Unplanned Termination In Social Work

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Termination, as suggested by the (Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary, 2015) is the process of ending something. The Termination phase, like the beginning phase is an important and inescapable component in all spheres of life; for instance being born and dying or starting school and finishing. Termination then, is an integral part our existence. However in relation to the social work profession, (Dean H. Hepworth and Jo Ann Larsen, 2009), clarifies that termination is: “the process of formally ending the social worker-client relationship. It is a feature of practice with a variety of client systems; from individuals and families to task groups, coalitions, and communities, and it occurs regardless of the duration of the helping relationship. …show more content…

In addition, social workers may have to refer clients in the middle of service especially when client’s condition deteriorates. There are cases where the social worker and client simply do not mesh or clients who were placed in the service against their will feel they do not need treatment and drops out of treatment at the first chance they get. The key focus in the unplanned termination process is that there is clearly no proper closure to treatment. Both client and social worker may be left feeling varying emotions such as failure, rejection, anger or even abandonment. The decision to end a social worker-client relationship should be processed gradually and several assessments done to evaluate goal …show more content…

Another occasion of planned termination may happen when both client and social worker leaves the service or agency. Nevertheless, the process of separation may have intense impact on both client and social worker and as such it is recommended that the social worker and client firstly; decide when is an appropriate time to terminate, evaluate achievement of objectives, maintain and continue progress, identify and resolve emotional reactions for both worker and client, make appropriate referrals and lastly follow up. Follow-up is an essential part of the termination process as it provides social workers with an opportunity to evaluate client’s development or lack thereof, it allows them another chance to provide some vital information or assist clients in areas of struggle. More so, termination can end on a positive note where some sort of parting ceremony is held such as; the offering of a plaque, book or throwing a small party, example, for a child leaving a foster home to a more stable setting or inviting family to share in well wishes about the clients

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