Understanding Social Work Practice

Introduction

Social work is a practice-based career that enhances development, social change, cohesion, and the empowerment of societies and people. This profession includes understanding human behavior, development, and social, cultural, and economic institutions and interactions. Social workers function in many settings, including clinics, hospitals, schools, and human service agencies. Also, they are available in corporations and private practices. To qualify to be a social worker, an individual needs to have a bachelor’s degree in social work. Similarly, clinical social workers should have a master's degree and two years of experience. Also, social workers need to be licensed in their country of operation. (Eriksson & Bjerge, 2019). The study also reveals that the current median annual wage for social workers was $51,760 by 2020 (p.28). Similarly, the profession is projected to grow 13 percent from 2019 to 2029. Social workers enjoy several career specializations and employment opportunities. Some of the opportunities in social work include foster care social worker, child, family therapist, treatment counselor, mental health counselor, school social worker, marriage and family counselor, medical social worker, policy analyst, and substance use and recovery. Moreover, the social work profession requires a lot of competence and knowledge. Elswick et al. (2018) state that some of the skills required by social work include active listening, self-care, cultural competence, patience, empathy, organization, and critical thinking. Also, professionals function in principles including self-determination, involvement, non-judgmental attitude, communications, confidentiality, and controlled emotions. Also, social workers need to be knowledgeable in theoretical, practice wisdom, empirical, procedural, and personal knowledge. This knowledge enables individuals to make effective practice decisions.

Personal Analysis

For as long as I can remember, I have always been fascinated by the interactions of human beings and how human behavior affects the community. Similarly, I always wanted to pursue a career that involves protecting and assisting other individuals in society and improving their livelihood. During my secondary education, I understood that social work is about working respectfully and diligently and charging as a leader in a high-pressure environment to deliver care to vulnerable individuals. Thus, being an excelling student with a strong academic background, I decided to pursue social work as a profession. Looking at my skills, I am a cheerful, results-driven, and proactive individual with the necessary skills required to thrive in a modern social work career. First, I am an empathetic individual, which is a critical skill in social work. This skill refers to understanding and identifying with another individual's experience and point of view (Lynch et al., 2019). Also, the study defines these skills as the act of experiencing, perceiving, and understanding the emotional state and ideas of another individual (p.139). The skills involve stepping into someone else's shoes and recognizing their worldviews. This skill is critical for social workers since it enables social workers to build stronger relationships with clients and determine their needs based on their unique experiences to offer services efficiently. Another skill that makes me effective in social work is communication skills. This skill includes both verbal and non-verbal communication. It is defined as the ability to communicate clearly with a wide range of individuals. Jalal et al. (2018) state that this skill promotes the duty of social workers to advocate for people. Also, it enables an expert to communicate effectively with clients regardless of age, cultural background, literacy skill level, and other factors. I am fluent in Portuguese, Spanish, and English. Therefore, I am confident that I can advocate for people better with the ability to express myself. Apart from communication, I am an active listener, which is necessary to understand and identify a client's needs. Lynch et al. (2019) state listening carefully, asking the right question, and concentrating helps social workers to engage and establish trust with clients. Other skills which I possess as an effective social worker are critical thinking and organization. Critical thinking skills are defined as the ability to analyze information gathered from an unbiased perspective. These skills enable individuals to objectively evaluate every information collected via research, observation, and interviews. According to Chenoweth and McAuliffe (2017), thinking critically allows social workers to make informed decisions, formulate the best plan and identify the best resources to help clients. On the other hand, an organization is critical in the social work profession, enabling individuals to manage and support multiple clients in a limited time. This skill is essential to social work since it allows experts and clients to prioritize needs to effectively manage cases (Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2017). Similarly, I have excellent teamwork skills, which are critical in supporting clients. Other skills that make me qualified for this position include good observation skills, attention to detail, flexibility, information technology, and hard work.

Other than skills, I possess a broad knowledge of theoretical, procedural, empirical, practice wisdom, and personal knowledge, which is essential in social work. Kelly (2017) states that this knowledge is critical and is used frequently in social work practice. Also, the study reveals that the theoretical framework in social work intervention is essential in working with people, society, and families. Also, this knowledge is critical in making effective practice decisions. Similarly, I demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of critical awareness of contemporary issues and evidence-informed practice studies. Also, I understand and can apply a range of appropriate legal and policy frameworks and guidance that inform social work. Also, I recognize the short and long-term impact of social, economic, psychological, psychological, and environmental factors on people's lives, and I can apply this knowledge to inform my practice. Also, I understand the opportunities and risks of virtual environments, new technologies, and digital resources in the social work environment. Moreover, I understand the need to promote diversity and the appropriate guidelines, including The British Association of Social Workers (BASW) and Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.

Career Action Plan

Other than being qualified and confident in social work, I also believe that I am not perfect and that there are skills that I need to develop. I understand that social workers need to deal with children and people's lives in diverse contexts. Therefore, one needs to understand the critical concepts and theorizations and handle the need of various people and, in most cases, multitask. Besides, before venturing into the social work profession, one needs to have adequate knowledge and skills in the field and prepare for employment in diverse professional environments (Markauskaite & Goodyear, 2014). From my skills, I understand that I need to improve and develop diverse skills and abilities. Gaine (2010) suggests that applying anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory codes in practice helps understand customers' needs and fulfill them. Similarly, it helps promote equality and create an environment that is free from harassment, bullying, victimization, and unlawful discrimination. Again, from self-refection, I realized that teamwork and networking are critical in social work, thus the need to advance these skills. Melin-Emilsson (2013) states that teamwork is essential to social work since it enables colleagues to work well together to ensure people using the service receive the support and care they require. Also, I have realized that social work needs multitasking, thus the need for time management and organization skills. Therefore, I need to advance my time management and organization skills to a greater level. Moreover, I need to advance my knowledge in social work practice theoretical framework. Lastly, I have realized that most people helped by social workers are vulnerable, and others have been victimized and bullied, thus the need for compassion. Therefore, I need to develop my compassion skills before venturing into my profession.

Personal development plan

Conclusion

Having completed my assignment, I feel that I have developed my ability to think critically and reflect on myself. Besides, the reflection has enabled me to build a key to self-awareness, including my feeling, thoughts, actions, and emotions. Moreover, from the reflection, I developed personal development skills, which are critical to promoting my professional growth. Similarly, I was able to develop a better understanding of my strengths and weaknesses. Through developing SMART goals, I now understand the need to multitask and schedule my routines to develop my expertise. My career plan will help me achieve my short- and long-term career goals and the actions I need to achieve. Also, my career development plan is essential to deal with vulnerable and needy people effectively.

References

Chenoweth, L. and McAuliffe, D., 2017. The road to social work & human service practice. Cengage AU.

Elswick, S.E., Cuellar, M., Williams, M., Albert, W., Norfleet, T., Carlson, S., Fleming, G., Lieg, N. and Shine, J., 2018. School social work leadership: Essential knowledge, skills, and practices for the profession. School Social Work Journal, 42(2), pp.57-73.

Jalal, Z., Cox, A., Goel, N., Vaitha, N., King, K. and Ward, J., 2018. Communications Skills in the Pharmacy Profession: A Cross Sectional Survey of UK Registered Pharmacists and Pharmacy Educators. Pharmacy, 6(4), p.132.

Lynch, A., Newlands, F. and Forrester, D., 2019. What does empathy sound like in social work communication? A mixed‐methods study of empathy in child protection social work practice. Child & Family Social Work, 24(1), pp.139-147.

Melin Emilsson, U., 2013. The role of social work in cross-professional teamwork: Examples from an older people's team in England. British Journal of Social Work, 43(1), pp.116-134.