Social work is a broad concept . It does not have a definite connotation. To a common man social work means philanthropy or charity. It can be defined according to a person’s outlook on social work. According to Sheppard, social work is the occupying space ‘between the mainstream and the marginal society’ (Sheppard, 2006).
The social work profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human relationships, and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at points where people interact with their environments.
Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work (IFSW, 2000).
O’Connor et al (2006, p 9) in their definition of social work and social care, on the ‘interaction between individuals and social arrangements’ highlighted the promotion of equitable relationships and the development of people’s power and control over their own lives. Zastro (2004), expresses the goal of social welfare as fulfilling ‘the social, financial, health and recreational requirements of all individuals in the society. According to Solas, a cardinal value of social work practice is social justice. One of the main social constraints is poverty. The rich is getting richer and the poor is getting the poorer. The gap between the rich and poor not only persists, but continues to widen and the ideology justifying it has managed to be pervasive. Social workers are charged with the responsibility of bringing to public notice the values, attitudes, behaviours and social structures and economic imperatives that cause or contribute to the oppression of human welfare and rights.
Scholarship Essay for Social Work
My desire to become a social worker began as a young middle school student when I learned about the suffering of children by abusive adults through a non-fiction story we read in class. At that time, I just wanted to “rescue” the children. Since then I have matured through serving families and children within the child welfare system and my mission has broadened. I have worked in various childcare ...
They are further charged with the duty to respond, with passion and hope, to human need wherever and however it is manifested, and to work towards the attainment of social justice for individuals, groups and communities in a local and global context. (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2012, p. 16) According to Parton, a social worker, over the years acts as an advocate and mediator between those individuals, groups and communities who are actually or potentially excluded from the mainstream of society (Parton 2004).
Sheafor and Horejsi (2008, pp. -5) consider that the primary purpose of social work should focus on the interconnectedness and interdependence of people and the power of social relationships that underpins a profession devoted to helping people improve the quality and effectiveness of those interactions and relationships- in other words to enhance their social functioning. The broad overview of the mission of social work and its core values complied by Reamer (1998) from North American literature on social work values and ethics includes •Respect of persons •Valuing individuals’’ capacity for change Individual worth and dignity •Commitment to social change and social justice •Non-discrimination •Equal opportunities •Service to others •Providing individuals with the opportunities to realise their potential •Professional integrity •Professional competence •Client empowerment •Client self determination •Respect for diversity According to Chenoweth & McAuliffe (2012), these values are focused on the individual and on the worker- client relationship with little recognition of structural factors such as poverty, racism that influence human service practice.
The two distinct themes in social care are ‘traditional values’ which includes respect for persons, paternalism and protection, normalisation and social role valorisation, equality of opportunity, anti-discriminatory practice and partnership The ‘radical values’ includes citizenship, participation, community presence, equality, anti- oppressive practice, empowerment and user control. (Braye and Preston- shoot, 1995) Clark (2000) extends the argument by saying that social work values- a term he contends is problematic- should be about both social care nd social control, focussing on four key areas •The worth and uniqueness of every person •The entitlement to justice •The aspiration to freedom •The essentiality of community As mentioned above, social work is a complex and broad concept. The diverse and contradictory explanations on meaning and need for social work has been discussed in this essay from different viewpoints. It draws a clear picture on about the various need and importance of social work. It also underpinned the foundation of values and ethics in social work. REFERNCES Braye,S. & Preston Shoot,M. (1995).
The Term Paper on Social Work Practice
This is a screen play written by Michael Brooke in 1995 of two cross dressers who has won a New York Drag Queen contest. Ms. Vida Boheme biblically known as Patrick Swaynze and Noxeema Jackson Wesley Snipes begin a road trip to Hollywood California. As they begin their road trip they are persuaded to take the inexperienced drag princess Chi-Chi with them, who is taught the distinction of cross ...
Empowering practice in social care.
Buckingham, UK: Open University Press. Clark, C. (2000).
Social work ethics: Politics, principles and practice. Basingstoke, UK : Macmillan. Chenoweth, L. , & McAuliffe, D. (2012).
The road to social work & human service practice (3rd ed. ).
South Melbourne, Vic: Cengage Learning. O’Connor, I. , Hughes, M. ,Turney, D. ,Wilson,J. & Setterland,D. (2006).
Social work and social care practice (5th ed. ).
London: Sage Parton, N. (2004).
‘Post-Theories for Practice: Challenging the Dogmas’, In L. Davis & P. Leonard, (Eds. ); Social Work in a Corporate Era: Practices of Power and Resistance, (pp. 1-44), Ashgate, Burlington Vermont Sheafor, B. W. , & Horejsi, C. R. (2008).
Techniques and guidelines for social work practice (8th ed. ).
Boston: Allyn & Bacon Sheppard, M. (2006).
Social work and social exclusion: The idea of practice. Aldershot, UK: Ashgate Solas, J. (2008).
Social work and social justice: What are we fighting for? Australian Social Work, 61(2), 124-136. doi: 10. 1080/03124070801998384 Zastrow, C. (2004).
The Essay on Social Work Practice 2
... the article makes me realize the rapid evolution of social work practice due to the changing events and situations and how ... shift. The author gave historical background on social work practice before 1970 and how these practices evolve due to varied problems and ... it is important that a registered social worker be allowed to do clinical social work practice. Second point is on her statement ...
Introduction to social work and social welfare. Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole WEBLINKS International Federation of Social Workers http://www. ifsw. org
