My Personal Stance as a Social Worker - Assignment Example

My Personal Stance as a Social Worker In a world that is becoming increasingly jaded due to the deterioration of moral values and the blurring of right and wrong, people continue to feel. Sometimes, it seems that as the world evolves with the rise of technology, the domination of media and onward progression of globalization, people get lost in the overwhelming changes happening around them or cope by withdrawing into themselves or experience nervous break downs. Amidst the breakthroughs of science and technology, and the modifications of moral standards, people still need basic care, acceptance and understanding of their humanity. One career that promotes such is Social Work. Van Nijnatten (2006) explains that social workers aim to enhance people’s ability to care for themselves and to promote their participation in the social process. A successful social worker has a broad knowledge of various organizational and networking systems that provide services and support to the varying needs of the client. On top of this is a vast understanding of the inner workings of a client – how he may think of his situation and how he feels about it especially in times of crisis. Communication skills should also be sharpened because “in conversations with the professional, clients speak out about their pains and sorrows, and about their hope and beliefs.” (Van Nijnatten, 2006, p.133). With children, social workers take on a more critical role, as they adjust to the developmental stages and needs of the child client. Like the parents’ role, a social worker helps the child to find the words that enable him to express himself well. When the child feels empowered enough to become the author of his life story, he becomes better able to reconstruct his life. (Van Nijnatten, 2006). Social workers are essential in the problem management of children at risk. They become part of a group of advocates that protect children from harm, or if such children are already abused, social workers alleviate their pain and help in preventing the damage caused by the abuse to elevate further. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC) declares, "the child, by reason of his physical and mental immaturity, needs special safeguards and care, including appropriate legal protection, before as well as after birth". Article 2.2 further details, “States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to ensure that the child is protected against all forms of discrimination or punishment on the basis of the status, activities, expressed opinions, or beliefs of the childs parents, legal guardians, or family members” (UNCRC, 1989). Adults, especially social workers working with children now become duty-bound to protect and help children recover from any harm and still grow up to live productive lives as adults. Anda et al (2005) discussed in their study that the traumatic experiences of abused or neglected children often stays on with the victim into adulthood, and can even influence the raising of that victim’s own children. More often than not, abused children repeat the pattern with their own children. Some children may never fully recover from the trauma, resulting in lifelong depression, anxiety, and personality disorders. Other individuals may be predisposed to engage in prostitution, pornography, drug abuse, or crime (Browne & Finkelhor, 1986; Bryant & Range, 1995; Ferrara, 2002; Malinoskey-Rummell & Hansen, 1993). The long-term consequences of child maltreatment can be so devastating that it has been called "soul murder" (Shengold, 1989). It takes special skills and a compassionate nature to be a social worker for children at risk. She usually becomes the child or adolescent’s strongest motivator. However, it is her task to help her clients to become independent. She tries to encourage their capacity for reflection and to delineate their persons from the problem itself. This is because clients are often so immersed in their concerns that they perceive that they are unable to change anything, often becoming hopeless (Van Nijnatten, 2006). Even young children need to have developmentally appropriate information and the opportunity to participate in decision-making. For adolescents the need for personal control seemed especially important (Jones, 2006). Open communication is likewise crucial to the family of the child in a social work case. Openness and honesty regarding their child’s case is to be discussed by the family members, the social worker in a sensitive and compassionate manner (Jones, 2006). Parents, most especially need assurance that they will not be abandoned by the people helping them. The quality of support the social worker provides is necessary for the healing process of the family to ensue. Many factors are to be considered to validate that a child is truly abused or neglected. A trained social worker assesses a child suspected of child abuse or neglect. First, she sees to it that the developmental needs of the child are met by the parents or guardian and that the child is adequately safeguarded from harm. Next is to assess if the parents are able to promote the child’s health and development and that no evidence of neglect is detected. The social worker also studies whether the microsystem of the family functioning and history as well as the mesosystem of the wider family and environmental factors have on the parents’ capacity to respond to the child’s needs (Brofenbrenner, 1979). These factors determine if action is required to safeguard and promote the welfare of the child by an outside source such as a social worker and other agencies concerned with the welfare of children (Every Child Matters, n.d., p. 130):. In the United States, multi-agency services follow a “system of care” model. For instance, the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program promote the provision of mental health services within the context of a System of Care. This “weaves mental health and other supports into a coordinated fabric of services to meet the diverse, highly individual, and changing health, educational, and supportive needs of children and adolescents with severe emotional disturbance” (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2001). It takes so much commitment and dedication to be an effective social worker, not to mention the skills and knowledge she must possess in order to carry out her job well. However, such high regard given to their wisdom by her clients must not go to her head. Van Nijnatten (2006) warns that social workers maintain an appropriate distance and indicates to the client the limits on any possibilities of assistance to also discourage the client from developing an unhealthy attachment to them. Although it is not realistic that she can do everything, she should maintain a never-say-die attitude and exhaust all possibilities that may help the client achieve positive outcomes. The attitude of objectivity also serves to protect the social workers themselves, who may be deluded in thinking they are the sole redeemer of the client from the problems he or she faces. (Van Nijnatten, 2006). Social workers must be wary of this messianic belief as it may overwhelm them into thinking they are all-important, and may develop an attitude of superiority. They must always keep in mind that they belong to the human service profession and not in any way involved in their own ego-boosting. Personal and Professional Experiences in Social Work with Children I have always loved children. I find them adorable and am drawn to their candidness and innocence. I enjoy their funny antics and delight in the fact that they are not even aware that they are funny. It is refreshing to take on a child’s positive life perspective when most of the adults I know have paradigms that are filled with angst and suspicion and wariness of being hurt due to the negative life experiences they have had. My passion for being involved in social work with children sprung from my strong reactions to news of children being neglected, abused, maltreated, raped and murdered disseminated by media. I feel so much anger and sadness in knowing that there are people out there who are out to hurt children and strip them of their innocence. Personally, I enjoyed a happy childhood. I was never wanting of my basic needs and even had some little luxuries to spare although my family was not really wealthy. My sheltered upbringing made me expect that all children have the same life as I did, but as I stepped out of my parents’ shadow, I came to realize that some children are not as fortunate. This makes me feel somewhat guilty of having had so many privileges while some children go without and sorely lack opportunities of experiencing a good quality of life. This compassion for children fed my passion to help them by being a professional social worker. In striving to gain professional skills, I volunteered to share some of my free time at the children’s home for abandoned children run by nuns and concerned citizens in the city I grew up in. There, I was exposed to a variety of cases of child abuse, child neglect, and victims of crimes. It was pathetic to witness cases that were much too painful and depressing to take in. I knew at that time, all I could do was provide care and understanding by helping feed and bathe the children and entertaining them with some simple arts and crafts activities and storytelling sessions. I felt fulfilled in being able to alleviate some of the pain they have been through. I was able to observe some professional social workers in counselling sessions and admired the wisdom they seemed to possess. I knew I needed to learn good communication skills as advised by Van Nijnatten (2006). I look forward to being adept in a variety of counselling skills drawn from a vast knowledge of counselling theories. I believe Anda et al.’s (2005) report that the children I will be working with in my future career have gone through so much trauma in their lives that counselling interventions can help them with. Crisis management is also one thing I need to learn as I know that there will be situations where I will be involved in critical circumstances in my work as a professional social worker like mediating in behalf of my clients. I know that in such situations, I need to keep my composure and think on my feet so as to dissipate any tension and resolve any conflict before it escalates to a worse scenario. Conclusion Being new in the world of Social Work, I hold very idealistic views and goals. My main strength is my passion to reach out to help others, most especially disadvantaged children. My eagerness to learn is manifested by my being a good listener and ability to carry out instructions well while understanding the consequences of my actions. I know I have much to learn before I can claim to be an expert in the field. I need to be more organized with my time management so that I can accomplish all my goals. I am fortunate to have the opportunities afforded to me so I can be knowledgeable about the things needed to be a successful social worker. I have come up with a professional development plan in order to reach the dream I envision for myself. I am aware that the social work profession does not promise material wealth. It is more of a vocation that only the most committed and most dedicated people can respond to and manage effectively. Its rewards are a sense of purpose and fulfillment that one has contributed to bringing back humanity in a world that is slowly losing it. Professional Action Plan Timeline Goals Action Now until next year Short term: To be able to learn more about my interest social work. To be able to help others in need of my help and skills. To develop better communication skills Study harder for the courses I am taking at university Read up on current trends in social work and immersing myself in journals in Social Work. Helping people with their problems by listening and providing good advise while being objective. Within the next 5 years Medium Term: Attend seminars/ workshops or take short online classes on social work. Become a member of a social work association/ institution Finish my degree in Social Work Be employed in a part-time job, preferably related to children and families so I can learn more about their nature and dynamics. Solidify my intentions to pursue higher degrees in Social Work Study well and comply with all my requirements Vigilantly seek opportunities in learning about Counselling Techniques and acquiring special licenses in my selected counselling approach to use in my future work. Keep reading up issues related to social work and pursue further studies Meet people who have been successful in the field of social work so my intention to pursue a higher degree will be encouraged further. Meet people from allied professions whom I can network with in my future practice. This will build my contacts for my default “system of care” multi-disciplinary team. Within the next 10 years Long Term: Become a practicing professional social worker, preferably running a Social service institution for children and families in need. Be an expert in the field by completing Masters’ and PhD degrees Give back to the profession by taking on teaching Social work courses in a college or university. Keep honing my social work skills Keep networking with other professionals and organizations who can help me in my advocacy for social work. Work on acquiring funds for my social work organization/ charity. Conduct speaking engagements to motivate future social workers . References Anda, R. F., V. J. Felitti, J. D. Bremner, J. D. Walker, C. Whitfield, B. D. Perry, S. R. Dube, and W. H. Giles.(2005). The enduring effects of abuse and related adverse experiences in childhood: A convergence of evidence from neurobiology and epidemiology. European Archives of Psychiatry and Clinical Neuroscience 256(3): 174–86. Bronfenbrenner, U. (1979) The Ecology of Human Development.Harvard University Press. Cambridge. Browne, A., and Finkelhor, D. (1986). Impact of child sexual abuse: A review of the research. Psychological Bulletin, 99(1), 66-77. Bryant, S. L., & Range, L. M. (1995). Suicidality in college women who were sexually and physically abused and physically punished by parents. Violence & Victims, 10, 195-201. Every Child Matters: Change for Children. Retrieved on November 22, 2011 from http://www.everychildmatters.gov.uk Ferrara, F. F. (2002) Childhood sexual abuse: Developmental effects across the lifespan. (Pacific Grove, Calif.: Brooks/Cole). Jones, B.L., (2006) Companionship, Control, and Compassion: A Social Work Perspective on the Needs of Children with Cancer and their Families at the End of Life, Journal of Palliative Medicine, Volume 9, Number 3 Malinosky-Rummell, R., & Hansen, D. J. (1993). Long-term consequences of childhood physical abuse, Psychological Bulletin, 114, 68-79. Shengold, L. (1989). Soul murder: The effects childhood abuse and deprivation. New Haven, CT: Yale University Press. United Nations (1989) Convention on the rights of the child (Geneva, United Nations). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (2001) Annual Report to Congress on the Evaluation of the Comprehensive Community Mental Health Services for Children and Their Families Program Van Nijnatten, C. (2006) Finding the words: social work from a developmental perspective, Journal of Social Work Practice Vol. 20, No. 2, pp. 133–144 Read More