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The Role Of A Social Worker

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The role of a social worker involves firstly obtaining a professional qualification at degree level set out by the Health and Care Professional Council (HCPC), who sets educational standards and regulates for social worker training. The social worker is an intricate part of society which supports and works with vulnerable individuals, families, children and the wider community in order to protect these individuals from harm, neglect and abuse. Assessment is core to social workers practice. As a social worker, professional practice entails supporting and evaluating assessments of need and risk continually, Walker and Beckett (2003). Social workers help individuals, families and communities to make informed choices and understand their own resourcefulness in order to bring about positive change to their lives. However, this can involve negotiating both complex and challenging situations. In some cases the social worker is required to intervene where children are at risk of harm from their parent or caregiver in a crisis child protection situation, the social worker would be required to present facts to the courts in order to obtain a child protection order, (Section 47 of the Children’s Act 1989). Ultimately the social worker must attempt to build positive relationships in sometimes adverse situations with individuals whom may or may not wish to cooperate, however, the social worker must where possible keep the family together. Assessments are carried out by the social

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