Quote: “Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults”. ― Benjamin Franklin
Purpose of Field Practicum
Field Experience or practicum represents a bridge between the knowledge and experience gained in the classroom for the application to professional social work practice. It is intended as an opportunity for students to observe the application of social work techniques by seasoned professionals, to be mentored by experienced social workers, and to test newly acquired knowledge and skills in an educationally supportive environment (SWFP, 2016).
During the practicum experience students are faced with challenges, responsibilities and ethical practices. The Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards of the Council of Social Work Education
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Specific criteria for performance are usually not involved. An important goal in reflection is bringing focus to an indeterminate situation (Dewey, 1938) by gaining clarity and by fully experiencing what has happened. It is important to gain closure during reflection and not ruminate repeatedly about the experience. Reflection involves divergent thinking and often includes journaling.
Description of the Agency (Student Support Services Division) Student Support Services Division (SSSD) came into being on January 29, 2004 under the purview of the Ministry of Education. It began as a pilot exercise with the expansion of the Division being undertaken in three phrases commencing in 2004 and terminating in 2014. In order to ensure that students develop holistically the Ministry has recognized the need for additional support services for students, hence the establishment of the Division. It was established to meet the needs of students, to enable them to maximize their potential. The services delivered by SSSD
Today there are institutional review boards that are designated to approve and monitor research studies to ensure ethical standards are being met (Dudley, 2011, p. 45). As social work practice becomes more evidence-based, the worker will have an increased obligation to advocate for conducting and consuming research that aligns with ethical standards. A practicing social worker can help ensure the ethical treatment of their clients by empowering them to take an active role in their treatment decisions and goals. Three important mandates of the Council on Social Work Education that are directly relevant to research are adhering to the values and ethics of social work, promoting an understanding and commitment to diversity, and promoting human rights and social and economic justice (Dudley,
Morales, A., Sheafor, B. W., & Scott, M. E. (2012). Social work: a profession of many faces. (12th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
The committee then reviewed its list of relevant content areas drawn from the literature and from public comment and developed a number of rough drafts, the last of which was shared with a small group of ethics experts in social work and other professions for their comments. In the third phase, the committee made a number of revisions based on the feedback it received from the experts who reviewed the document, published a copy of the draft code in the January 1996 issue of the NASW News, and invited NASW members to submit comments to be considered by the committee as it prepared the final draft for submission to the 1996 Delegate Assembly. Many states require the legal regulation of social work practice; some states require a special license for practitioners of clinical social work as well as those in independent private practice. Generally, certification for clinical social work requires a master’s degree in social work plus at least two years’ experience as well as an examination. The SC code of ethics and the NASW code of ethics are very similar in that they both contain similar content and expectations. The SC code of ethics has a little more detail than the NASW code of ethics. This is mainly due to the fact that one is state
SiSWE (2003) Standards in Social Work Education The Framework for Social Work Education in Scotland http://www.scotland.gov.uk/publications/2003/0116202/17016 [accessed 12.3.2011]
I first became interested in social work when I took a human rights course as part of my political science major requirements. Throughout the course, I was fascinated and disturbed by the historic oppression of many large groups in society, and I realized my interests lie outside of the political arena; thus, I double-majored in social policy & practice because of my desire to learn more about how to enhance human well-being, fight social injustice, and pursue social change. I soon realized I wanted to pursue graduate social work education in order to gain a more holistic understanding of social problems and human ailments and, in turn, better understand the best ways to fix them. My background in political science and social policy gives me a unique perspective on the field of social work, as I have gained immense knowledge on social issues, the law, and public policy that will be useful in my graduate school and professional endeavors to fight for social justice and human rights.
Zlotnik, J. L. (2003). The Use of Title IV-E Training Funds for Social Work Education: An
Parker, J. and Bradley, G. (2003). Social Work Practice: Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Review. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Zoe is a very great attentive student. She is a student whoholds a lot of valuable pronciples from her Haitian-Cuabn culture. The monment she enters the building she greets people with respect. She always says good morning and refers to all staff and her peers by their name. Zoe always comes to school in a positive attitude. I have yet to see her upset which allows me to believe she is good in toning her emotions or personal life outside of school grounds. Outside of school she is always busy between homework, family and tutoring at the SCO Family Services program in Downtown, Brooklyn. By the end of her long day she is exhausted but yet a smile is always on her face giving no sinces of anger or worries.if I was to describe Zoe’s emotional tone or color it would be lavender. She is calm, soothing to me around but ye keps firm.she had a bright future a head of her. Between the classes I have observed her in she is always energetic, cheerful and strong minded. She is excited in theatre class showing off her acting skills and in Spanish class she is attentive when doing her Spanish class work.
Schon (1983) identified “reflection on action” and “reflection in action”. In reflection on action, professionals consciously scrutinise their past practice to gain insight and improve future practice.
The field placement experience at Silver Saddle group home allowed me the opportunity to put into practice what I have learned while in the Social Work program her at Northern Arizona University. Throughout field placement I have had the opportunity to practice on a micro, mezzo, and macro level and strengthen my professional social work skill while maintaining a ethical standpoint. Field has also allowed me hands on experience to advocate for clients, insure social justice, provide services, and build strong relationships with clients and the community.
Social work practice is a profession where it works alongside the ‘code of ethics’, which consists of formal statements which represent values of the professional community. National associations such as Britain state the core values within this field are human dignity and worth, social justice, service to humanity (human rights), integrity and competence. The professional field is regulated by the British Association of Social Work (BASW). The core values within social work are human rights, human dignity and social justice.... ...
Reflection is a key part of our personal development plan that is significant from both academic and employment perspectives. It investigates and someway measures our present level of skills and knowledge by looking back to reflect our latest performance and monitoring future improvements (Gallagher K., 2013, p. 23-24).
I strongly considered a career in social work after completing my undergrad school; my yearning for helping and advocating for all children of the world led me to Barry University. With increased knowledge in the profession of social work, I realized, I have been absent minded in the numerous roles that a social worker plays. As advocators, counselors, mediators, and researchers, social workers uphold principles and core values written within the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics. Social workers mission is entrenched in the Code of Ethics. “Code of Ethics set fourth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers’ conduct” (The National Association, “n. d.”). Service, Social Justice, Dignity
Coulshed, V and Orme, J. (2006). Social work practice. (4rd ed). New York: Palgrave Macmillan.
Over the course of the semester, I have learned a variety of many things regarding social work. These things vary from learning how to help oneself to understanding how to help others. Not only were the textbooks very useful, but also the materials that furthered this textbook learning. The in class presentation, activities, and guest speakers gave us insight and a different perspective on the material we were learning. I feel like this course has given me a good foundation and prepared me as a future social worker (1).