Why Do Social Workers Remain Passive In Social Policies

According to (Dulmus & Sowers, 2012, p.106), the history of social work is one of an old religiously grounded ethos of offering, aid and comfort. This shows that social work has been around for quite a long time, helping the unfortunate and it has developed more throughout these past centuries. The profession was largely shaped by Westerns idea and events. (Chenoweth &McAuliffe, 2015, p.32). The ideas and events included could have been war, poverty and other social reforms. That is when social welfare was needed to give aid and help solve these issues. Social work largely expanded in England in the 16th during the Elizabethan poor laws and later on in America between 17 and 18th century (Dulmus & Sowers, p.6). This essay is going to focus on how social work has evolved or changed for the better from the 1960s till present.

Social workers fulfill a unique role in policy creation because that is a time for them to advocate for the oppressed or individuals who are attempting to cope with the stresses of everyday life. Most social workers have the opportunity to work hands on in the field with clients during some point in their career, and during that time they are able to get a clear understanding of the problem the client is experiencing. In The Other America, Harrington makes mention of the poor and how they lost their connections to the world; that clearly depicts the importance of the social workers’ involvement with the creation of policy (Harrington, 1962). Since those living in poverty have been referred to as “politically invisible,” social workers are

Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the point where people interact with their environment. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work’. Social work origins arise from the effects of a change to an industrial sociality and increasing impact and focus upon poverty. However it is argued that current social work practice, as illustrated by the broad definition of social work by the IFSW, finds itself expected to address wider social issues such as racism, sexism, and discrimination relating to physical or mental ability. Furthermore social work itself has changed from its origins of a charity style response to social problems of poverty. Banks (1995, p1) argues that the changes to social work have introduced different roles for different purposes of ’redistribution of resources to those in need... social control and rehabilitation of the deviant’ Banks further argues that as social work changes, the emphasis is less upon a helping relationship and more on the distribution of resources and on social control.

IntroductionThis paper discusses and explores both case studies in order to find the powers and duties a social worker acting in a statutory capacity might exercise in these cases, how might they be exercised and how might wider principles of welfare law impact on their decision making? It also analyses the tensions and dilemmas that may exist, referring to specific legislative provisions, and identify how anti-oppressive practice might influence the resolution of these case studies. It also demonstrates an ability to study relevant law in social work practice and have a critical and analytical understanding of the service delivery standards and powers and duties of social workers, demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of key

This paper will review and critically evaluate a submission by The Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). Being put forward to the Senate Education, Employment and workplace Relations Committee in 2012, in reference to “the adequacy of the allowance payment system for jobseekers and others, the appropriateness of the allowance payment system as a support into work and the impact of the changing nature of the labour market.” (Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Reference Committee, 2012).

Neoliberalism began in the 1970’s and 1980’s after advocates supported the economic liberalization policies such as the rule of the market, cutting public expenditure for social services, deregulation, privatization, and eliminating the concept of the public good. Neoliberalism has had a significant affect on social work practice over the decades. There are strategies social workers as well as individuals can use to challenge neoliberalism.

They provide welfare because of the law through statutory legislations and welfare provisions which are based together. Social work is theory and practical based. This can be done in a professional and non professional way. Professional people are qualified, trained and have research based knowledge. Such as social workers, community mental health nurse, psychiatrist. Which are all regulated to a registered body.

The role of the Social worker is varied as it involves the facilitation of change and empowerment of the individual through social, cultural and environmental influences. Between 1910 and 1970, the role of the social worker was significant due to the impact of the Stolen Generation on Australian society. The Stolen Generation was a dark period in the Australian history where many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children were often taken without consent from their homes and families by the government, police and welfare authorities. The children were taken from their homes in order to try to ‘"civilize" them by assimilation into white society’ (McCarthy 2000). The impacts of this period often resulted in severe psychological consequences for the children, the loss of identity, social isolation, depression, alcohol abuse and an increased level of violence. The role of the Social Worker was significant during this period as they were often involved with removing children from their homes and were also required to participate in the reconciliation process to improve the relationships between Indigenous peoples and the wider Australian community. One of the lasting effects of this practice is the distrust of indigenous people towards the social welfare profession.

The role of social workers is very wide- ranging in Australia. They practice with commitment to human rights, social justice and professional integrity to solve the problems in the community (www.aasw.asn.au). In this essay the focus of discussion is that the social worker will have a considerable role in disability and aged care even by applying individualised funding and personalised budget models. In 2012 Australian Bureau of Statistics, it is shown that 18.5% of total Australian population have disability and 14% were aged over 65(www.abs.gov.au). Therefore, Australian government introduced various programmes to support aged and disabled people; such as National Disability Insurance Scheme. This essay examines whether the personalised budget or individualised funding reduced the role of social worker in disability and aged care. My view here is that personalisation will not lessen the role of social worker. Instead it expands the scope of social worker as helper, broker and a mediator between the client and different organizations. This essay will explain the implementation of individualised budget and personalised funding in the context to disability and aged care. Further, it will discuss that how the social workers will still play a relevant role in the sectors of disability and aged care even under the personalised funding models. Finally, the essay will conclude the significance of social worker in these newly transformed models of funding.

Through therapy and support, social care workers assist individuals to maintain important social factors in their lives. These important factors would include their personal relationships, living arrangements and employment.

The statements “Social workers are often uncomfortable with power and often think that its acquisition and use are extraneous to professional practice.” This statement is can be viewed in many different aspects. While starting off as a social worker, one may think that they may not know how to handle power while comforting another individual. Truth is, a social worker’s help can mean a lot to another individual. As stated in the text, “policy advocates sometimes exert power in personal discussion with others.

Social services are dependent upon a social service delivery system which is largely defined by public social policy, and unfortunately, current policy may not line up with effective service delivery. According to the national association of social work “… the current policy is antithetical to social work values…. Restructuring and limiting government responsibility has profoundly altered the availability and the delivery of social work services and the role and status of social work as a profession.” This means that the system is not working. It is harder for people to qualify for services and ever harder to keep them (Widom,

Social Workers know the impact of social marginalisation on individuals caught in the shrinking patchwork of social welfare, they are ought to participate in critical

The journey towards the attainment of the Bachelor of the social work degree has been an enlightening and educational experience, as the individual is exposed to the realities of many social and political issues in the society. As a student, I ventured into the degree, with minimal insight as to how the degree can influence and shape the way I perceive the social world, and the way I relate these matters to myself. However, throughout my endeavour, which encompasses years of theoretical studies, and two intensive placements at two drastically different organisations, I believe I have accumulated the bare minimal knowledge to possess a solid foundation about the unfairness and inequality that people in disadvantaged conditions face. Social workers are predominantly found in welfare organisations which Howe (as cited in Limber, 2015) suggested largely influences the practice, direction and values of the social worker, and impacts on their ability to act autonomously (Lymbery, 2015). During my placements, there was a dominant theme that frequently stood out and enticed my attention. This was the accepted practice of focusing on the individual’s problem, as opposed to the social problems that existed and the lack of acknowledgement about the social restrictions of the human agency that limited self-determination. The realization that organisations were managed this way was important in ensuring that I made a proactive effort to understand and untangle the reasons behind such

Social policy is the study of social services and the welfare state. In general terms, it looks at the idea of social welfare, and its relationship to politics and society. More specifically, it also considers detailed issues in