Introduction After completing the value inventory for policy advocacy survey, the results indicated that I agreed with the social work profession 92 percent on the statements presented. For example, the social work profession and me holds the same view regarding transgender and gender non-conforming individuals using restrooms based on their gender identity, congress adapting a minimum wage based on the cost of living, federal funding supporting research in stem cell usage to prevent disease, supporting paid time off for new parents, early childhood education being universally available, funding domestic violence program for both the perpetrator and the victim and promoting syringe exchange programs to stop the spread of HIV and so on. The …show more content…
No one should be forced against their will because it violates the dignity and worth of a person (NASW, 2017). People have a right to make decisions regarding their health and future without the involvement of the government. Personally, I am sensitive to children being born with diseases that alters health and development. However, social workers should set aside their values and work towards the best interest of the population. One violation of human rights can open a can of worms …show more content…
Lacking the scientific understanding regarding psychopathic behaviors, coincide with the fear I have that psychopaths will continue to harm people whether they are medicated or locked behind bars. However, the social work profession adheres to the dignity and fair treatment of people despite their differences and believe in unbiased treatment for all. Hence, continuing to develop knowledge and competence is a social work value that will assess the needs of individual. Also, to avoid conflict of interest when working in the field, the profession promotes that social workers should avoid conflict of interest to better serve the population and to represent the social work profession excluding with personal values. Therefore, I will constantly work on my own value to better serve the population (NASW, 2017).
Conclusion
Based on the knowledge assessment of the topic presented in the value inventory for policy survey, I do not have the knowledge to make hasty decision regarding the mandate of prenatal HIV test and capital punishment. Expanding my knowledge in these areas will promote personal value change on the
Patient is a 51 year old Caucasian female living alone in her own home. The patient has a history and current syntoms of geralized anxity disorder, social phoina and panic attacks, which she takes madications for and sees a psychrist 2-3 times per month in Havasu. Patinets lives with six cats and the house environment is somewhat cluttered. The patinet is orinally from Glendale, CA., has a brother in Palmdale, CA, who is stays in contact with sometimes. Pt has a daughter in Big River, who is not supportive of her, but has three grandchildren who visit her.
The topic of capital punishment presents a test of values. The arguments in support of and opposition to the death penalty are complex. In the end, this is a question of an individual’s values and morals. The topic requires careful thought to reach a reasoned position. Both sides of the argument are defensible.
Ethical Issues in Social Work Practice The social work profession and its Code of Ethics dictate that social workers must act in the best interest of the client, even when those actions challenge the practitioner’s personal, cultural and religious values. In practice; however, ethical decision-making is more complex than in theory. As helping professionals, social workers are constantly faced with ethical decision-making or ethical dilemmas. As noted by Banks (2005), an ethical dilemma occurs “when a worker is faced with a choice between two equally unwelcome alternatives that may involve a conflict of moral principles, and it is not clear what choice will be the right one” (as cited in McAuliffe & Chenoweth, 2008, p. 43).
Social workers’ efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination and other forms of social justice. Social workers should avoid discrimination against people on the basis of age, gender, race ethnicity, sexual orientation and so on. The NASW Code of Ethics further identifies the social workers ethical responsibilities to the boarder society by listing the following
The dilemma lies in how the social work practitioner would respect the patient’s autonomy and determining whether the patient is competent. Furthermore, the social work practitioner is responsible for assessing whether the patient understands the consequences of his or her behaviours. Because, often than not, there are different risks associated with the patient’s refusal to medical treatment and services. Thus, in such cases, social workers would face the ethical dilemma of deciding whether to protect or limit the right of how the patient should live his or her life.
Modern social workers are frequently tasked with certain objectives by their agencies, which leave little room for any work beyond specific treatments and timeframes (Gitterman & Knight, 2016). Although social workers are bound to the set of ethics put forth by the NASW, practitioners are often limited to focusing on the issues of the individual rather than the larger societal issues that may be behind those concerns. Additionally, many social work students end up working in direct practice, rather than macro work. There is a need for social workers to engage at the macro level in order to facilitate community organization and empowerment. Critics suggest this theory may not take into account the unique experiences of each individual and perhaps key characteristics of the individual or group are not taken into consideration (Sadan, 1997).
The article “Ethics and Value Dilemmas in Social Work” is written by Suncica Dimitrijevska and Vladimir Ilievski, published by Polirom & Universitatea Bucureşti - Dept. de Sociologie is Asistenţă Socialăby 2016.The article talks about the ethics which a social worker needs to follow and the dilemmas which they face while they deal with the different cases in their day to day life. A social worker 's decision never gets influenced by the clients age, culture, psyche or psychological abilities. This article discusses about various topics like, ‘ethical dilemmas during client support, values and knowledge in social work, values dilemmas of the clients encountered by the social workers, areas of ethical dilemmas facing social work and steps for solving the ethical dilemmas’(Dimitrijoska, Ilievski- 2016, p.49).
Macro-level of social work practice involves working with agencies, organizations, communities and large groups. According to Sheafor & Horejsi (2014), “Advocacy involves supporting action on behalf of individuals, groups, or communities with the goal of improving a social condition or preventing a social problem from developing” (p. 46). Social workers should assure that the services they entitled their clients are receiving. However, the social workers should be gathering information to determine if the clients qualify for the service. Advocacy is important within the nonprofit agency, because it can improve policies, programs, and services.
Portfolio Part B: Reflection on the overall learning within the module Prior to starting this course the MA Social Work course and the PPSWP module I felt very confident in the aspects of communicating effectively and working with a diverse range of people, and after the reading the professional capabilities framework I believe that I hold the same personal values which is expected of a social worker. The PCF6 talks about the importance of critical reflection and reflective practice explaining that it helps improve accountability, professional development and helps to you understand your own tacit knowledge and gain new knowledge, which improves outcomes and experiences for social workers. (Capabilities within the PCF, 2016) For this reflection
The dilemma lies in how the social work practitioner would respect the patient’s autonomy
Practice based on empirical knowledge helps reduce bias, enables workers to study interpretations, perspectives or alternative solutions, and makes social workers more accountable for their decisions JD Hudson (1997). The dialogue between theory and practice In the past and present, there is hesitation among practitioners in social work to adapt theory and research because they feel that the reference to theory is the loss of connection with reality when practicing social work. In order for the social worker to be an effective practitioner, man must have a sound theoretical basis and this is not easy to achieve.
Correspondingly, it will guide me to provide my clients with the ability to make informed consent. Additionally, this value is important to my future practice because it ensures that I become an advocate for my clients in every capacity, including human rights. Lastly, as a social worker, I will ensure that I work towards my clients being free from violence and the threat of violence (Heinonen & Spearman, 2010, p. 34). Secondly, as a social worker it is necessary that my practice is guided by my value of providing a service to humanity.
In the reading, the author discusses throughout the chapter skills and techniques in the middle phase of working with a service user. Honesty is a value that is highly respected in the social work profession because it creates authenticity and trust in the therapeutic alliance. I agree with the statement completely, as I believe that being honest in regards to what one is feeling as a social worker allows the service user to be honest with how they are feeling as well. Further, it is explained that empathy is of vast importance when working with a service user in order to connect, help them uncover what they are feeling, and find specific approaches and techniques that would be beneficial to the service user. Although I agree that empathy is an important skill for a social worker to have when working with a service user, I feel that at times it can be an issue.
Introduction The social work profession, was based on values that contributed not only to its own professional development and to helping different service user groups, but also to the development of societies in general. Describe how theories and research (EBP process) inform our professional knowledgebase. A clear theoretical perspective guide and influences social work practice in five key areas: observation, description, explanation, prediction and intervention.
As social work professionals, we have a commitment to advocate for our clients. Because of our advocacy commitment, we also should be committed to social justice. Change cannot happen overnight; however, it also cannot happen if people are not willing to speak up about the things they are passionate about. Additionally, social workers must ensure that they are empowering their clients. As social workers, we should be committed to using a person first approach.