In order for social workers to be consider excellent in their practice, they must have the following five characteristics; compassionate, committed, collaborative, creative and competent. In my opinion, it is crucial for social workers to establish a therapeutic relationship with their client. In doing so, the social worker will be show genuine concern and sympathy for their client. A social worker is very passionate and able to put themselves in the client’s shoes to better understand what they are going through. The text state, “Compassionate means to have an emotional understanding and empathetic appreciation of the experiences of clients and family” (Bentley, 2002, p. 13). Being committed means to be dedicated not only to your work, but to the client and their families as well. An outstanding social worker is very dedicated to helping the client to be able to be self-sufficient. “Committed social workers not only think about their own professional development …show more content…
I believe working together can help relieve pressure and burnout. “Collaborative means having the ability to relate to mental health clients, families, and other providers in a way that conveys respect and appreciation for their legitimacy and their perspective” (Bentley, 2002, p. 15) I think what works for one patient may not work for another, therefore it’s important for a social worker to be creative and treating their client. Social workers who are creative are in tune with their client and can steer their client into moving forward by using their imaginations to come up with methods that will put the client and ease while motivating them. The text states, “Creative means using your professional imagination and clinical judgment to apply all or any piece of knowledge or skill to a unique and different situation” (Bentley, 2002, p.
Caring for an individual who is facing a life threatening illness is often completed by a multidimensional team, including doctors, nurses, therapists, and caregivers, as well as family members. Social workers are an integral part of this team, since they are usually the healthcare workers that are involved in the evaluation and assessment of patients and their family members’ needs and concerns at the end ...
This paper will entail my reflections on three main areas pertaining to my own personal experiences. I will describe the influence of my own life experiences, give my particular world view, and describe what advantages and disadvantages, power, and privileges I will bring to my interaction as a social worker.
Social Work is a helping profession that strives to help the community on micro, mezzo, and macro levels. It is an investment of self to offer services and help to those in need. Areas of service can include, but are not limited to, traumatic situations, family situations, and child protection. As in most social service professions, the field of social work can often times take a toll on the emotional and physical stability of a social worker. One side effect from working in a helping profession is compassion fatigue. As a result, the National Association of Social Workers stresses the importance of self-care and its vitality in ensuring the social worker does not get burnt out by the profession.
Identify and explain the three major sources of conflict and misinterpretations in social work practice: culture-bound values, class bound values, and language variables.
As a social work professional, you must take into account your own personal values before you can be an effective worker in this field. Social workers sometimes need to put their own values aside when working with clients who don’t share their same ideals. Clients are diverse and are not going to always have the same values that the worker has. Social workers need to be professional and adhere to the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) guidelines when working with any client.
Throughout the Social Work Program at Winona State University-Rochester, I have been able to expand my knowledge about what it means to be a social worker. Prior to joining this program, when I thought of a social worker, I thought of someone who is highly motivated, compassionate, supportive, and someone who wants to make a difference in somebody’s life. Although this definition is true, overtime I have been able to expand this definition. Now, they are also someone who builds relationships with clients during what are often their lowest points in their lives and they are a person who often will put others needs before their own. Social workers use their knowledge about maintaining a person’s dignity and worth and rely on skills that help them understand people within their environment, and using their training to help people from all walks of life both on the micro level and the macro level.
Social Workers are very important to everyday life. They are the ones that help people in need when they have nobody else to turn too. Also, they provide resources and better understanding of predicaments that you could be experiencing. I will reflect on how the class has affected me, my own experiences and how some theories have connected to my life experiences, and lastly, if the class helped toward my major. This class is important for someone that wants to become a social worker and wants to learn about the different theories used. Also, learning about me during this process of completing this class is fun and a way to see if the social work profession is right for me. There was many theories explained throughout this class but many will not be said because it wasn’t the main points that I was trying to get across. There are two tools that are used that can help a social worker organize a client’s life: Bubble map and Briefcase exercise. There are so many different ways a social worker can help a client deal with their problems and come up with a solution. It is up to that social worker to identify the client’s problem and see what theory fits.
Introduction The role of social workers in society is to help extend opportunities and resources to promote equality and social justice to their clients. A successful social worker’s goal is to positively impact the lives of the most vulnerable individuals in society. In a particular community, the role of the social worker is to represent and advocate for their clients. The social worker uses their expertise and professional skills to improve the quality of life by raising the awareness level of their community’s population.
We know where we have been, where we are now and where we need to go - but how do we get there? A map. Theory is a map. It notes any number of known landmarks (previously achieved or applied solutions) and obstacles (issues or problems) and gives us direction so that we are able to navigate intelligently and arrive safely (minimal discomfort to all) at our destination (desired outcome/s).
Social Workers are in various different roles within society such as: therapists, advisors and administrators. These respective vocations focus on creating an environment that evokes both warmth and understanding. A social worker with brass or smug qualities will not incite trust in patrons. Social worker with such qualities affirms the belief that a naturally empathetic personality is fundamental and empathy is a main component of my character. To give an illustration of this attribute my partner’s father has cancer and though our views religiously, politically and culturally quite different he confides primarily to me. Active listening plays a key role in our discussions, because to be empathetic one needs grasp the perspective of other individuals and understand their
Social Work is a rewarding and demanding career which gives me the courage to support those who are in need. To become a successful social worker, I am aware of the responsibilities which come along with it. I will ensure that all service users with different age groups, religion, culture, beliefs and gender are all treated equally and meet their basic standards of care; without having to face any boundaries or implications. Also, by aiding them through any struggles that they may face, whether it be physical, emotional or social. I am a determined, patient and responsible individual who can undertake and complete tasks to the best of my ability; in difficult and pressured circumstances. I am ready to acquire and use the relevant knowledge,
Social work is a multifaceted, ever adapting profession, which has had many purposes and identities through the years. It is imperative for the vocation to constantly evolve alongside the social climate and the new ways in which we identify and treat those who are in need of support. Social workers can be required to take on the role of counsellor, advocate, case-worker, partner, assessor of risk and need, and at times (as the government seeks to push social work further and further towards the health and education sectors) a servant of the state. The profession is dramatically subject to affection by societal change, thus demanding social workers have a duty to be up to date with the latest developments in understanding how and why people get to the point of requiring social work intervention, and how best to prevent and cater for it.
Social workers must have a certain level of integrity in their field of practice. This characteristic is important because it helps a person be true to their own beliefs and allows them to set their own boundaries. Integrity can show a social worker what types of clients they are comfortable working with and what types of professions they should not be in. Social workers who have integrity are able to put their energy into cases that they are capable of handling and will have less opportunities of harming the client in any way. When a person is able to show integrity, they stay true in what they believe in and work
After coming to North Carolina Central University I have distinct opinion of what the social work profession is. Before, when I was still in high school I had a poor general idea of social workers. I was aware that school social workers had a degree but, I was under the impression that such degree was not needed to work in a place like the department of social services and both positions carried the same title. I knew of someone who worked at DSS for many years and they had begun working there straight out of high school. I know now that I was wrong, however, was my predetermine opinion that much different than the public’s? The only reason I have a more precise knowledge of the field is because I am a social work major. However, the vast majority of the population are not social work majors and thus their impression is based on what they have experienced and seen. In this paper I argue the different publics views based on interviews, readings, and personal experience.
The case work process and situation let me understand the complexities involved in social life. It does not only act as a helping relationship for the client but the case worker as well. Overall, the feeling of being able to help someone in the field gives me immense satisfaction. Though the process is tedious and long, it requires long- term commitment by the social worker to go through this process and make a positive impact on the lives of individuals.