Social work practice across diverse settings and specializations

Social Work Field

Perception of Social Work

Social work is a challenging profession that also helps one make a difference in the lives of others (CUW 2011). It aims at improving the overall functioning and well-being of people served. A social worker must have a genuine and special concern for the poor, marginalized, and the vulnerable. Social work is an art and a science at the same time. It fits service to the needs of the person or persons served. Social workers practice their profession almost everywhere. They are found in hospitals, schools, churches, courts, community agencies, child and family service centers, mental health centers and other settings. They function as school social workers, mental health counselors, community planners, administrators, child protective service workers and advocates of various causes (CUW).

Social work is a unique profession, which possesses unique features (CUW 2011). It is founded on liberal arts. It builds on its own knowledge base. It has a Code of Ethics and core values, which direct its practice. It goes by a holistic view of human situations and strengths. Its methods help individuals, families, organizations and communities. It recognizes and respects the dignity and worth of every person. It uses experience on hand-on basis through internships or field placements. And it is directed by a perspective of the person and the impact on the environment. The profession assists individuals and families at every age. Social workers provide counseling for adoption or a person grieving over the loss of a loved one and other situations in-between. They provide services in the micro level when given to individuals or families coping with life's problems. They serve on a macro level when they assist systems or large organizations (CUW).

2. Expanding Her Reach

To fit these requirements, a social worker needs to understand social policy and its origins (CUW 2011). She must develop interpersonal, analytical and critical-thinking skills, advocacy skills and competence and suitability to work with diverse groups. She observes the core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships and competence. She is aware that her primary goal and duty is to help those in need and address their social problems. She challenges social injustice. She upholds the inherent dignity of every person. She is trustworthy. She does her work competently and further enhances professional expertise (CUW). Professional expertise opens her to opportunities for leadership and management in the community, of organizations and enterprises.

Areas of Social Work

These are child and family, school, medical and public health and mental health (Smith 2011). A social worker who chooses to specialize in children and family helps them work their lives through, whether together or apart. She may work at day care centers, volunteer with a children's activity center or work at a community action center. A school social worker makes sure that students go through their education without or with a minimum of trouble. She can work as a student teacher, a teacher aide, a school counselor, child services staff member or playground assistant. She should be able to detect signs of students struggling with emotional problems, family situations or health problems, which affect their schooling. If she chooses to specialize in medical and public health, she will be involved in helping sick people recover and function well in society. She can work at a home health agency or in a long-term care facility. And if she chooses mental health, she will work with patients with a full range of illnesses from schizophrenia to substance abuse. She needs to be thoroughly acquainted with the disorders, their effects on the patient and his family and their options for treatment and assistance (Smith).

Ethical Decision-Making

The Code of Ethics for social workers pursues six objectives (Humphrey 2011). These are it identifies core values, establishes ethical standards, uses ethical decision-making when a dilemma arises, fosters accountability and socialization among new social workers, and specifies the appropriate procedure and process for discipline and sanction. An ethical dilemma is a situation, wherein a choice must be made between two or more conflicting ethical situations. Ethical decision-making is a process involved in dealing with ethical dilemmas in social work. It consists of determining the existence of a conflict and a plan for resolution. Membership in the NASW redounds to a commitment to its Code of Ethics. As a member, she needs to increase or further her understanding of the ethical standards set forth in the Code and how to use them appropriately in her practice. She also needs to take advantage of opportunities in gaining experience in ethical decision-making (Humphrey).

An Ethical Dilemma

This involves my unintentional discovery of information about a client in the course of a field seminar. I worked as a social work intern at a local family services agency. I was assigned to work with Verna Lopez, 28, in reunifying with her three children. The children, aged 11, 4 and 3, were sent to foster care when charges of neglect were proved against Verna who was a substance user. The two older children were sent to two separate foster care families, while the youngest was turned over to Verna's sister. Her drug addiction reduced her capability to care for her children. They also lived in substandard conditions, which threatened the health of all of them. While the children were in foster care, Verna tried to recover them. She attended and completed a drug treatment program. After completing the program, she claimed that she was already "drug-free." In the past, she tried completing two other programs, but she was able to complete only this third one.

Verna was able to re-acquire her children only two months ago. She has been drug-free for a number of months and has been able to meet the minimum standards of care for the children. During the field internship seminar, we exchanged information about respective cases. One of us placed in a local junior high school asked the rest for advice about a group she was handling. She changed the names of the involved group members, and one of them was "Mary." The intern described "Mary" and her fears of her family getting broken again after reuniting with her mother and siblings only recently. "Mary" said her mother was not using the "bad drugs" any more, but has been smoking pot with her boyfriend in the apartment. Her mother specifically instructed her not to tell anyone about her smoking pot or their family will be broken up again. "Mary" did not want her mother's social worker to know that she is using drugs again. I realized that "Mary" was the daughter of Verna. Verna strongly denied using drugs and looked "straight" during agency visits. I had no first-hand evidence of Verna's relapse.

I had to decide how to use the new information I accidentally found. I needed to determine II was obliged to report Verna's drug use from this new information. If I needed to, to whom should I report it? To whom do I owe it? If I must protect the children, I had to report the relapse, which is a threat to the children's safety. If I act as Verna's advocate, can I just overlook the new information and consider Verna's relapse an occasional case? My beliefs about family unity and the local foster care system are factors I have to consider. Will the risk be greater to the children if their unity is disrupted again? What are the harms and benefits of foster care? Are these greater than the consequences of Verna's repeat drug use? I am also concerned that Verna will simply deny the new information and this confrontation will damage our relationship. She is likely to ask for the source of information. Should I tell her it came from her daughter? If I do so, what will the consequences be to the daughter? The daughter will surely be offended if she learns that her confidential information is used to disrupt their family. She will no longer trust her own social worker and social workers in general.

I needed to identify professional values and obligations that clash against conflicting interests. One conflict is retaining the confidence of the daughter as against disclosing it against her wishes. Another is whether social workers can limit Verna's own determining whether her addiction is harmful or not to her children. I also needed to consult with more experienced colleagues and supervisors. It is also in the best interest of clients. Moreover, routine documentation brings me to assess my own values and experiences against the decision I have to make. I must also consider my legal obligations to report substance use.

I decided to recommend a check-up be conducted by the agency, which conducted the drug program attended by Verna. This will determine if she has had a relapse and counsel her against it. There was no need for the new information to be revealed and the confidence of Verna's daughter need not be damaged. I will also recommend to drug agencies to monitor the conditions of those who have been declared "drug-free" on a regular basis for a number of years.

5. Plans for Graduate Work

I gradually prepared for graduate work over the years. I am not taking any professional assignment or undertaking while I go through the academic coursework. This means 3/4 of each weekday or almost all of the day hours. I intend to just study when I get home until supper and to sleep early in order to conserve physical and mental energy. I expect to take the practicum sessions at agencies for 3 semesters. All personal and limited social interactions are reserved for the weekend. My daily workouts will be before I attending classes half-way in the morning.

My family and friends have been informed of my rigid schedule. There will be a minimum of unexpected events. I have saved for these years of study. I do not foresee any disruption in expenses, routine and health. I have consulted a nutritionist and a physician on the most suitable diet for this arduous mental and physical pursuit.