Social Work Reflective Essay

My perception of Social Work is constantly changing and developing. I began my journey on this degree naively; as entering a world towards humanitarianism. As many potential Social Work students, the terms ‘empower’, ‘empathy’ and ‘enable’, among others, were the most prevalent responses, when inquired during interview, as to why I wanted to become a Social Worker. Presently in my second year, I feel that I can assume that I am not alone amongst my peers, when I begin to question what Social Work is and would I truly like to be a Social Worker?
This essay does not claim to have the answers – perhaps it raises more questions. Be that as it may, what I have endeavoured to accomplish, is to explore why Social Work is so hard to characterise and

It can be reasoned that ‘social work’ can be recognised as far back as the recording of history. In my opinion and for this essay however, I am portraying the concept that Social Work as we know today, is ‘authoritatively’ characterised through its first beginnings in formal education. Philanthropist and artist, Octavia Hill is often commended in literature, as a pioneer towards the conception of establishing Social Work as a profession (Steyaert, 2013). By 1973, Octavia had begun to provide training for those wishing to become involved with her work within housing support. The 1890’s saw regular lectures occurring in London City, with The School of Sociology, delivering a two year course covering theory and practice in 1903 (Healy, 2008). Other disciplines presented their courses as ‘… social and philanthropic work.’ (Davis,

I propose that it was around the time of welfare reform and changes in government ideology, (in relation to social and economic difficulties) that, the circular debate of how to educate Social Workers began. To train as a generic Social Worker or should Social Workers specialise? It is my belief that generic training focuses on the skills and tools, underpinned by theories and modules, required to work towards a holistic style of practice. Every review that has taken place has talked about working with ‘the family’; the environment surrounding a person; what they do not state is to interact with only the individual themselves. Transferable