Strengths-Based Approach In Social Work

Based on the practice update from 2010 social workers in the child welfare field use strength based theory to help youth aging out of foster care. One point that was in the practice update is that the social worker is able to see strengths of the child and help them to see those strengths to set goals for their future (Torrico, 2010). It is very important for these youth to hear other people acknowledge their strengths.

Introduction. Children are biologically designed to form a secure attachment. Smyke and Potter (2011) describe a secure attachment as when a child feels accepted and valued by their caregiver, which is a process of the caregiver providing life-long comfort, support and protection for the child. When a child experiences maltreatment and social isolation from a caregiver the child develops a sense of danger which causes an "overwhelming sense of helpless, horror and terror" (Smyke and Potter, 2011). Examples of maltreatment may include a child living in institutional care or frequent placements while in the care of child and family services or when a child is left with random caregivers or the child is brought to a drug house by the parent who

It is found that applying theory to practice may not always lead to the right conclusion, thus it establishes a precise approach to the social work process. The problem with choosing a particular point of view is that, whilst no particular theory is absolute, but when impartially applied, almost any can be used as theories as they are dynamic and always

The conventional wisdom maintained that children are best cared for by their parents whenever possible (Wattam, 1997). ASFA expanded the concept of child well-being by requiring states to assess family capacity and ability to provide for their children’s needs from a strength perspective. Instead of viewing the family as a pathological system with deficiencies in skills and abilities, child welfare social workers were mandated to consider family coping skills, knowledge, resourcefulness, and willingness to grow and change. An underlying assumption of the strengths perspective is that families are not only in the best position to identify their problems they also have the solutions to their problems. Thus a major focus of the strength perspective in child welfare is collaboration between the social worker and the family to define the problems, developing goals and strategies for resolving the problems, and identifying desired outcomes (GlenMaye & Early, 2000).

Power is one aspect of social work practice that needs to be considered in reflecting on any situation or action. Reflection focused on anti-oppressive practice is concerned with the social worker’s understanding of the institutions of power and his or her understanding of power, and his or her understanding of identity as being constructed within a society that creates interlocking oppressions. Power is seen as ‘a social relation that may open up or close off opportunities for individuals or social groups’ (Tew,2002: 165) where ‘opportunity’ may involve anything from accessing resources and social or economic participation, through to developing personal identities and capabilities, expressing needs, and feelings and renegotiating.

Thorpe, R 1992, 'Community work and ideology: an Australian perspective', in R Thorpe & J Petruchenia (eds), Community work or social change?: an Australian

According to Jacqueline Corcoran (2011), people were basically viewed in terms of their pathologies, weaknesses, limitations, and problems. However, in strengths-based models, in contrast, the helper, in collaboration with the client system, identifies and amplifies existing client system capacities to resolve problems and improve quality of life. Strengths-based approaches can be viewed as respectful toward and empowering of the oppressed and vulnerable people to which the field of social work traditionally has been committed (Corcoran,

The universal importance of the relationship between children and their primary care givers is a concept that most of society can relate to irrespective of whether they understand the ‘theory of attachment’ that underpin it. Therefore, framing the discussion of the broader treatment of asylum seekers in the context of treatment of Children and the negative consequences of detention and separation can generate a more compassionate understanding even from those who seek to promote a generally hard-line approach to asylum seekers. There has been significant media attention on the topic which is likely to have influenced the Turnbull governments policy in targeting the end to detaining refugee Children in Australia, although they continue to fund the detention of a number of children in offshore detention centres. (Hasham

This is difficult process and should be coupled with use of theoretical approaches. Adams et al (2008) advocates that social workers need to use an eclectic approach to their practice by selecting different elements from theories in order to produce one approach appropriate for the individual’s needs. Epstein (1992) suggests that to overcome the limitations of theories continuous reflection and debate is vital to incorporate complex

I will explain on how my chosen service is designed to meet the health needs, developmental needs and social care needs for my chosen client group. How will Carters Green Medical Centre meet the needs of my client group (children) with their health and growing up as well as socialising skills?

Something that I consider to be both a strength and a weakness in my social work career is my gentle and reassuring manner. On the surface, this may seem like an excellent trait to have. I am very much a “people person” and others are naturally drawn to me. I tend to look at situations in a positive light as much as possible and have become an expert in removing tension between family members or dealing with end-of-life concerns. The majority of the residents value this quality in me and seek me out when a difficult decision needs to be made. However, my demeanor may be a disadvantage if I were to be working with another population or in a different setting. For example, I do not think be successful in jobs at prisons or alternative schools because I may have to be more serious and assertive with my clients.

The S.W must acknowledge that Ashley at her age experiences new sensations and feelings. She might place a great importance on what other people may think of her. That's why she might be reluctant and hesitant in disclosing certain aspects about her existing situation. We don't know if Ashley discussed her concerns with her mum or other family members, so she needs to be approached sensitively , as she might feel ashamed. She might be afraid that she might be disbelieved by Jackie or her extended family, therefore there is a risk of emotional abuse that might arise as a consequence of her disclosure. The social worker must act with empathy which plays a crucial role. It is highly important for the S.W to be able to establish a positive environment that could encourage Ashley to provide key information that can contribute to the interview's quality.

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. I am confident that the skills that I will gain from completing a social work master’s degree will help me collaborate with people in need and aid sustainable growth in their lives.

This involves systematically examining survival skills, abilities, knowledge, resources and desires that can be used in some way to help meet client goals (Saleebey, 1996). The helping process from initial contact, goal identification, assessment and intervention to evaluation has the underlying assumptions that human beings have the capacity for growth and change (Weick, 1992), knowledge about one 's situation (Early & GlenMaye, 2000), resilience (Garmezy, 1994) and membership (Walzer, 1983). The major focus in practice from the strengths approach is collaboration and partnership between social workers and clients. Other methods include environment modification and advocacy (Early & GlenMaye, 2000). Tim explained to the students that he “tell the folks what he can do and what he can’t” Tim further explained that “I make it a policy never to do anything for the clients that they can do for themselves”. Tim identifies his clients’ strengths and work around that to enhance and empower them. Although, strength based proposed to work with the clients’ strength it must be elaborated that the approach must be a partnership with both client and social worker; it is a collaborative approach. People are seen as being experts on their own situation (Poertner & Ronnau, 1992; Saleebey, 1992c; Sullivan & Rapp, 1994; Weick et al., 1989) then

Social care can be a fulfilling and rewarding career however there can also be very difficult experiences and so it is vital that we are prepared to care for ourselves in order to avoid burnout, desensitisation and to be able to continue working with and supporting those who need us. We should be open minded in our work and attempt to learn from both positive and negative experiences. ‘We would be missing the opportunity given to us by the people with whom we work if we did not learn and grow from our experience’ (Howard & Lyons, 2014, p126).