Preparation for Social Practice - Case Study Example

 PREPARATION FOR PRACTICE Introduction The main aim of practicing social work is to help those in need especially people who are not able to solve certain issues within their lives. Social work has a specific structure and each element within the structure is required for it to be complete. This implies that the functions performed within social work are organically linked and interact among themselves. These structures are known as system integrity and form a larger holistic system. Social work comprises of activities that have been joined together and that include assessments, interventions as well as evaluations. By application of the entire social work process, social workers understand the integration as well as the interconnections that exist in the context of this practice. Each of the family members presented in the case study have experienced significant loss but are struggling to cope with life. However, all members are vulnerable in one way or the other. Although theoretical understanding can help in comprehending human behaviour, it cannot operate on its own. It requires skills, ethics, and knowledge values to enable individuals to deal with complex situations. The paper expounds on each family member and provides theories to help in further understanding. In addition, the skills, values, and knowledge that enable a social worker to function effectively will also be analysed. Discuss what knowledge and skills will help in communicating, with and assessing, the needs of, nine year old Dan? Effective communication skills represent one of the key foundations of social work practice. Therefore, a social worker requires a wide range of methods and theories for developing own communication skills. The adopted theories have a huge impact on the language used and determine the relationship between social workers and the users. This is an essential integral part of social work since relationships are important in this field. In this field, interpersonal communication can be said to be a complex process because it incorporates exchange of not only verbal but also non-verbal signals. Although the average person makes judgments mostly based on verbal communication, social workers are expected to recognize the vocal tones and bodily language to gain a deeper understanding of the information being passed (Koprowska, 2005). Social workers also require effective listening skills, which are very important especially when conversing with children. In the case of Dan, a 9-year-old boy, effective listening creates a child-cantered commitment with an inclusive experience. This also creates an environment within which Dan feel encouraged to speak out his thoughts as well as feelings freely (Hall, 2006). Certain factors can prohibit communication while others promote it. These factors include capacities, personal attributes, and competencies. In addition, other factors include interpersonal dynamics, diverse structural and social factors. The social worker has the responsibility of ensuring that their mode of communication is as effective as possible. This can help in promoting participation of the service user in activities such as planning and decision-making or even help the service worker in understanding and managing the user’s feelings and thoughts (Beckett, 2010). Therefore, it is of great importance to understand the core conditions that make communication with service users such as Dan more effective although these conditions change with users. Since Dan has been diagnosed with a condition known as autism, it might not be easy for him to respond to open ended queries as well as to process information made available to him. In such a case, it of critical importance to use simple words that do not bring jargon or acronyms to ensure that he can understand with ease. It would also be helpful for the social worker to plan through collecting substantial information regarding Ben’s emotional, medical, and educational backgrounds prior to meeting him. The social worker may attempt to find out whether Ben has any special needs, what levels he attains in education, and his general behaviour. In addition, it would also be of importance to meet the family members to ascertain the family’s dynamics and avoid seeing him in isolation. The maternal love as well as the interactions that children have in early life is of importance even in adulthood. Bowlby introduced the attachment theory, which views attachment as a source of security (Beckett & Taylor, 2010, p. 47). According to Bowlby, if a child has unfulfilled needs with regard to attachment, the child adapts certain defence mechanisms in the quest to develop a working model of the world (Beckett & Taylor, 2010, p. 47). Therefore, this theory may make sense in Ben’s early life as well as his attachment with the mother and the family members. As is the case with most children, when communicating with Dan, the social worker should be mindful of the language they choose as well as the tone and the questions that they may ask. It may be useful to prepare Ben in advance prior to seeing him. To make the visit more interactive, bringing some age appropriate toys may also help in creating a good relationship during the first visit. According to the guidelines of social work, any form of assessment should be directed towards the service user while building relationships with other members of the family. At the same time, the social worker should also respect the dignity, confidence, as well as the trust of the user. This is also applied when working in conjunction with other agencies that may be involved in the case. In such a case, the service worker must include feelings of the user as well as consider the decisions and opinions that the user may suggest. When assessing Dan’s case, it is of importance to consider specific outcomes that include being healthy, safe, and realization of goals as necessary to every child’s wellbeing. This is as stated under “Every Child Matter” (DFES, 2003) and the Children Act (1989, 2004). The most common framework used in assessing all children’s needs is known as the Common Assessment Framework or CAF. This is as described under the “Every Child Matters” agenda. The framework incorporates child’s developmental needs, environmental factors, parental capabilities of the parents, and the family factor (Department of health, 2000). With respect to Dan’s case, the framework may incorporate his health, emotions, education, behavioural development, social relationships, self-care skills, as well as identity. According to my assessment, the best option for Dan is to stay with his father until his mother is out of the hospital. Due to the condition that he is suffering from, autism, much support is needed from the family depending on his psychological development. In order to deal with the entire case effectively, it is important to consider Nigel, Dan’s father’s income, communal resources as well as family social integration. In addition, more help can be sought out from additional sources so as to understand Dan’s and family’s strengths as well as what can be done to help. The service worker should agree to the help that the family could offer as well as the services that can be provided by other parties. This should be recorded. The service worker should also refer to other services using the assessment to ensure that they demonstrate adequate evidence of the user’s needs. Following and tracking the progress is also essential to the entire process. The specific legislatures and policies that a social worker should follow when dealing with Dan’s case include the Children Act of 1989, which maintains that any child has the right to participate and their welfare is paramount. Other legislatures guarding this right include the Human Rights Act of 1998, the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child of1989, and the European Convention on Human Rights of 1950. Explain how a needs-led assessment would be undertaken with Harpreet? What legislation would apply and what services and resources might be appropriate and why? In Harpreet and family’s diverse and complex situation, adequate time is required to engage with the family so that they can understand why a social worker may be of great help to them. The social worker should then comprehend the resources, the concerns, and the interventions that can be applied. This is because transparency, honesty, and trust cannot be achieved instantly, as empathic interaction is required. The Recognition and Services Act of 1995 gives a social worker the right to assess own capability to provide care before providing it. It is essential for Harpreet to acquire information on how to gain access to diverse services. Harpreet requires regular breaks, which can be achieved by arranging for respite care with the parents. She may also require adequate financial advice as well as support to ensure that she has full social entitlements. It may also be a good idea to connect her with other support individuals in the same situation who can provide mutual support in a confidential manner. Taking into account that Harpreet is recovering from the loss of her husband, it could also be important to recommend counselling sessions. With respect to the elderly, the NHIS and Community Care Act of 1990 form the base of their assessment and intervention. The best help for Narpreet’s parents should be considered and could include either residential care or additional home support. The core of community care strategy is to coordinate different contributions from various providers such as voluntary providers, social services, and health through care management (Coulshed & Orme, 2006). The Department of Health has provided adequate information on the working of care management. Care management is defined as the process of providing services that match an individual’s requirements. The main tasks involved in arranging care include the publication of information, determining assessment level, making initial identification, comprehending individual needs, relating the needs to agency policies, and monitoring through support and control of the delivery plan. The last step in arranging care involves reviewing through reassessment of the service outcomes against the needs (HCPC, 2012). The key benefits of care management include supporting a need-led approach towards assessment as well as the use of resources to provide services that are individualized. Discuss how to work effectively with Narinder in order to represent his needs, views and circumstances? The key legislature that applies to Narinder’s case is the Community Care Assessment Directions 2004 Brammer (2010) and National Health Service and Community Care ACT 1990 (NHSCCA) s.46 and s.47. The social worker should take culture and ethnicity issues into consideration so as to work effectively with Narinder. This is because the user expects the social worker to represent his needs as well as views. Spirituality and religion issues should also be considered since they also influence the emotional wellbeing (Thompson, 2009). As such, the social worker has the responsibility of investigating Narinder’s area of life so as to ensure that any comment or decision does not contradict with his beliefs. This may include the type of food recommended. Since Narinder is not conversant with the English language, an interpreter will be required for clear communication. To assist in recovering lost memories, Narinder may require reminiscence therapy. The NASW stresses on anti-discriminatory provision of services. The latest code of ethics maintains that the social workers should have prior understanding of the cultural differences among the clients that they provide care to. This assists in provision of cultural-competent services (NASW, 2004). The provision of multi-professional teamwork in delivery of services is important. Multi-professional teamwork incorporates two main approaches. One of the approaches focuses its attention in improving relations in the group especially among professional colleagues through embracing shared mission and vision that increases coordination of work (Stogdon & Kiteley, 2010). The other approach revolves around knowledge management. According to this approach, teams bring different knowledge as well as skills together allowing them to contribute towards a larger objective, which is to provide personalized care according to specific needs (Cree, 2011). As a social worker dealing with the cases of Narinder, harleen, Nigel, Dan, and Harpreet, it is useful to consider the Health and Care Professions Council Guidance on Conduct and Ethics for students, the Professional Capabilities Framework, and Standards of Proficiency for Social workers residing in England. Identify the risks that may be involved in relation to Harleen. Discuss what couldbe done to minimise these risks? Some of the risks possible with Harleen include self-harm and even suicidal attempts. This implies that a mental assessment must be taken. The national standards and service models for mental health were stipulated by The National Service Framework for Mental Health (1999), National Services Framework, and The Mental Health Act (2007). These institutions covered health promotion, diagnostic and assessment, rehabilitation, treatment, and provision of special care (Thomson, 2009). To eliminate the risks that face Harleen, the social worker should work closely with Herleen to ensure that her needs are met. The main function of the social worker is to help the user to find harmony with the environment so that they can acquire the notion of every day’s life. This also helps in self-realization as well as self-improvement mostly through interaction. As the users gain the experience, they realize the significance of their actions that aids in understanding not only themselves but also others. Explain what reflective practice is and reflect on the strengths and weaknesses you feel you would have in relation to working with the people in the case study? The profession of social work faces four main understanding problems that include reflexive conceptual, situational, personal and communicative problems. These issues emerge as the individual worker is delivering the service to the user. To overcome these problems, professional competence is required especially in relation to the subjects under social work (Beckett, 2010). Reflection comprises an opportunity to reflect on own mental condition. This also incorporates understanding oneself and the other person. This helps the workers in controlling their activities when delivering the services to the user. The worker realizes their creativity potential through self-knowledge. Self-knowledge incorporates several elements that include self-observation, self-examination, self-awareness, and self-development. Self-awareness is mostly formed during social interactions and is used to solve certain social problems (Maclean & Harrison, 2009). Reflection appears both in the individual aspects as well as in the society. Here, the reflexive structures define the main processes that regulate interaction of diverse subjects. Explain what supervision is and what types of issues in relation to this case a student on placement would expect to discuss and share with their Practice Educator. Supervision and reflection go together. The main aim of supervision is to instil a sense of accountability. This implies that regular supervision is important as it allows responsibilities to be shared upwards. Supervision depends on the relationship between the supervisor and the individual being supervised and therefore is a period of self-growth. Although it is displaced by the management function most of the times, it helps the worker in reflecting on the work (Cree, 2011). Although supervision incorporates an integrative process, it is usually about facilitation, staff socialization, professional development, and services delivery. In social work, the main function of the supervisor is to direct services to the available clients (Beckett, 2010). Good supervision is an important skill in social work. This is because it helps the social worker in deepening their understanding (Howe, 2009). Supervision incorporates three main sections that include accountability issues, supportive components, and educational issues (Trevithick, 2011). It can also be used to recognise an individual’s weaknesses as well as their strengths. To aid in reflection during supervision, a SWOT analysis is one of the ways of ensuring success in this quest (Wyke, 2011). The type of communication used for different ages is not the same. For instance, positive language would be helpful in Ben’s case while a client centred approach may be beneficial for older clients. The level of supervision is also dependent on the complexity of the case. For an issue such as Ben’s, supervision is essential so that the supervisor and the social worker can discuss all possible actions and issues. The social worker should take advantage of the supervision to learn and gain experience. This would help in promotion of both professional and personal skills. Supervision is at the core of service-based practice since a sense of shared responsibility is encouraged (Maclean & Harrison, 2009). Moreover, development of trust is also a core requirement in social work. The CSWA (1997) and NASW (1996) codes of ethics outline the values, attitudes, and principles on which social work practice depend. This helps in making ethical decisions. By following these directives, the social worker is required to maintain service user privacy as well as confidentiality. However, this is in exception of specific circumstances. The profession of social work requires a balance of skills supported by strong values to work together in negotiating roles as well as protector roles with the families and individuals when the need arises. I have high hope that the next placement that will be awarded to me will help in improving my skills at engagement, assessment of situations and needs, implementing and reviewing plans, and in planning a way forward. It is of great importance to establish alliances so as to acquire more skills in ways that would benefit most service users. Conclusion The family has complex issues as well as requirements that need to be addressed in a supportive manner. Since people are at different stages of life, they require different forms of care. Although theories can help in understanding these issues and even explain on the behaviours, they cannot work alone for full resolution of an issue. Here, theory must be part of skills, values, and ethics so that a social worker can effectively engage and help in resolving a problem. The social workers apply this knowledge to improve people’s lives. 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