will have been drawn up in line with guidelines from CQC and help to ensure that standards of care and its’ delivery are standardised and regulated throughout the care sector. It is important to keep aware of any updates and changes in the agreed ways of working – this will help to provide the best care to at least a minimum standard that is consistent across the board. It also helps to keep all staff up to date with current legislation.

Ms. Apple is a 45 year old African American woman who has been a widow for about 4 years. Ms. Apple has three children, whose ages range from 5-12 years old. Ms. Apple has been struggling to keep her family afloat since the death of her husband. Ms. Apple convinced herself that she would not require the extra assistance. However, she realized in attempting to provide alone has not only become very strenuous, but also quite costly. Expenses have become overwhelming for Ms. Apple to maintain, since her husband took care of the finances and was the breadwinner for the family. Ms. Apple has minimal education as she is able to read and write at grade school level. Ms. Apple also has never been employed as she was a home maker. At this

The early 1940’s found the median age in Canada to be approximately 26, whereas today it rests at just under 40 (Hick, 2014). This rising trend in age further continues when looking at that of the elderly (those aged 65+). The Government of Canada (2016) projects that beginning in 2011 and stretching over the next three decades, the number of elderly persons in Canada will rise from 4.2 million to that of 9.8 million, with the latter estimated to represent almost a quarter of the total population at that time. The impact this increase has on social policy regarding the elderly has yet to be fully actualized, but will undoubtedly affect Canadians across the board as additional pressures are placed on the system, as well as calls for more aggressive changes are likely to correct current policy pitfalls. This paper reflects on the chapter findings in the text, Social Welfare in Canada, as well as analyses the issues and proposes foreseeable implications that this has on social policy practice for social workers.

For my own paper, this research article is valuable because it addresses depression in terms of treatment and quality of life. In my thesis statement, I am trying to understand how to best promote quality of life for those living with cognitive disorders and that includes addressing depression. I hope to gain my readers trust by acknowledging that there is a need for further research to be done for treatment options.

In my position as a family facilitator working with families through their reunification process, I tried to decrease my power. I do by using power with methods for them to advocate for themselves, promoting their self-esteem, and embracing their self-determination in meetings with their social worker. I held clients prepare for case planning meetings by creating lists of concerns they had, questions they wanted to ask, sharing accomplishments they felt, and their plans for moving forward. Rather than dictating what I thought these were based on their case, and my observations all power was given to the clients in this regard. During the meetings, the client was in charge of the direction it went, and running it. As a facilitator, I did not create the agenda for the meetings, or

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

In the movie The Preacher kid, Angie King is a character who plays preacher daughter. By her father been a preacher, she has values and rules that she must obey. Somewhere down the road Angie King decide that she doesn’t want to be label as a preacher child and follow her dad values and rules. Mrs. King wants to join a traveling gospel show; however, her dad doesn’t want her to join traveling gospel group. Mr. King knows that she can’t handle all the circumstances and situations that she may occur out there on her own. King decides to leave her family and friends behind. Once Angie gets out on her own she forgets all the values, morals and rules that her dad instill in her. Angie starts using drugs and start having intercourse with the

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.

From this meek beginning, social work has progressed into a professional service with treatment obligations in all patient care areas, helping patients and families to attain their highest level of adjustment/coping in society, endorsing vocational and psychosocial rehabilitation. Social workers develop and implement treatment approaches which address individual social difficulties and work with acute/chronic medical conditions, dying patients, and bereaved families. VA social workers are liable for ensuring continuity of care through the admission, evaluation, treatment, and follow-up processes. This consists of coordinating discharge planning and providing case management services based on the patients clinical and community health and

The importance of the article I have chosen is understanding why over half of our youth with social anxiety and/or depression fail to receive treatment. This is a public health priority. Social anxiety and depression disorders respond well to therapy. The goal of treatment is behavior modification, and children beginning a concurrent program of behavioral therapy. Some adolescents may also need medication, which he/she usually won't take medicine for a long period.

In today’s time, social work practitioners work with and within various organizations and communities often and the need for a small group or team is essential. These small groups are formed together to accomplish work by increasing awareness and skill within the participation of each member and leader. Some tasks that cause for a group to be drawn are some form of an instruction, an opportunity or a perceived concern. In the social work aspect, this group can affect broader changes for a client.