Social workers have been working closely with others professionals in the setting dominated by other disciplines (Bronstein, 2002). There are many different ways of social work collaboration across the professions based on the context they are operating in; whether in school, hospital or community organisations. It would either be a formal or informal agreement on how the service would be delivered to clients through collaborative work. Besides, collaboration would also operate between the worker and the client through the evaluation process to improve the service provision such as feedbacks and direct interviews. According to AASW (2010), social workers will cooperate and collaborate with other disciplines to promote and expand ideas, knowledge, …show more content…
The system theory is relevant to the collaborative social work practice as it focuses on the interactions between the systems and subsystems of the organisation, the functioning and outcome (Mele, Pels & Polese, 2010). The agency and professional discipline (Mental health, disability, youth, etc.) would be seen as a system. However, there are some boundaries that exist in the system – whether in an open system or a closed system. Interaction across the boundaries is one feature of the open system. The open system theory, in regards to the collaborative social work practice, explains how the social work operates in an interdisciplinary/interprofessional practice and across boundaries. The internal system of the organisation and the external environment (communities and other agencies) are constantly interacting and exchanging the information. For instance, the social worker in youth organisation might need to work in partnership with community development workers from the council, the police, the local government to design a specific program for the youth, the family and community. The social worker in the case might need to consult the plan with other parties to create a comprehensive solution to address the problem. Nevertheless, it is important for the social worker to understand and manage the boundaries between the agency and the profession to maximise the benefits of collaboration and avoid conflicts. Besides, the social exchange theory is also relevant to collaborative social work practice. The social exchange theory involves a series of interactions that generate obligations (Emerson, 1976). The reciprocity and gratification are essential to creating social relations. In regards to collaborative social work practice, the professional might establish and maintain the collaboration based on the expectation of mutual benefits across disciplines through the shared
Morales, A., Sheafor, B. W., & Scott, M. E. (2012). Social work: a profession of many faces. (12th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.
Using examples involving human service workers, discuss how interprofessional practice is defined. Discuss the barriers to interprofessional practice and how these might be addressed. Interprofessional practice is essentially the collaboration of multi-disciplinary professionals to achieve a common client-centred goal and in doing so, better assist with the complexity of the clients’ challenges (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2015, McCallin, 2014). Whilst the ability to work in partnership with other professionals is essential in creating the best outcomes for a wide variety of client care (Pecukonis, Doyle, & Bliss, 2008), social workers face a range of boundaries that may limit their ability to work coherently, including miscommunication, lack
This class, Social Work Theory & Practice was made to be able to introduce me to social work theories, ideas, and skills needed to work in the social work profession. This class main tool used was a book called A Brief Introduction of Social Work Theory by David Howe which discusses social work theories in a compressive and explainable way. This class is important to my higher learning because it break down the theories that I will need to use during my practice and a...
Social Work is the study of people and how they interact with the systems in their environment and other people. Social Workers use theories, sets of ideas or concepts, of human behavior and apply them within their professional social work ethics to the problems facing clients in order to help them gain balance in the systems in their lives. Theories help to organize knowledge enabling social workers to help make sense of problems. There are many different theories. They have been grouped into broad categories called theoretical lenses (Rogers, A. 2013).
This assignment will give a reflective account of two main communication skills that are important for relationship-based practice in social work. Relationship based practice is important in social work, this establishes a positive relationship with professionals and service users. In agreement of Carl Rogers (2012) and Threvithick (2012) it is vital to establish relationship based practice because it demonstrates social workers are trustworthy and dependable, this will enable the service users feel more confident to disclose information, be more open rather than distrustful and taking all the support in consideration rather than being wary. Relationship based practice supports unpretentious approach with service users and carries out progressive
Social workers should be able to define and describe main social work paradigms, philosophical and ideological approaches and appreciate their implications to practice, policy and research. Social workers should be also able to identify interrelations between social work paradigms, social policy and social
Parker, J. and Bradley, G. (2003). Social Work Practice: Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Review. Exeter: Learning Matters Ltd.
Thompson, N (2005) Understanding Social Work: Preparing for Practice, Palgrave, MacMillan (Second Edition) Hampshire (Supplementary Course Reader)
Systems ideas is referring to three different types of systems, each created in a different era; general systems theory, ecosystem perspectives and complex systems theory (Healy, 2005). Systems Ideas in social work originated with general systems theory in the 1940’s and 1950’s, formulated by Ludwig Von Bertalanffy in the 1970’s (Payne, 2005). Systems Ideas are very relevant to human related professions such as; doctors, social workers and other institutions. The systems Ideas theory aids social workers to find an individual’s “fit” and “adapt” to the current society (Payne, 2005). There are many people involved in an individual’s social system, from friends and family to institutions such as schools and doctors. These can also be put into further categories formal and informal theories. Formal theories consist of systems such as institutions like social worker and doctors but informal theories include friends, family and community. In complex situations, systems ideas and theory is more appropriate to use than other more casual models of practice.
Working with others and improving own learning and performance are highly essential skills in social work. In this essay I will reflect on how well I have developed these two skills and what I need to do to improve them.
Watson, D & West, J 2006, Social work process and practice: approaches, knowledge, and skills, Palgrave Macmillan, Houndmills, Basingstoke, Hampshire; New York.
The generalist model in the social work profession was drawn from a social system’s theory in the late 1960 's due to the complexities of problems and challenges faced by human beings. It was needed to assist social workers in assessing and interviewing clients. Rather than make the client fit the model, the generalist model seeks to find the approach that best fits the client, as well as emphasizing respect for client self-determination and the use of client strengths with empowerment as an expected client system outcome. A generalist practice model is used in all areas of social work field in ethical and effective helping based on the eco-systems perspective using problem-solving strategies and practice skills requiring a strengths perspective
The social work profession is defined as “a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people (ISFW, ‘Global Definition of Social Work’, 2016).” The definition may be true about the profession but it is more in depth than just that. To me, the profession’s primary focus is to help others through life as much as we can while letting them make their own choices and guiding them. In society, social workers are utilized in many different nonprofit and government roles. They serve the community in many different ways from monitoring parent visits to helping people through mental illnesses. Human beings are so complex and things that happen
The work of a social worker is complex and all encompassing. Social workers work in many capacities seeking justice, liberation, and equality. There work is global, as they work to put policies in place to govern practices. To keep up with societal shifts and generational changes there learning is continuous. As new questions rise so does the need for the continuation of research, not only to answer these questions but to implement into
Social work is a profession which promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and enhance well-being. It is important to acknowledge the history of social work and the purpose of social work and why it exists. Social work is a questioned theory with different perspectives on what it is and how it should be practised. Social work helps people to deal with personal and social problems so that people can overcome or adjust to any personal difficulties. Social work is a combination of social stability and social change. Social stability promotes individual and social welfare and social change seek to change negative aspects of society. Values are implicit within the law and policy and these tend to reflect the values within society. Personal values can influence the way social workers interpret and implement their profession.