After taking a class on social work, I started thinking about it as a professional field that I see myself serving in the support system to enhance justice and equality for all. I care about all kinds of people who overcome life’s challenges for multiple reasons. I spent the first few years of college studying society and how individuals adapt to the world with social, behavioral, psychological, and cultural factors that impact human functioning. The coursework that provided me with scope and knowledge of social justice issues got me interested in pursuing a successful career in social work. While completing the course my participation in online discussions and group projects helped me develop collaborative skills related to professional practice with clients and populations to make a big difference in their lives. As a college student, the Social Sciences department has given me the opportunity to explore areas of study (such as sociology, psychology, anthropology, personal and community health, and lifespan development) that increased my confidence about beginning the journey for a social work experience in the future. Below is an academic essay I wrote during my final week of this semester which presents details on social welfare combination of roles equivalent to social work practice and intervention. It includes key concepts and approaches to justice emphasizing the need for equitable access to opportunities and resources in order for individuals to function normally.
History of Social Work and Social Welfare
Social work is a primary profession that works within a social welfare system. The term welfare means alleviating injustice that impacts a person’s quality of life and providing aid to populations in need. It has been one of the fastest-growing fields in the past and present. The field involves diverse roles that help meet the basic needs of life to enhance social well-being. The social welfare system provides a wide range of organized activities to shape human functioning and make the world a better place. Social workers who work with clients to address social problems engage in multiple roles focusing on planned change and process. The areas of practice serve vulnerable groups of people on welfare to bring together opportunities and resources available for their needs to be met. Social work professionals advocate for welfare policies and changes to promote social justice that impact a person’s lifestyle. The types of social work and social welfare vary depending on the identification of justice issues and diversity of specific populations. Child welfare is one of the significant pieces of assistance provided to children, youth, and their families experiencing similar problems that include child abuse and neglect.
In the early history of social welfare, the English heritage and the church demonstrated a powerful influence on the philosophy of welfare. Despite the economic hardships facing the Industrial Revolution, the English parliament passed the Elizabethan Poor Laws that required government to handle the poor. The poor laws went into effect throughout the colonial times until the Social Security Act of 1936. Under the Poor Law the government raised taxes and regulated the funds to dependent children as perishes were established for unemployed and the helpless (Says, 2016). In 1601, many able-bodied residents were placed in indoor relief when identified as poor individuals with very little or no access to financial resources. In contrast, the government established outdoor relief as a form of welfare given to the poor in exchange for money, food, and shelter without being institutionalized. The settlement house movement consists of neighborhood services to immigrants and provides residence for the homeless who need a safe place to live. It became the first to combat poverty as a result of the Elizabethan Law. The support services to families and dependent children were created by charity organizations and assistance programs that are critical of scientific philanthropy as it comes to welfare. The Great Depression was the time when the federal government gained responsibility to implement social welfare policies following an economic recession and the rollout of the Poor Laws. The Social Security Act of 1936 is significant because it allowed state and local governments to distribute aid to the elderly and those who have a disability. It includes old-age pensions and monthly payments for those who are no longer working to earn a living (Britannica, 2019). This legislation ensures that income is completely secure and recipients who receive aid have access to social insurance and unemployment benefits. The system remained in the 1860’s that expanded programs to provide childcare and financial support to families with both parents working in low-paying jobs. The 1990’s marked “an end to welfare as we know it” since the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act. It was signed into law by President Bill Clinton to eliminate welfare while putting people to work for certain wages. The act replaced AFDC with TANF, a program that provides limited benefits over a 5-year period to single mothers and the working-poor who still work while relying on government assistance. The welfare reform has made it easier to find better employment to maximize the wages to provide care for their children. It helped low-income recipients keep the wages affordable to become financially competent in the workforce. Therefore, these changes to welfare systems reduced the number of people receiving benefits.
Diversity and Social Justice Issues
The diversity of cultural backgrounds that face social and economic injustice include race and ethnicity, gender, age, social class, and persons with a disability. Social workers who serve in law enforcement agencies and criminal justice systems respond by ensuring all people have access to the same rights and privileges, with regards to equality and justice. The role that social justice plays on different types of people relies constantly on policies and programs to reduce discrimination and prejudice. As for people of color, evidence has shown that they are three times more likely to live in poverty than whites. Structural racism is the most widely existing form of injustice in the U.S where oppressed minorities struggle for racial equality. It is estimated that incidents still happen in the verge of racial discrimination, while law enforcement agencies are seeking to promote equal rights of all (Ambrasino, 2016). Those of color are less likely to receive education and quality healthcare than their counterparts. Many African American groups live in urban areas facing prejudice and discrimination because they are identified as individuals using drugs and alcohol, having lack access to medical care, and possibly those who receive prison sentences. The steps are taken by civil rights movements globally to ban segregation from institutions among all groups in society. People in rural areas experience economic injustice because of poverty and very few jobs being available. Not having health insurance is a result of discrimination and oppression. The social welfare system seeks to stand against discrimination through direct action, advocating for policies that promote equal treatment of all people. Social workers are advocates who believe everyone has the right to fully participate in society, no matter who we are and how our differences impact us.
Disability is the largest group in the country with similar issues related to physical, cognitive, and emotional capacity. Ableism exists among individuals with disabilities who are unfairly treated by the able-bodied. They become socially isolated and are at risk for poorer health under the condition as well as those with mental illness. The injustice of both groups are linked to job loss and inadequate funding for support services. Social workers mainly work with oppressed individuals to improve the opportunity structure and help them lead productive lives. The primary goal of social justice involves creating a system of opportunities that shape capacity and well-being of all populations.
Social Work Practice: Methods of Intervention
Social workers are role models that assist clients in strengthening human well-being. A key to success in professional practice includes applying knowledge of human behavior and methods of intervention to understand social justice among individuals, groups, communities, and organizations. The areas of practice take place in public and private settings. There are many sets of methods used in social work that guide interventions to alleviate injustice. An ecological/systems framework and theory is an important strategy applied in generalist practice that helps them deal with social welfare problems and interactions between client systems and the environment. A social worker may work with a family whose child has learning disabilities and needs help with school, and a parent addicted to alcohol. A systems perspective is necessary to look at the relationship between environmental factors and system levels (family and school). The curriculum guidelines suggest that analyzing the theories and methods of intervention is taught to help students deepen scientific knowledge of social problems by selecting appropriate approaches that incorporate a client’s situation (Freeman, 2013). The systems perspective would also help the social work practitioner understand child abuse and neglect. In addition to working with children and families, the ability to connect them with resources and programs that address related problems is an important factor of problem-solving approach. Generalist practitioners are typically knowledgeable of change that impact the functioning of all levels of society. It enables them to understand the uniqueness of a client’s cultural world and empower the situation. Incorporating multiple perspectives allows them to engage in appropriate stages of a helping process while being aware of the strengths and limitations of a client or group. The process begins with defining the problem, so that a social worker pays special attention to a client’s needs. Then the goals for the client’s life must be identified before assessing his or her needs. The final stage includes evaluating solutions to the problem. Social work practitioners develop positive relationships and strong communication skills to help clients cope with problems. With compassion and respect to their rights, helping them make life decisions on their behalf is critical in practice. They conduct interviews, assessments, and record information about a specific situation to achieve intervention. Applying and analyzing research on intervention options is vital in exploring resources with individuals, groups, and organizations. When working in groups, social workers have the responsibility to establish leadership and purpose that is in their best interests. Effective interpersonal skills are needed to lead group work by helping members interact with one another and carry out a plan for termination to meet their needs. Having friendly conversations with them is key. Social workers who work with child and family systems provide counseling and reality therapy to cope with stressors that affect them. They may also facilitate planning for recreation activities among natural groups who are school-aged. Group work is a skill that many social workers need to understand how personal outcomes impact the other and come together the solutions to achieve the purpose and dignity.
Fields of Practice and Populations Served by Social Workers
The fields of practice cooperate with other helping professions. Generalist social workers are employed in direct practice settings that provide basic counseling and case management. While generalist practitioners have a bachelor’s degree in social work, specialist social workers go through advanced training and work in clinical settings with a master’s degree or higher. According to the Council of Social Work Education, specialization contributes to related areas like mental health, along with vocational rehabilitation and intensive counseling. The difference is that specialization can be done in private practice focusing on crisis intervention. Social workers usually work full-time in local health organizations, government agencies, hospitals, schools, and community outreach facilities. There are jobs in mental health and Human Resources that pay social workers the most, however some professions have a median salary that is insufficient enough to receive less wages over a timely record.
Many social workers are committed to providing support to diverse groups in need. Individuals who work within a child welfare delivery system attempt to address issues that affect a child’s health and well-being (Ambrosino, 2016). Child welfare provide preventive care to keep kids safe in their homes and ensure that court orders are permissible. Parental education facilitates skill development to care for a dependent child. The services to children and families also deal with substance abuse and child maltreatment. The practice with communities and social service agencies focuses on program planning and policy development in community organizations. They make sure that adequate funding is distributed to residents who are disabled and live in poverty. These include affordable and accessible housing, public transportation, health care, etc. Not all recipients have access to services, but many are still limited. For instance, in urban areas people have a lot more options to consider than those in rural areas. Service providers trained in cities have better knowledge and experience in engaging clients with resources. Medicaid programs operate by federal and state government to serve populations on welfare, with eligibility requirements to obtain benefits. The state and county departments of health/human services provide food assistance and volunteers to help communities that are vulnerable. A social worker may help clients qualify for SSI and CHIP whenever they need it. But they also work with government agencies to make policy changes as appropriate to the situation. The roles in administration and planning are officially successful in providing community support and establishing networks with organizations. The support given to individuals in need promotes justice and increased well-being of others. Social workers not only advocate their clients for change but also inform them of a wide range of programs that best meet their needs.
The Future of Social Work
Social work has continued to be a fast-growing field in the world. The new technologies will change the future of the profession due to digital development. The profession has evolved over time as globalization rises. The use of telecommunication has recently been integrated into the industry to prepare for the future of education and interactions with clients. Social workers that remain committed to enhance individual wellbeing are moving into multiple tasks to address the most complex needs of families, organizations, and communities. At this point they’re facing new challenges that make the profession more demanding. Economic inequality has increased with cuts to funding and growing numbers of the poor. Social workers will still be needed to promote social and economic justice in the coming years of practice.
The reason people choose to become social workers is because they want to help their clients address with issues that impact the attitudes toward their differences. I believe that a career in social work is a good choice for anyone interested in helping others. It’s also incredibly challenging because it sometimes puts them at risk of emotional disruption from incidents that would need to be addressed properly. Most workplaces have supervisors available to ensure all tasks are being done effectively and no conflicts are happening during client visits. It takes a long time to get licensed before qualifying for a social work job, so practitioners must often concentrate on their education and training to earn a degree or certification. Until they finish school, they should do volunteer work and internships to prepare for the workforce while continuing their studies. I am hoping to get into disability policy as a specialty with a bachelor’s degree in social work and do whatever I can to reduce discrimination against the disabled. The considerations for my top priorities would focus on advocating for the rights of people with disabilities to promote inclusion in able-bodied communities. The goal of this type of work is to improve the quality of life for individuals to direct their services. I have decided to work in an agency that implements protocols to ensure reasonable accommodations are made for education, employment, housing, eneuhment activities, and new construction. As a policy social worker I hope to have a team that will support my local authorities to act as an advocate for those who overcome discrimination and need assistance to cope with problems. It’s going to be an exciting experience for me, and I’d try my best to take as many risks as possible to build a successful future.
References
Ambrosino, R. (2016). Social work and social welfare: An introduction. Australia: Cengage Learning.
Betts, J. (n.d.). Examples of Social Justice Issues Facing the World. Retrieved December 05, 2020, from https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-social-justice-issues-facing-the-world.html
Britannica, E. (2019, December 11). Social Security Act. Retrieved December 05, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/Social-Security-Act-United-States-1935
Children, Youth and Family Services. (n.d.). Retrieved December 04, 2020, from https://dbh.dc.gov/service/children-youth-and-family-services
Freeman, E. (2013, June 11). Methods of Practice Interventions. Retrieved December 09, 2020, from https://oxfordre.com/socialwork/view/10.1093/acrefore/9780199975839.001.0001/acrefore-9780199975839-e-247
The Future of Social Work. (2017, August 28). Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://upcea.edu/the-future-of-social-work/
Koski, J. A. (2002). Substance Abuse Intervention, Prevention, Rehabilitation, and Systems Change Strategies. Helping Individuals, Families, and Groups to Empower Themselves (Book). Addiction, 97(6), 764–765. https://doi-org.libproxy.howardcc.edu/10.1046/j.1360-0443.2002.t01-4-00181.
Poverty | Encyclopedia of Greater Philadelphia says:, Says:, J., Says:, T., Says:, V., Says:, D., & *, N. (2016, December 01). English Poor Laws. Retrieved December 02, 2020, from https://socialwelfare.library.vcu.edu/programs/poor-laws/
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