Preview

Social Work Law and Practice Assignment Essay Example

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
3997 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Social Work Law and Practice Assignment Essay Example
“To be accountable is literally to be liable to be called upon to give an account of what one has done or not done. The account may include all or some of descriptions, explanations, excuses or justifications.” (Banks, 2004, p.150). Within my current agency context I have a professional accountability which appoints me a duty to carry out and justify my work through; informed theoretical knowledge, professional judgements and legal frameworks which govern the social work profession in the field of criminal justice (Kleinig, 2008).
To date I have carried out my ‘supervised direct practice placement’ within a third sector agency whose aim within the ideal of social care and protection is to promote the economic and social welfare in Scotland in working with ex-offenders and young people deemed ‘at risk’ to provide them with the transferable skills they each require to help them find or stay within employment or education (Agency Policy, 2010a). The variety of settings and engagement styles I worked within over this period of time, although diverse, all aimed to uphold the organisations statement of purpose which defines that, “our work adheres to the use of the organisation’s employability model to; identify, assess and tackle barriers faced by our service users such as debt, family problems and offending. This service delivery should reflect upon the relevant techniques and guidance which focus on reducing re-offending and providing both guidance and advice on conviction relevance and disclosure” (Agency Policy, 2011b).
As a social work student I have accountability and adherence to various bodies and individuals whom govern my professional practice. This duty to the work within the lines of multiple accountabilities which are often in tension with each other pose complexity on the work I deliver, which in turn both represents thus public bodies whilst safeguards and promotes the welfare of service users. This statement is agreed by Ingram (2011) who indicates

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Essay On Social Work

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Social work is a practice-based profession as well as an academic discipline that advocates social change, development, and the empowerment and liberation of society for individuals and communities in need. Professionals in the field of social work help people overcome some of life’s most difficult challenges such as poverty, discrimination, abuse, addiction, physical illness, divorce, loss, unemployment, educational problems, disabilities and mental illnesses. They help prevent crises by counseling individuals, families, and communities to cope more effectively with the stresses of everyday life. Social work is based upon the principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities. My ambition to be…

    • 648 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    PCF assignment

    • 1959 Words
    • 8 Pages

    Professionalism is an integral part of social work it is there for essential that as a social worker I remain committed to my professional development by tracking responsibility for my conduct practice and learning regularly ( BASW Code of ethics 2013). I understand that the professional element of the role is key component of what being a social worker is about and intend to safeguard the reputation by making sure my conduct adheres at all times to the standards set out by the HCPC. I have demonstrated these attributes by undergoing a three day shadowing placement in which I was able to get to grips practically with the nature of the role, whilst simultaneously understanding the importance of maintaining a high level of professionalism and due diligence to the code of ethics .From my lecture notes I have been able to understand the role that professional boundaries and behaviours play in social work. I have had the opportunity to see examples first hand through role play scenarios during class and because of this have made a real comprehensive effort to ensure I am up to date and clear with issues surrounding these. Additionally through further reading I have been able to develop the…

    • 1959 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Good Essays

    Social Workers need an initial understanding of the legal policy frameworks and guidance that inform and mandate social Work Practice (PCF 5). In Social Work practice law plays a number of significant roles. Many social work clients are involved in legal systems such as, criminal justice, mental health or child protection. In order to support clients to navigate their way through these legal systems more effectively, social workers need to be aware of the laws that regulate each system. Knowledge of the law and social policy should provide social workers with a practical understanding of their clients rights and responsibilities. As a social worker you also need to remember that the profession itself is also regulated by various laws. (Barsky,…

    • 121 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Client discussed upcoming court appointment (scheduled for 2/3/16) and the anxiety attached to this event. Client expressed being worried about the impact of past absenteeism from PCO. Fore-mentioned topic encompassed the repercussions absences will have on his mandate being lifted. Client and counselor subsequently discussed in detail the minimal expectations of attendance while enrolled in PCO.…

    • 126 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    P7 Unit 6

    • 1426 Words
    • 4 Pages

    A social worker’s role is to help people with their issues and also their families, in order to help to adjust to the problems that are occurring throughout their lives. They most frequently work with those problems such as, child abuse, substance, abuse, mental illness, anti-social behaviour and many more. A social worker would specialise in a certain area and help a person with that certain situation. However, some people’s issues may be unchangeable therefore they help others to adjust to the situation and help them in order to accept that certain situations may not be able to be changed. Social workers usually work with the government in departments such as offices, clinics, prisons, hospitals, nursing homes, schools, businesses and many more. Being a social worker has numerous responsibilities entailed with the job which comes with helping others such as, preparing interviews with the service users and their families which enables them all to evaluate the situation, offering support through counselling, or group therapy to the service user and their family, ensure that the support offered enables the service user to lead their life as well as possible. Although a vital role within social work is to ensure the safety, security and well-being and caring for the service users and their families it also involves numerous responsibilities that are a legal requirement within social work such as, giving evidence when necessary in court for the person they are working with, writing accurate records of what has occurred and preparing reports for special meetings (this may possibly be court too), writing up assessments about the situation that meet the stated standards and is on a timescale,…

    • 1426 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    This essay will identify a case I have been involved in and have continuously had to assess whilst on placement. It will refer to a child who will be identified as A. A is a young carer and has only recently returned home after being removed from his mothers care due to her having a substance abuse problem and mental health concerns. I will link the legal framework that was relevant to this case study and describe actions taken. Additionally these actions will demonstrate the application of social work methods and theories that were contributive elements in his intervention, offering explanations as to why these particular methods were used. Before closing, the essay will review any issues of discrimination with a reflection of the overall process of working with this child throughout the duration of my placement and end with a conclusion.…

    • 2117 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    The purpose of this essay is to present a case study that was allocated to me on my second placement setting. I will discuss some of the ethical dilemmas which I have encountered and how I have dealt with them in a professional way. Anti-oppression/discrimination and reflective practice will also be analysed in order to demonstrate how they guided me throughout my work. I will also illustrate how the theories and legislation were incorporated within my practice. Working on this case also gave me the opportunity to work in partnership with other professionals from different fields, such as: Local social workers, Police , court , Youth oddending team and youth worker, health, housing, education,counselling.…

    • 2249 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    What is accountability? Accountability is, “a requirement, usually impose by a funding source that an agency perform according to a certain set of standards” (Mandell & Schram, 2012, p. 550). In human services filed, accountability has always been a significant component. Being accountable basically define as the responsibility to answer questions concerning decisions and/or actions. Nowadays, as federal, state, and local requirements, detail of policy is spelled out in human service system (American Public Human Services Association [APHSA], 2013).…

    • 658 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Reflective case study

    • 4795 Words
    • 15 Pages

    The assignment is intended to discuss a case I worked on whilst on my final placement and use an analytic stance to discuss the interaction and interventions used with the service user. In order to maintain confidentiality and anonymity of the service users in this case study I will be using pseudonyms for all people involved and mentioned in relation to this case. The assignment will demonstrate professional judgement, accountability of a social worker and the statutory requirements of protection and intervention when working with vulnerable adults. The case study will focus on my work with Sarah throughout my time on placement and assess my principal interventions as well as locating my work within the wider discourses around risk deploying both recovery and exchange models. It will also highlight the strengths and limitations within the process of recovery. Within this case study I will aim to describe and analyse the practice, theories and values that have emerged by carrying out this piece of work. The assignment will critically evaluate my practice with specific reference to the social work skills used. By reflecting on my practice I hope to demonstrate how I have considered issues such as power imbalances and social injustice and how this consideration has assisted me to work in an anti-oppressive, non-judgemental way with the service user involved. With reference to this particular case study I will also demonstrate to the reader the power imbalance that existed between the professionals in terms of their approach. This was clearly evident in relation to the social model approach versus the medical model approach. Drawing on my observation and the experience of working within an inter-professional team I will provide critical appraisal of the issues and barriers that existed. I will also compare, contrast and evaluate the medical and social model of mental health and mental disorder by referring to appropriate literature and…

    • 4795 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Essay in Social Work Theory

    • 3589 Words
    • 15 Pages

    ASSIGNMENT TITLE: Choose at least two social work theories; explain their main principles, advantages and disadvantages and apply them to the assessment, planning and intervention in one of the case studies provided below. Discuss your rationale for choosing the theories selected.…

    • 3589 Words
    • 15 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    When I reflect on my work day, I am overwhelmed by the stories of injustice, motivated by many journeys of resilience, and eager to add to the resolution of Seattle’s homeless state of emergency. I am a housing stability case manager for a multi-service community action group in Seattle, Washington. My work and my clients have evolved my sense of community and urban planning. I advocate and work with families who are living in places not meant for human habitation, to find creative housing/shelter options that will cost the city little to no money. The program I am helping the city of Seattle pilot is diverting families from having to enter the coordinated family shelter system. Our family shelter system in Seattle is overwhelmed, underserved,…

    • 1086 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Many social workers feel frustrated by the fact that when dealing with adult abuse cases there is no statute that is equivalent to the Children Act 1989. However, there are several pieces of policy and legislation that social workers can draw upon to support their practice that will both empower and protect individuals who find themselves in vulnerable situations. (Pritchard, 2009)…

    • 2444 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Law for Social Work

    • 8921 Words
    • 36 Pages

    AMENDING EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 15 SERIES OF 1998, ENTITLED "REDIRECTING THE FUNCTIONS AND OPERATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE AND DEVELOPMENT"…

    • 8921 Words
    • 36 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Better Essays

    Social Work Law

    • 2613 Words
    • 11 Pages

    GIBBONS-WOOD, L et al., 2008, Chapter : Social Work Law in Scotland 2nd Edition. Edinburgh: W. Green & Son Ltd pp 169…

    • 2613 Words
    • 11 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Advocacy in Social Work

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Social workers from the probation service aim to ‘advise, assist and be-friend’ their clients and encourage them towards a more socially acceptable way of life. In court social workers act on their clients behalf and try to…

    • 516 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays