The New Structural Social Work As A Social Innovation

In this paper, the role of a social worker will be addressed. A Human Service professional has, in its hands, the responsibilities in the life of the clients and families they meet. The tremendous and arduous responsibilities they take on include, but are not limited to, the well-being and care of people and their communities. Such roles can be helping others manage the care of a family member, assisting individuals experiencing problems with family relations and conflicts, dealing with changes that come with growing old, aiding those suffering mental illness and or those individuals struggling with addictions. Briefly

According to (Dulmus & Sowers, 2012, p.106), the history of social work is one of an old religiously grounded ethos of offering, aid and comfort. This shows that social work has been around for quite a long time, helping the unfortunate and it has developed more throughout these past centuries. The profession was largely shaped by Westerns idea and events. (Chenoweth &McAuliffe, 2015, p.32). The ideas and events included could have been war, poverty and other social reforms. That is when social welfare was needed to give aid and help solve these issues. Social work largely expanded in England in the 16th during the Elizabethan poor laws and later on in America between 17 and 18th century (Dulmus & Sowers, p.6). This essay is going to focus on how social work has evolved or changed for the better from the 1960s till present.

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.

Early social work focused on individuals and casting blame on them for their circumstances. Social workers had good intentions, but believed poor people were poor because of some failing on their part and often held a moralistic view that they were better than those they were helping. Social work has always had some type of organization behind the

Social work is a profession, in which the social worker uses the strengths of the client, and necessary resources to enhance the clients’ capacity to problem solve. Contrary to the belief of many, social workers do not solve the problems which the clients present, but rather works efficiently with the client, to assist him/her in identifying the problem and what has caused them not to problem solve effectively prior social work intervention, thereafter assists the client in finding a suitable approach to resolve said issue; client’s right to self determination.

Anaylse the role of the social worker and the differences between different professionals and non-professionals involved (multi-disciplinary team)

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.

In this paper, I will be discussing of an organization that caters social services and contributes to the social work field. In addition, I will go into details where the organization is financed from and what is the mission of the organization. Moreover, I will discuss the structure that the organizations conduct to accomplished their missions and explain the organization 's different services provided under their organization 's umbrella. Furthermore, I will discuss of the organization accountability to their services, overall impact, and the power in the organization. Lastly, I will explanatory the workers role in the organizations and discuss of my overall experience referring to my future social work profession.

According to Jane Adams (n.d), the knowledge imparted gives way to the idea of the significance of preserving the dignity of the people with the intent of self-empowerment. The contributions of this early pioneer offers insights to the development of social innovations, as she transfers her idea of professional advancement, social services, and social reform as a change agent creating social change (History of Social Work, n.d.). Finally, the continued advancement of social work is appropriate through the transference of communications of individuals linked in networks for evoking new ideas, and to broaden the social work practice and its educational experience, beginning with the idealism of our early pioneers (History of Social Work,

The basic foundation of the generalist practice approach began in the early 1900's. By the 1960's, the generalist approach started evolving into the description of individuals who had the abilities to work at different practice levels ranging from individual to community (Schatz et al, 1990). In the mid-1970's, the core curriculum for the generalist practice social worker was generated. In 1987, Schatz and Jenkins conducted a study and created a generalist practice model to help show the connection between, basic generalist, advanced generalist and specialist practices in social work (Schatz et al, 1990). The study also aided to define the differences

“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).

Being enrolled in a structural social work program, has provided me with the opportunity, to view social issues, and client interactions, through a structural social work lens. Structural social work to me, is ensuring that interactions with clients, are informed of social contexts, and how social conditions can impact, and be the underlying cause for the issues that clients face (Wood & Tully, 2006). Furthermore, structural social work includes how the social ills that exist in society, are due to the innately unequal system of our society. Specifically, social problems are due to capitalistic societies, and the inequalities, that grow due to this system. In regards to social work, structural social work aims to inspire social workers to be consistently aware of

Structural social work practice approach is a progressive approach it useful to recognize how one social class acquires any benefit by the expense of other social class. Structure based unjust or “power over” relation has expressed in terms of class, culture, gender, sexual orientation, race, employment, and other type of domination. The structural social workers are responsible to change the structure in to equal level addressing economic, social and political equitability with the intervention segments such as finding voice, oppression, and resiliency, raising consciousness, keeping clients right, developing solidarity (Carniol and Delvalle, 2010) and provide alternative social services such as referring employment agency, material support,

Unlike psychology and sociology, social work is one that stands out to the writer for the way it focuses on the individual being interconnected to his/her community. One might pursue a degree in the profession of, social work, because it is driven by a code of ethics that are important when working with individuals. One of the seven ethics that is important to note is the importance of human of human relationships. This ethic explains how social workers attempt to strengthen relationships with others to promote, restore, and maintain the family, community, and individuals involved (NASW, 1999).