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Caleigh Jenkins
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As I am from a western culture, my views are often shaped or derived from privilege. This means that I try to be open to new perspectives and different understandings. I must remain aware of how this positionality affects how I practice as a young, white, female, social worker (Suárez et al., 2008). This includes being culturally competent, safe, and sensitive in practice, as well as being aware of how this may affect power relationships between myself and a client (AASW, 2010; Suárez et al., 2008).
Values are fundamental beliefs that guide an individual's actions (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). They are standards of behaviour that a person adheres to every day (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). I value equality, partnership, and honesty. I believe that people's actions must be considered with the context of their environment and life. These beliefs and values will impact how I practice in that I will likely focus on client-centered care, with the client having power in decision-making processes, as well as creating a trusting and collaborative relationship (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Social work theory describes, explains, and predicts as a way of understanding the world (Dunk-West, 2013). These are used to make a change in individual interactions and relationships with society, and social structures and systems (Dunk-West, 2013). I would use humanistic approaches, strengths perspective/empowerment approach, systems theory/ecological perspective, or sociological social work theory. It is important to consider clients in the context of their environment and how their position in society may act as a barrier to resources and opportunities (Dunk-West, 2013).
The three core values of social work according to the Australian Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics (AASW, 2010) are respect for persons, social justice, and professional integrity. Each person has inherent worth, equality, and rights (AASW, 2010). The equal access to wealth, opportunities, and privilege is social justice (AASW, 2010). Competent, safe, and sensitive practice demonstrate professional integrity (AASW, 2010).
FUNDAMENTAL
Respect clients and other professionals, including their own cultures, beliefs, values, views, and how these may influence their knowledge (AASW, 2010). Social workers must provide the resources and information necessary for clients or their representatives to take part in decision-making (AASW, 2010). Social workers must also remain aware of their own positionality and how this affects their practice (AASW, 2010; Suárez et al., 2008).
-respect for human dignity and worth
-culturally competent, safe, and sensitive practice
-commitment to social justice and human rights
-professional boundaries
There are many types of knowledge, such as personal, empirical, procedural, professional, theoretical, and practice wisdom (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). Social workers use this broad range of knowledge to improve their practice and to find unique solutions for each client (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Empowerment can be achieved through advocacy, education, and understanding and addressing power imbalances (AASW, 2010; Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). The empowerment approach in social work enables the client to make decisions for themselves and work alongside professionals, rather than having everything done for them (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). Advocacy is action to support and influences causes or policies, and is often used to promote positive change in society (Isaacs, 2015). Education provides knowledge and skills to make informed decisions and access opportunities that were not previously available (Ladika, 2011). Understanding and addressing power allows social workers and clients to correct imbalances by providing empowerment through control over decisions and having increased client-centered care (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). All of these approaches to empowerment can lead to social justice and the support of human rights for all people (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Social justice is achieved through campaigns, policies, and advocacy (Sheedy, 2013). These are used to address and resolve or reduce issues such as sexism and racism (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017; Sheedy, 2013). People who experience discrimination based on these factors are often negatively affected in terms of jobs, mental health, and other aspects of life (Sheedy, 2013). Social justice is a core value of social work, and social workers aim to help individuals who are impacted by these issues through direct support and through broader changes to society (AASW, 2010; Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). Client advocacy enables a client's voice to be heard and that there needs to be change (Isaacs, 2015). Opinions of groups or individuals help to guide new policies that reflect positive outcomes (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Human rights are often violated due to disability, gender, or culture (Mughal, 2014). Giving individuals the resources or support that they need helps to promote change in stereotypes, systems, and institutions (Mughal, 2014). This enables all people to become full citizens and participants in society (Sabatello & Schulze, 2013). The violation of human rights, as well as the structural and systemic exclusion of people who do not fulfill requirements and norms, prevent individuals from accessing resources and opportunities that others benefit from (Sabatello & Schulze, 2013). The aim of social workers is to reduce these barriers and provide support and resources (AASW, 2010).
The fields of practice that interest me most are education, academia, and culturally and linguistically diverse populations. In these areas of practice people typically experience disadvantage due to lack of knowledge or resources that end up becoming barriers to opportunities (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). I would like to help reduce these barriers so that individuals and families can obtain their education or essential services.
Working with families to provide them the resources they need is part of working with culturally and linguistically diverse peoples (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). I want to help new immigrants to make Australia their home and to have access to housing, education, and other mainstream resources.
Working with individuals would apply more to education and academia. I would like to help students with their education by giving them resources that will help them if they are struggling with factors that impact their education, such as the ability to have a stable income or housing (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Individual and family work is used in all of these areas (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). Families may need to be worked with to support their child's education through creating a stable support system (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017). Immigrants are not always families but may be a single individual.
When working with individuals, social workers may take on a case-management role, where they assist the individual directly to achieve their goal(s) (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
Work with families includes family support, counseling, therapy, and dispute resolution (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2017).
In the future I would like to become a social worker who works with immigrants or in the area of education.