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Throughout my BSW journey, I feel as though I have gained the required knowledge to enter the social work practice environment. Through coursework and practicum's, I have learned how to reflect theory to practice. My practice will be guided by abiding by CASW Code of Ethics and incorporating social work theories and perspectives. To further my professional developmental needs and personal desire to be challenged, I will become a member of the NASW, enroll as a Registered Social Worker, and network with fellow BSW program alumni. Potential areas of practice include initially working as a child protection social worker for approximately five to ten years. From there, I think I will then further my education by completing a Masters in Social Work and either work with Children and Youth Mental Health or private counseling. I am fortunate and ecstatic to be close to completing my BSW and am looking forward to my future opportunities.
References
Canadian Association of Social Workers. (2016). Retrieved from: http://
www.casw-acts.ca/en.
Cummins, L., Sevel, J., & Pedrick, L. ( 2012). Social Work Skills for
Beginning Direct Practice: Text, Workbook, and Interactive Web-Based Case Studies (Third Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.
Hick, S. (2010). Social Work in Canada: An Introduction (Third Edition).
Toronto, Ontario: Thompson Educational Publishing, Inc.
Mattsson, T. (2014). Intersectionality as a Useful Tool: Anti-Oppressive
Social Work and Critical Reflection. Journal of Women and Social Work, 29(1) 8-17. DOI: 10.1177/ 0886109913510659.
McKenzie, B. & Wharf, B. (2016). Connecting Policy to Practice in the
Human Services (Fourth Edition). Don Mills, Ont.: Oxford University Press.
Sakamoto, I. and Pitner, R. (2005). Use of Critical Consciousness in Anti-
Oppressive Social Work Practice: Disentangling Power Dynamics at Personal and Structural Levels. British Journal of Social Work, 35, 435-452. doi: 10.1093/bjsw/bch190.
Ruch, G. (2014). ‘Helping Children Is a Human Process’: Researching the
Challenges Social Workers Face in Communicating with Children. British Journal of Social Work, 44, 2145–2162. doi:10.1093/bjsw/bct045.
Yuille, J. (1998). The Step-Wise Interview A Protocol For Interviewing
Children. Retrieved from: http://redengine.lawsociety.sk.ca/inmagicgenie/documentfolder/ac2062.pdf
Social work theories guide social work practice in a way that provides social worker's with explanations to the way in which clients behave in the manner they do. Social work theories are reassuring in a way, as they equip social worker's with the tools and sense of reasoning to help understand their client's often unique needs. Taking a psychodynamic theory approach help social worker's correlate the issues that clients have as adults are a result of their previous trauma (i.e., in childhood). Childhood experiences shape one's personality and further explain one's personality in terms of their conscious and unconscious forces. Many individuals would benefit from psychoanalysis (therapy that tries to reveal one's unconscious thoughts and desires, therefore revealing childhood trauma) as we often are unaware of the impact of events that occur in childhood (Cummins, Sevel & Pedrick, 2012).
A strengths based perspective used in social work utilizes values (inherent worth, dignity and self-determination) with clients and make them aware of their strengths and further ability to make change. Empowering clients to make change is the most beneficial way to ensure that individuals are changing because of their own doing, as opposed to being mandated to change and not really learning from it. I think the strengths based approach is more beneficial than that of the medical model, as it comes from within the client themselves. Focusing on terms of language, for example staying away from negative-based language (i.e., problems, deficits, issues, fixable, etc.) and using positive-based language (i.e., challenges, unusual behaviors, future-oriented and redirection of thinking), approaches the situation better and builds the positive relationship between the client and the social worker (Cummins, Sevel & Pedrick, 2012).
Areas of growth and learning throughout my BSW journey include the knowledge obtained from courses I previously identified, combined social work theories and an awareness of my sense of self and social location. I am aware and understand my social location and how it reflects my privileges and/or oppression upon others. In terms of my identity, I have a strong sense of who I am, where I came from and where I want to go. I am a confident individual and was fortunate to identify my identity at an early age from positive attachments and strong bonds built within my childhood. I am Caucasian, female, heterosexual, physically able, educated, and fit within the middle class of society. I am fortunate to be able to have accomplished what I have in life so far (married, had two children, two undergraduate degrees, stable employment and overall good health) and do not take it for granted. I plan on taking my social location seriously and utilizing it while I help other throughout my social work career.
To change inequality, marginalization and oppression, one must take approaches at both micro and macro levels of social work. Mattsson (2014) suggest critical reflection to promote social work awareness of oppression and unconsciously effecting macro levels of change. Social worker's have a clearer understanding of structural social problems that may be at a macro/mezzo level (far above what the client is aware of or understands); therefore, engaging and critically reflecting at the micro level within the client/social work relationship, social worker's are able to better assist their client's need, further promoting and achieving social change. Use of praxis is beneficial when critically reflecting as it connects theory with practice. Being aware of all levels of social work (micro/macro/mezzo) will ensure social worker's are able to work between direct and indirect social work, while working amongst individuals (micro), groups and communities (mezzo), and organizational law and policies (macro) (Hick, 2010).
Anti-oppressive practice is generally dominant in the social work profession as it aims to promote equality and social justice. I feel as though I will practice through this lens predominantly as it enables social worker's to positively make use of their power to empower vulnerable individuals in creating social change. Due to the degree of power that social worker's bring to the client/social worker relationship; I will focus on an anti-oppressive perspective throughout my practice to ensure that power imbalances do not emerge between myself and my clients, while respecting their diversity, vulnerability and oppressed needs (Sakamoto & Pitner, 2005).
After I completed my Bachelor of Arts Degree in 2006, I had intended on becoming a middle school teacher; however, I met my current husband and we decided to start a family. After our youngest son turned three years old, I decided it was time to return to the work force and got a position working as a team assistant with the Ministry of Children and Family Development (MCFD). While working with the MCFD and specifically directly with social workers, I realized I wanted to be a social worker. While I continued to work on a part-time basis, I attended Vancouver Island University's online BSW program, on a part-time basis. While it was difficult at times to juggle working, school work and family needs, I knew that I was not only doing the right thing for my family's future, but I was also teaching my children that university is important and setting and achieving goals is possible. I feel as though with my knowledge and education experience, combined with my work and practicum experience, I will be able to be a confident and effective social worker.
The way in which individuals engage within their families and community depends on their connection within each relationship. One's behavior is dependent on their environment and vice versa. Hick (2010) states "social systems theory approach integrates knowledge about human behavior and knowledge about the influence of social environment on behavior. The goal of this type of social work practice is to understand how people and their environment's influence each other to shape responses at both individual and social levels" (p. 58). Furthermore, establishing a positive and trusting client/social worker relationship to assess the needs of the individual and further providing them with the necessary resources they require to succeed will be an integral part of my career as an effective social worker.
Throughout my BSW journey, I have learned immensely about social work theories, perspectives and values. Through the courses required to complete the BSW program (i.e., social policy and welfare, community social work theory and practice, research methods, practice skills, human development, child abuse and neglect, contemporary perspectives, interpersonal communication and law), I was able to unite theory into practice throughout both my third year practicum (completed with a Child and Youth with Special Needs team) and fourth year child welfare specialization practicum (completed with an intake and investigation team). My previous perceptions of the social work profession were those of many, where I thought being a social worker was merely ripping families apart, inadequate foster homes and overburdening caseloads. I was unaware of the various diverse populations that social worker's actually work with, such as: groups and communities; children and youth; health care; gender equality and sexual orientation; Aboriginal individuals; physically and developmentally disabled; and the elderly. It was not until I started working with the MCFD that I would align with the Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW) (2016) definition of social work being "a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal problems but also with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence" (para. 1).
Professional Practice Framework Assignment
Social Work 400B: Advanced Seminar in Reflective Social Work Practice
Vancouver Island University
Louise Stern
April 12, 2016
Katrina McCormick
Social work is a diverse profession in which is guided by common values and ethics to meet the needs of individuals, families, and communities. Social worker's help those individuals who are often disadvantaged, marginalized and/or oppressed; assess and evaluate client needs; refer and provide adequate services. Throughout my Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) journey, I have gained practical social work knowledge through both coursework and field experience practicum's and feel as though I am equipped with the necessary tools to become a confident and effective social worker. This professional practice framework will articulate my personal practice perspective, experience and values; past experience and learning; and my readiness for practice.
Social work values that I have acquired throughout my BSW journey, and will support and guide my future practice, include self determination, empowerment, inherent worth and dignity, and confidentiality (CASW, 2016). I have realized that social work practice is the application of social work values. Self-determination is vital, as I feel as though clients know their situation best and while it is one thing to tell, or mandate, a client to do something, empowering them to believe and want to do something is more meaningful and effective in the long term. During my fourth year practicum, my team leader helped me focus on my use of language. She helped me look deeper into the use of language and its associated responses. I saw a direct correlation between the use of language and the clients overall inherent worth and levels of dignity. I also learned through my BSW journey that confidentiality is an integral value to abide by. By developing trusting relationships and establishing professional boundaries, social worker's must also abide by organization and agency guidelines while following the CASW Code of Ethics.
Barriers that exist that may deter me from practicing my self care strategy include mainly my own self, where sometimes I become overwhelmed and make excuses. I know I need to take care of myself before I can take care of others and therefore need to 'practice what I preach', especially when entering a career that promotes self care. I feel that with the extra time gained from not having coursework, I will be able to utilize the time appropriately by following my self care strategy. I also aim to practice my self care strategy by implementing positive coping strategies that include doing things I enjoy, such as scrapbooking and card making; bike riding and hiking; and spending quality time with my husband and children.
My learning experiences have impacted me as an emerging practitioner as I am now more aware of my sense of self and social location. I realize I must maintain my self care strategy to be able to optimize my ability to help others. My self care strategy consists of the following:
Mind: organizing my thoughts into attainable goals. I enjoy making lists; however, they can tend to be lengthy, so I am making them smaller and more achievable.
Body: focus on eating foods that are not only filling and satisfying, but actually fuel my body. It is easy to get wrapped up in the moment, whether it be not allocating enough time to prepare meals, being on the go, or a demanding career. I have been able to make steps to improve my healthy way of life. I also ensure I sleep seven to eight hours a night and am incorporating regular exercise into my (and my family's) life.
Emotional: focusing on my emotional intelligence (self-awareness, managing emotions, motivation, empathy and social skills). I am ensuring I focus on positivity and worry less about the things I cannot change. Being aware of, and implementing, boundaries has also helped me emotionally.
Spirit: I have started listening to relaxation music while taking baths and find it relaxing, calming and spiritual.
To avoid contentious and/or demanding clients, I plan on ensuring my use of self is established and utilize my strong self-awareness, restraint and professionalism skills to further avoid possible ethical dilemmas. When confronted with ethical dilemmas that are unavoidable, I intend on utilizing my learned social work skills, such as attending to behaviors (i.e., body language, tone of voice and facial expressions) and interviewing (i.e., paraphrasing, open/closed questions and summarizing) to assess the situation appropriately and act accordingly (Cummins, Sevel & Pedrick, 2012).
Areas in which I find challenging and I need to ensure I do not continue, is that of advice giving and judgment making. It is easy to say "you should do this" or "you should try that"; but it is not helping the situation. Social workers must let their clients be an active participant in the client/social worker relationship. Self-determination and empowering the client to make their own decisions will ensure true change occurs from within the client, rather than the client merely aiming to please, or abiding, the social worker. Social workers can help clients achieve their goals in which they have made, as long as it is client-driven. Clients need to learn how to problem solve and develop their own independence and autonomy.
It is easy to form judgments on clients, especially if the family has prior history. I have learned to not be so quick to judge client's situations, reactions, personalities, etc. I am accepting of individual differences and have even taken this new approach past my education and practicum experiences and into my personal life. Everyone has their own story. In more ways than none, a client's present situation and/or behavior is based on previous trauma that has resulted in a negative reaction and/or decision making. Individuals and families need guidance and support from social worker's to empower themselves to make positive choices. Clients may respond defensively if they feel as though they are being judged; therefore they need to be made to feel comfortable, that they can trust and rely on social workers to further assist in making positive change.
Throughout my BSW journey, I have learned the importance of empathy and rapport. Without having empathy and the ability to build rapport, one cannot practice effective social work. Being able to empathize and build rapport with families make social worker's relatable and approachable to clients; further adding to the client/social work relationship. I intend to further my learning in the areas of ethical issues, social work theories and models, for I feel as though it is the way in which I plan to practice: from a non-biased, informed and caring approach.
I recognized during my fourth year child welfare specialization practicum that I was quite nervous interviewing, children specifically. I had pre-conceived judgments with the children before meeting them (based on their prior family history) and I think that made it more difficult for me at first. While consulting with my mentor and supervisor, I was able to recognize what I needed to do going forward. I took a psychodynamic approach to interacting with children, where I connected their childhood trauma to their current behavior. It helped me 'give reason' to why these children and youth were behaving in the ways they were. During practicum, I often asked 'why'? and am now able to refrain from asking this and refer to social work theories to give me further meaning and reasoning. During this experience, I was learning and therefore it was ok to have these feelings and I was reassured that I was doing the right thing, therefore my confidence increased and I was able to move forward with the following tools to improve my interviewing with children and youth:
- be honest, reliable and consistent
- transparent, sensitive and empathetic
- protective and therapeutic
- rights promotion and empowering
- patient and adaptable to change
- attentive to non-verbal communication
- balance between procedure-based and relationship-based practice (Ruch, 2014).
My personal strengths include, but are not limited to, being transparent, patient and resourceful. If I am directly, or indirectly, not able to help a client, I will guide them in the direction they need to be in and/or connect them with who they need to be connected with. I will go the extra step to ensure client's are comfortable, can trust me, and feel empowered to make appropriate social change. While these strengths are a reflection of positive micro social work practice skills, I must ensure I can also implement and follow clear boundaries (as I see this may be a possible barrier, especially in the beginning of my practice career). In addition, I feel I am confident in all of the stages of the helping process:
- intake and engagement (building rapport and a positive client/social worker relationship);
- assessment (gathering information to assess needs, strengths and vulnerability);
- problem identification, planning and contracting (setting goals, strategies and plan forcing);
- treatment and intervention (accessing agency and community resources and alliances); and
- evaluation and termination (assessment of client successes and/or barriers to change) (Cummins,
Sevel & Pedrick, 2012).
A macro social work skill I plan on ensuring I practice within is that of the community, social structures and the organization. Being aware of systemic changes and implementations, as well as advocating and intervening in social policy, will enable myself to practice in a broader scope. To ensure I further equip myself with the tools to practice effective social work, I will continue to learn more and further educate myself about macro and mezzo levels of social work.
I also utilized the steps Yuille (1998) suggests when interviewing children, such as introducing myself and building rapport, explaining the importance of truth telling, effective use of open, closed and specific questions, and free narrative. Combing these tools and steps enabled me to be able to interview children with less fear and intimidation.
To be a good social worker, I realize that one must have a solid sense of self. I feel confident and content within myself, while having a solid understanding of my personal values and beliefs. "Social worker's bring the mission of the profession to life through the art of social work practice that requires the professional application of social work values, principles, knowledge, skills, and techniques to individuals, families, groups, organization's and communities" (Cummins, Sevel & Pedrick, 2012, pg. 3). I look forward to practicing this way and feel as though I will be able to do so as I will ensure I seek consultation and supervision, as well as reflect on the social work code of ethics regularly.