Social Worker Research Paper

Social work is a career that finds and chooses you, rather than you selecting it. Social work has always been an immense portion of my life even when I had no recollection of what social work entailed. My life revolved around so many situations that had a social worker stepped in, my life would be totally different than it is today. Many individuals and agencies lack the compassion and empathy for oppressed people. Having been in many circumstances, has given me the experience and background that influenced me to go into social work, as well as the understanding of my role and responsibilities that I will assume as a professional social worker, and my reasons for selecting the program at ASU School of Social Work and thoughts on how the Mission Statement addresses my career goals.

Social work can be a stressful career, you need to be well organised as there is a significant level of administrative work - and time management skills are crucial. A social worker is expected to assess, review and maintain

There are many pros and cons of this type of field work. For one, it is emotional and at times very dangerous. “Many of us who look after the country’s most vulnerable are threatened with physical violence on a daily basis, whether from domestic abusers or drug-addicted parents” (Sancken). There have been many social workers who have lost their lives to help better others like Teri Zenner, who was brutally killed while in a home visit in Kansas, as well as Tanja Brown-O’Neal, who was murdered by helping a man in need as well as many others.

In order to work effectively and appropriately with vulnerable and marginalised groups in society such as individuals with mental illnesses, it is fundamental for a social worker to have a comprehensive knowledge base and proficient skills.

This organization does not provide any information about evaluation studies or empirical research that shows their program design is effective

According to NASW standards, advanced clinical practice competency in depression care for social workers requires that clinicians demonstrate knowledge and skill in assessing and managing symptoms, communicating with patients and families, and providing evidence-based interventions (NASW Standards for Clinical Social Work in Social Work Practice, 2005; NASW Standards for Social Work Practice in Health Care Settings, 2005).

What does it take to be a social worker? As a social worker there are all kinds of peolle that you will be working with and different settings. Depending on the setting, you are working with all different kinds of people who are all going through their own crisis and dilemmas. The population that social workers work with is a very vulnerable population.

Social workers meet in an office, hospital or school setting. Our text states, the focus of social workers is helping individuals, families, and groups cope with a wide variety of problems (2015). Social workers can work as a case manager, keeping records, files, and different types of documents and referrals for their client. They will take notes, make plans and keep the clients needs and choices in the clients hands, making sure they are respected and valued at all times. Social workers will network and work with others to ensure the client’s needs are being meet. The Occupational Outlook Quarterly states, a social worker also acts as an advocate for clients and refers them to other resources (2011). Their tasks vary and are similar to many other jobs in the field. The educational requirements are a bachelor’s degree to start, and require masters for positions in mental health or administration (Woodside & McClam, 2015). According to Human Services Career Network, This position interviews, coordinates, and plans programs and activities to meet the social and emotional needs of their clients. Works with the client to utilize community resources to meet individualized needs of the client. Typically reports to a senior case manager or director (2005). Social workers work with all populations, range from individual to group, from young to elderly and special needs. The average salary according to the Occupational Outlook is $44,200 per

As I observed the N.A. group, I compared Hepworth 's, Direct Social Work Practice, five stages of group development. The Preaffiliation stage involves observation and feeling out the environment of the group; members may be hesitant to speak or test out certain behaviors to see reactions from other members of the group or the facilitator (Hepworth, Rooney, Rooney, & Strom-Gottfried, 2017, 2013). Returning group members greeted each other with hugs, handshakes, pat on the back, while newcomers sat quietly observing others. The facilitator provided an introduction and instructions for participation. Each member was instructed to introduce the first name, state "I am an addict" and take turns reading from the

My understanding of the role of a Social Worker in older people is mainly service users whom are over 65 years of age, this type of social worker is often responsible for helping people who have been living with or diagnosed with a chronic or life threatening disease and disorder. Social workers help connect service users with plans that have been agreed with the service user to resources and sign posting to appropriate agencies for example Age UK or Macmillan Cancer support. Social Workers also liase with multidisciplinary teams to get a full accurate picture of the patient’s condition. In order to help the service user and their family cope. At one of the most difficult times in a person life a service user dealing with acute, chronic or

My placement is at Gateway Youth in Elmont. Gateway is a prevention program specializing in working with youth between the ages of 5-17 who are in conflict with their family, in need of academic or emotional support, or who are involved in the juvenile court system. Services provided include case management, crisis intervention, and advocacy with the schools, court, and community. As a social work intern, I am placed at Gotham Ave Elementary School working with third graders. At this school, Gateway Youth provides an after-school program for students that need supervision with their homework and inclusion in activities before their parents can pick them up.

Social Work is a field of interest to me because of the positive effort it contributes to society. Within the social work profession individuals are striving to improve the welfare of those in need of assistance. Social Workers assist a variety of individuals; from children, young adolescents, older adults, mentally ill, substance abuse individuals, and many other minorities; as in LGBT members, veterans, homeless people, and low socioeconomic status individuals. The broad mix population fascinates me because within this field one will always be able to work in a flexible environment. Social Work is used in multiple settings as in hospitals, nursing skilled homes, mental health and substance abuse clinics, schools, correctional facilities, community centers, child welfare agencies, employee assistance programs, and private practices.

Supervision in social work is defined by Barker (1999) as an administrative and educational process used extensively in social agencies to help social workers further develop and refine their skills, enhance staff morale, and provide quality assurance for the clients. The short term objective of supervision is to provide workers with the work structure and agency resources which help to increase workers knowledge and skills to do their jobs effectively and professionally. The long term objective of supervision is to provide clients the most efficient service possible, consistent with agency policies and procedures.

Social workers assist individuals, groups or communities restore or enhance social functioning through creating living conditions favorable to their goal or need. Social workers are trained professionals that help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges such as poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, educational issues, mental illness, disability, unemployment, etc. They accomplish this through counseling individuals, families and communities; teaching them how to cope with the stresses of everyday life. From a political standpoint, social workers spend time and money on campaigns that elect public officials that are committed to social work values. Sound public policies enable social workers to meet human needs, be fairly compensated and promote social justice. Overall I perceive social work as a “take action” profession. Often times, we as human beings complain and talk about what needs to be done but do not do anything beyond that. Social workers are hands on. They are not just talking about what “should” be done but they are doing something to better our communities. Social workers are about making a difference in society by helping others out that are in need for various reasons. If you are very sick and in need of assistance to perform normal, everyday functions, social workers can assist

A helping profession is one that nurtures the growth of or addresses the problems of a person's physical, psychological, intellectual, emotional or spiritual well-being.