The Social Work Profession - Research Paper Example

Social Work is a Professional based on Knowledge, Skills and Values BY YOU YOUR SCHOOL INFO HERE HERE Social Work is a Profession based on Knowledge, Skills and Values Introduction The social work profession is a dynamic career field requiring multiple competencies to produce effective outcomes in individuals, communities and groups. The International Federation of Social Workers (2011, p.1) defines social work as “the promotion of social change, problem-solving in human relationships and empowerment of individuals to enhance well-being”. There are a variety of social work models that are relevant under this definition, including humanistic models, cognitive models, and the behavioralist approaches. Which type of approach will be the most effective will depend upon the clients and their unique psycho-social needs and the capabilities of the social worker to provide best practice assistance to clients. Social work is a profession based on knowledge, skills and values that must be translated into effective social work outcomes, meaning the social worker must maintain diverse, multi-faceted consciousness and education to achieve positive social results. Concepts and Social Work Evidence Through the utilization of a variety of different theories and approaches, social workers are able to both influence behavior of clients and help individuals interact more effectively with their environment (IFSW 2011). One of the most effective models of social work is the humanistic approach, one which focuses on the foundation of Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. The humanistic model of social work is a client-centric model offering warmth, positive mutual regard for the client, empathy and understanding (Leskosek, 2009). Humanistic models allow the social worker to build positive interpersonal relationships, building client perceptions of social belonging, promoting self-esteem development, and the provision of security to fulfill important inherent client needs at the psycho-social level. Thus, in order to provide effective social work outcomes, knowledge must be gleaned in areas of sociological theory, psychological theory, and relevant models such as social learning theory. To provide humanistic-based assistance requires competencies in education in human behavior, biopsychosocial-spiritual perspectives, and diversity (Western Kentucky University, 2009). Social work theory also provides the behavioral approach to assisting clients. Behavioral models assume that the client is either frustrated or aggressive in their coping skills. The social worker under this model attempts to create conscious connections between maladjusted coping systems to either strengthen or weaken desired behaviors (Leskosek, 2009). Through either classical conditioning or operant conditioning, behaviors can be modified to facilitate more effective social outcomes. Social work also provides the cognitive model, one in which it is assumed that clients create their own perception of reality through learned experiences (Leskosek). The social worker points out divergent thinking patterns in the client and then promotes several support strategies to change improper thinking. This is a methodology by which behaviors and attitudes are changed in the client by pointing out logical connections between self-concept and social problem-solving to provide the client with alternative models of thinking and assessing relationships and environment. Though there are many additional models of social work, the humanistic approach, cognitive approach and behavioralist perspective require the social worker to maintain diverse and dynamic skills and knowledge in multiple domains of study (ranging from psychology to the scientific analysis methodology) to achieve effective client outcomes. A social worker must understand the dynamics of human relationships, what fundamental attitudes and psychological characteristics build the foundation of these relationships, and maintain the adaptability to use multiple strategies based upon assessment and analysis of client needs. Social work requires that the social worker and the client maintain a therapeutic relationship, including the provision of knowledge of the various resources that can assist the client (NASW, 2005). They must, then, be aware of the variety of resource networks available to the client, facilitating education and guidance along with the many complex competencies required of this profession. Competencies – Skills, Knowledge and Values The skills required of the social worker are vigorous, including educational learning and human behavior understandings. The most fundamental skill required of the social worker is the ability to conduct qualitative and quantitative research and build experience in research methodology. Why is this? Consider a client situation in which the individual is exhibiting recognizable anti-social behaviors that are corrupting the quality of life of the client. A competent social worker is able to excavate the intangible characteristics of the client lifestyle, including social and family dynamics, historical patterns of relationships during development and early adulthood, and comparisons of existing case study research on what outcomes are known to be most effective for anti-social members of society (as three relevant examples). A competent social worker understands how to glean important information either through statistical assessment or qualitative assessment (such as interviewing those in the client environment) to gain new perspectives on what actually serves as the foundation for maladjusted beliefs or coping mechanisms. This is why conducting client-centric research is critical to effective social work: It would be irresponsible for an individual charged with promoting social justice and human rights to dismiss the importance of socially-based client research. It is critical that the social worker first assess the client’s characteristics, either psychological or environmentally-programmed, that are creating negative outcomes in the client lifestyle. To run under any assumptions, such as stating that anti-social behaviors are a product of poor parental relationships during development, would be deemed negligence on behalf of the social worker. The social worker must have the skills to competently address multiple factors leading to the development of anti-social attitudes and behaviors, correlating vital data from multiple sources related to the client to build an effective hypothesis of what is driving neurotic or confused behaviors. The most important element of knowledge in the social work profession is gained by understanding theories of life course development. Under most respected psychological and sociological models, individuals at different stages of their lives have differing values and principles that are molded through experience or historical relationships. Working with elderly clients, as one example, will require empathic relationship development, focusing on fears of aging, discrimination, or any other problem facing older clients that are leading to poor lifestyle and social outcomes. Older clients fear issues such as death and dying that are not prevalent in younger populations, thus requiring the social worker to be adaptable to characteristics of various age demographics to provide effective support and guidance. A social worker cannot provide streamlined or homogenous support among very diverse populations of individuals and groups in society when issues of life course development are unique that can create disturbed cognitive processes or generalized mistrust of the social environment. One of the most fundamental values of the social work profession is promoting dignity and self-worth of clients. This cannot be accomplished without first understanding what aspects of life course development have led to social problems and then deconstructing factors creating negative coping. To provide customized support, the social worker must understand all of the complexities associated with various life stages to create an effective and targeted action plan for improvement. The most important value for the social worker is the promotion of social justice. This theory states that “each person possesses an inviolability founded on justice that even the welfare of society as a whole cannot override” (Rawls, 2005, pp.3-4). A competent social worker is able to improve their own emotional intelligence, breaking down biases and stereotypes that might be pre-existing inherently to provide more effective social justice outcomes. There must, first, be the establishment of a genuine commitment to helping the client, utilizing diversity focus and removing barriers caused by prejudices inherent in the social worker. The social worker must operate under the conception of ethical relativism, the belief that there is no singular model by which to judge right versus wrong in a society (Swoyer, 2003). Moral relativism believes that society should tolerate the actions and behaviors of others even when there is disagreement about the moral and ethical constructs of a particular belief or behavior (Blackford, 2010). Not all in society will believe that the social worker is providing maximum utility for all stakeholders in society during the course of social work practice. A competent social worker must overcome these divisions in ethical programming that are unique in a social population to provide effective benefits for clients. This means being able to justify and defend the social principles and values utilized in a client improvement program when a variety of differing social standards act as judge and jury regarding choice of approach. The social worker must be a social advocate with customized approaches for each client to achieve positive social justice promotion in an environment where conflicting moral and ethical values attempt to moderate or arbitrate social worker competency and methodology. Reflection and Implications for Future Practice Nearly everyone in society maintains inherent biases, prejudices and stereotypes about certain groups or individuals in society that are not easily broken down as they are gleaned through experience and influenced by existing social norms. At the same time, the social worker is charged with promoting social justice to include improving client perceptions of self-worth and dignity. Even though it was previously established that a fundamental skill for social work is understanding how to conduct qualitative and quantitative research, I realize the importance of improving emotional intelligence to achieve positive social gains. The case worker must be able to step outside of their own social evaluation system, considering empathetic values toward the needs of the client. This requires a professionalism that is unparalleled in many domains of social knowledge, removing discriminatory thinking and pre-conception from the client interventions. In reflection, this has been one of the most difficult factors as I move toward achievement of social work credentials. In order to facilitate more effective interpersonal relationship development between social worker and client, intolerance and pre-judgment must be removed from the program equation which, oftentimes, works against pre-existing beliefs about certain groups. The internal struggles to remove bigotry and introduce impartiality into certain client interventions is difficult and requires an individual with significant self-control and empathic programming. My recognition of the importance of removing inherent biases has significant implications for future practice. It was determined that knowledge of life course development is critical for effective social work along with the value of promoting social justice. To be a competent and efficient case worker means removing pre-existing stigma about certain groups (such as elderly clients) which can, as justified by actual experience, conflict with long-standing values and principles held by the social worker. By removing layers of partiality intrinsically molded, the social worker is only then equipped to take a humanistic approach that focuses on mutual self-worth and respect. It would be beneficial to conduct future research on how to combat inherent, long-standing prejudices to promote better relationship development. With the most fundamental value in social work being the promotion of social justice, it is critical to remain impartial even if it conflicts with powerful attitudes that can serve to segregate the client from the social worker. Conclusion The ability to conduct ample research, promote social justice, and gain knowledge about life course development are the most important aspects of social work. I see this profession as one that requires multiple competencies, both academic-based and psychologically-based, to achieve effective client outcomes. A competent social worker must understand their own personality constructs and what drives intolerant thinking and then apply this emotional intelligence in a way that provides greater meaning for clients in need. It will be impossible for a social worker that does not consider how their own attitudes and principles impact the quality of intervention between client and social worker. To legitimately use client-centered models, such as the humanistic approach, the social worker must be equipped with open-mindedness and acceptance of others if there are to be meaningful social connections made between client and social worker. By using research data as a foundational tool of knowledge about client needs, the broadminded and professional social worker is now equipped to provide guidance to improve the cognitive or environmental aspects impacting diverse clients. References Blackford, Russell. (2010). Sam Harris’ The Moral Landscape, Journal of Evolution and Technology, 21(2), pp.53-62. International Federation of Social Workers. (2011). Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles. Retrieved December 12, 2012 from http://www.academia-research.com/filecache/instr/r/e/777384_resource_1.pdf Leskosek, Vesna. (2009). Theories and Methods of Social Work – Exploring Different Perspectives, University of Ljubljana. NASW. (2005). NASW Standards for Social Work in Health Care Settings, National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved December 15, 2012 from http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/standards/NASWHealthCareStandards.pdf Rawls, John. (2005). A Theory of Justice. Universal Law Publishing Co. Swoyer, Chris. (2003). Relativism – Section 1.2, Stanford University. Retrieved December 14, 2012 from http://plato.stanford.edu/entries/relativism/#1.2 Western Kentucky University. (2009). Essential Social Work Knowledge, Values and Skills, Department of Social Work. Retrieved December 13, 2012 from http://www.wku.edu/socialwork/documents/fielddownloads/social_work_knowledge_skills_and_values.doc Read More