Social work and social policy should not be distinct from each other. Social worker, as a professional in the field of human services concerning with the well-being of all members of society by its nature and professional ethics (Segal, 2010, p.3), is working within the social welfare system and with those served by the system (Ambrosino, 2012, P.4). Therefore, it is crucial to have social work practitioners engage in policymaking process in different roles and position.
A very crucial role of social workers in policymaking is researching. Although it is government’s policymakers to make social policies, they cannot solely rely on their professional intuition on what they feel people need. Any good planning and policymaking requires concrete
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By evaluating the original goals and the results or outcomes of a program or a policy, it is useful in assisting and influencing the government in future policy making and planning. There has been quite a lot of different organization involve in policy initiation and formulation within the social welfare sector. For example, Hong Kong Council of Social Service (HKCSS) is recognized by the government to be the representative in coordinating NGOs’ policy feedback to the government, Hong Kong Social Workers Association (SWA) and Hong Kong Social Workers General Union (SWGU) conduct quite a lot of policy critique. Evaluations of social workers’ empirical observations such as numbers, specific case examples and cost-benefit ratios is what policymakers exactly need to make sound policymaking decisions (McInnis-Dittrich, 1994, P.115). Continuing with the example of Professor Nelson Chow’s research report with recommendations on retirement protection commissioned by the government, Professor Chow researched and evaluated the current policies on old-age poverty and retirement protection systems in other countries and regions. As an experienced social worker, he clearly understands what needs to be changed for retirement protection policies and could then give recommendations to the
It is important for me to understand how the welfare system works and what it entails for my work with my clients. Although I have not yet had to interact with the welfare system on anyone’s behalf, it is more than likely I will have to in the future. Understanding what is involved in doing that is important before taking that on. Furthermore, I believe that having the expectations of what interacting with this system entails, such as a large amount of paperwork, decreased time for clinical work, and probable confidentiality related ethical dilemmas, could decrease discouragement, since the worker would understand what is involved in undertaking such a task, and s/he would understand that they are not alone in facing these
Norrie & Lennon (2011) identify that “postsecondary education will continue to be viewed as a key contributor to the province’s economic and social goals, and expectations for the sector are likely to continue to focus on accessibility, quality, and accountability” (p. 1). According to McKenzie & Wharf (2016), “social workers have been directly involved in developing poverty reduction strategies” (p. 37). This policy is relevant to social work in that it “recognizes factors supporting social inclusion, including education [and] employment” (McKenzie & Wharf, 2016, p.
Social workers have several responsibilities. They have to provide service, justice, and dignity to a client. They have to possess integrity, competence, and patience. Social workers need to possess knowledge of human rights, and how to perform scientific inquiry. Social workers occasionally have cases in which problems ensue and a solution is not found within a certain time frame.
The legislations, policies, processes, and code of practices have established the responsibility of employer in the regulation of social care worker. These standards are being set at the national level as they require the social care providers to comply with them. The codes are important step in the introduction of the system of regulation for the social care within four countries of the United Kingdom. They are required to ensure that people working as social care providers are required to understand their responsibilities. They are required to be provided with the appropriate training to handle vulnerable groups requiring assistance from social care providers.
It directs people to acquire knowledge to identify and use the resources. Social work studies individual problems as well as social issues which create hindrance to people in their walks of life. Social workers employ an adequate skills, techniques, strategies, principles, and activities at various system levels, for maintaining a system or for system change efforts. Social work practice makes us understand various forms of therapy and counseling, group work, and community work; policy formulation and analysis; and advocacy and political interventions. Social work practice is aimed at increasing people 's hope, self-esteem and creative potential to confront and challenge oppressive power dynamics and structural sources of injustices, thus merging consistently e the micro-macro, personal-political dimension of intervention.
It is the job of social workers to challenge these policies on a continuous basis. Every possible action should be taken to improve policy whenever applicable. Responsibilities of social workers to the broader society are covered in section six. 6.04 Social and Political Action are most relevant with this case. Section (b) explains that special attention should be given to people that are vulnerable, disadvantaged, oppressed or exploited.
1.What are some of the tensions inherent in balancing social control and social treatment functions of social policy today? Social welfare policies and programs humanistically liberate and enhance the well being of many individuals. At the same time, these aiding policies posit chaos and limitations on the lives of those who seek them due to underlying economic and political agendas. Hence, creating tensions including but not limited to antithetical views on how resources should be distributed (essentially, a power imbalance), contradictions regarding an individual’s right to a free and autonomous life, negative stigmas towards individuals who need assistance and discrimination.
On a day like this I think to myself what does life have in store for me? Here I’m going to write about what I hope as I begin taking Social Work courses. I hope to pass all of my courses and graduate one day with my bachelor’s degree from Heritage University. I also hope that after graduating Heritage, I find a job so I can save up money and attend a master’s program because college is not cheap. I want to attend Walla Walla University and graduate from there as well, with a Master’s in Social Work.
Social work is a career that I have recently become interested in pursuing. I spent many years with misconceptions concerning the sector. However, following three years of working close by these experts, I have picked up a more profound comprehension of the significance of the work. I am especially interested in working in child welfare along with terminally ill children. I have got to a stage in my career where I have started to search out instruction that will make me more efficient in creating plans and providing services for vulnerable people.
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
Letter of Intent What is your understanding of the social work profession? My understanding of the social work profession is that it’s a career path that concerns itself with the welfare of people from all backgrounds. Individuals in this career field have the wherewithal to handle with the continuously changing demographic in which they serve.
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.
Maintenance of Clients’ Dignity in the Practice of Social Work The person is always a central axis in the process of social work. A person who becomes a client of the social worker is unique, his life history is unrepeatable. When a professional social worker affiliates a relationship with his client, he knows that his personality is violated, so they together have to try to restore a mutual beneficiary interaction between this person and the society. A social worker can accomplish this purpose just if his activity is conducted by highest values.
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.
Once Marin Luther King expressed, “Our social welfare system is so much more than just charity. Everyone must help, whether you are rich or poor. Everyone must have the belief that there’s always someone in a much worse situation than I am, and this person I want to help as a comrade”. Martin Luther King’s statement holds true that social welfare and health care should be the act of providing something for someone who does not have it. However, the modern debate with regards to social welfare and health care is that who should be providing the means.