Social Work Practice - Book Report/Review Example

-1Annotated Bibliography 1) Identify the text or source with details as required in the Harvard System Littlechild, B, (2004), "Social work in theUK: The Professional debate in relation to values and managerialism", IUC Journal of Social Work: Theory and Practice, No. 7, accessed 21 Jan 2006 from: http://www.bemidjistate.edu/sw_journal/issue07/articles/Social%20work%20in%20UK.htm. 2) A brief summary of the text/section and it purpose Littlechild's writing focuses on the current debate in the field of social work on what the true identity of social work is. The author points out that current trends in social work have seen the increased importance that has been placed on regulations from government and agencies, and new formulations of managerialism rather than on the values and professionalism that should define social work. Particular focus was placed on the work of social workers in the realm of child protection. Basically, the issues discussed include the following: These include dilemmas concerning advocacy for service users when this may be contrary to employing agencies' interests, judging who is the service user and whose interests the worker is primarily representing when that individual's interests may be in conflict with those of others the worker needs to take into account, and last, but certainly not least, the more basic difficulty that the value base is predicated upon white, eurocentric, westernised, liberal democratic traditions (Littlechild, 2004) The literature in question explores the various issues that currently hound social work practitioners. The various issues discussed include the perceived importance that has been placed on administrative issues rather than on work with clients and on the shift management styles to one that is more commonly used in the private sector. Such issues have led to the decrease in professionalism in the field of social work which is deemed to be contrary to the true definition of what social work really is. Managerialism, supervision and training and education were likewise discussed to highlight the problems that social workers face during these times. The article concluded by saying that nowadays, social work has been subjected to more controlling elements by the state especially in the UK. Through its analysis, the article aimed to determine how such policies and regulations could co-exist with the code of practice and professionalism required in the field of social work. Recommendations to the further development of social work were likewise cited by the Littlechild. 3) What was your initial purpose of consulting the text or source I first consulted the text in my effort to come up with a professional processes portfolio as part of my study as a social worker. I needed to determine what issues currently plague the profession and what factors affect the development of the field of social work. The text in question provided me with vital information with regards to the most pressing issues that social workers face in today's time. Such information was useful for me since I was able to identify some of the barriers that hinder social workers from fulfilling their goals. 4) What questions need to be addressed What are the problems that social workers currently face in their effort to provide genuine service to those in need of such How has the professionalism of social workers been affected by the changes made to policies and regulations with regards to social welfare What should social workers do in order to preserve the identity of their profession 5) All theories have strengths and weaknesses. No theory provides a complete account. How is this identified in your chosen text Littlechild's writing covers all possible areas of social work wherein perceived problems may arise. Also, the author used well-regarded studies to back up what the article is trying to assert. More importantly, the article was published in a professional journal which means that those in the field back what the author asserts in the writing. Furthermore, for every problem area identified by the author, a possible solution is given. Finally, the author signifies that the issue requires further study and research which signifies that what she has written should not be taken as the final word in the issue. 6) How can the information be incorporated into your study or into personal / professional development There are several ways by which the information contained in the text in question may be used in my practice of social work. For one, I will try to avoid being ruled by policies and regulations as doing so may lead me to disregard what being a social worker really is. Instead, I will focus more on providing the service that is expected of me. Also, by knowing what issues hinder the practice of social work today, I will be able avoid such dilemmas and find possible solutions to the problems at hand. Annotated Bibliography 2 1) Identify the text or source with details as required in the Harvard System International Federation of Social Workers, (2000), Definition of Social Work, accessed 21 Jan 2006 from: http://www.ifsw.org/en/p38000208.html. 2) A brief summary of the text/section and it purpose The text in question defines social work. It is defined as: The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work. This definition was developed and adopted in 2000 by the IFSW in its General Meeting in Montreal, Canada. Furthermore, the article includes a discussion of how social work is practiced as well as the values and theories upon which the profession is built on. It states that the goal of social work is assist people so as to allow them to develop to their full potential, enrich their lives, and prevent the various dysfunctions that they may acquire in the course of their lives. The text further states that social workers serve as agents of change in the lives of people living in the communities in which they serve. According to the IFSW, human rights and social justice serve as the backbone of the profession and all actions taken by social workers should have such ideals in mind. Also, the article states that the profession of social work is hinged on various theories of human development and behaviour as well as on social systems. These theories are utilized to analyse complex situations and to facilitate individual, organisational, social and cultural changes. Also, social work involves the utilisation of various skills and techniques which are hinged on the holistic approach on people and their environments. The profession involves the use of various intervention techniques such as counselling, clinical social work, group work, social pedagogical work, and family treatment. The use of such techniques is all aimed towards removing the barriers, inequities and injustices that exist in society. 3) What was your initial purpose of consulting the text or source I consulted the text primarily because I was in search of the definition of social work. Since I was developing a portfolio of the processes involved in the social work profession, I needed a well-established and widely accepted definition of social work. IFSW is one of the major professional organisations in the field of social work. Therefore, a definition that they adopt in vital in understanding what it really means to be a social worker. For any social worker, it is necessary to truly understand what being a social worker really is in order to accomplish the objectives that the profession aims to achieve in the world today. The text in question allows one to understand the basic principles that underlie the work of a social worker. 4) What questions need to be addressed What is social work What are the values that social work aims to promote in society What are the functions and objectives of the practice of social work What are the skills and techniques utilized in the social work profession 5) All theories have strengths and weaknesses. No theory provides a complete account. How is this identified in your chosen text The definition of social work contained in the text is a revision of the definition adopted in 1982 by the IFSW. This means that the said definition is more current and is based on the current problems that society faces today. By revising the outdate definition, IFSW was able to take into consideration developments in the practice of social work as well as the current needs of society. However, the text also pointed out that there is no one definition that exhausts all the ideals and principles of the profession. Therefore, there is no single definition that must be considered in defining social work. Since social work is a dynamic profession, such definition should be revised every so often so as to ensure that it up to date with the times. 6) How can the information be incorporated into your study or into personal / professional development As a social worker, I will try to live by the ideals that my profession is built on. I will try to promote the values that social work aims to spread. I will help in achieving the goals that the profession of social work aims to achieve as they are stated in the definition provided by IFSW. Annotated Bibliography 3 1) Identify the text or source with details as required in the Harvard System British Association of Social Workers, (2002), Code of Ethics for Social Work, accessed 14 Feb. 2006 from BASW website: http://basw.co.uk/articles.phparticleId=2&page=1. 2) A brief summary of the text/section and it purpose The British Association of Social Workers is the largest association to represent social workers and the social work profession in the United Kingdom. The purpose of the organisation is push for the continued development of the practice of social work as well as the continued good practice of the social workers in the country. The text in question was developed by the BASW to provide social workers with a written code of practice. The said code of ethics sets the professional standards to which members of the said organisation subscribe. It contains a set of guidelines with regards to various areas of the social work profession. The main purpose of the text is to provide ethical and professional guidelines as to how social workers should conduct themselves in the practice of their profession. According to the BASW, the main objective of the Code of Ethics is, "To express the values and principles which are integral to social work, and to give guidance on ethical practice." The code includes the definition of social work that BASW has adopted. Moreover, it describes the conduct of social work which the association is trying to promote. Furthermore, the said text outlines the basic values and principles that social workers are committed to. It furthers such values by including the various ways by which social workers promote or live by these values. These include ethical guidelines that are aimed at promoting the practice of social work. Also included in the text is a detailed listing of the various duties of social workers with regards to the promotion of specific values and principles. For instance, the text lists down the various ways by which social workers can promote the value of social justice, which is one of the basic values that the social work profession lives by. Basically, the text serves a guide for social workers on how to conduct themselves in their work. It aides social workers in knowing what a social worker really is and how to act like one. 3) What was your initial purpose of consulting the text or source As a social worker, I need to know what guidelines are being promulgated and endorsed in my profession. More importantly, I needed to understand what was expected off social workers as well as how social workers are expected to act. The text in question was able to enlighten me with regards to the professional guidelines that social workers must live by. However, I first consulted the text as part of my research aimed at coming up with a portfolio in the professional processes in the field of social work. The text in question is a valuable source of information since it is the code of practice being endorsed by the largest association of social workers in the whole country. As such, the code of ethics it pushes for is what is being accepted and used by many social workers all throughout the country. 4) What questions need to be addressed What are the values that social work promotes How are these values realised in the practice of social work What are the duties and responsibilities of social workers in general 5) All theories have strengths and weaknesses. No theory provides a complete account. How is this identified in your chosen text The BASW is the largest organisation of social workers in the United Kingdom. As such, the code of ethics that it promotes is widely popular in the professional circle of social workers in the country. It is followed by many social workers especially all the members of the BASW. The code of ethics is based on the definition of social work adopted by the IFSW. This ensures that the guidelines detailed in the said text subscribe to the international standards of the social work profession. 6) How can the information be incorporated into your study or into personal / professional development I will try to fulfil all the duties of a social worker as described in the code. I will try to conduct myself in manner that ascribes to the code. I will encourage fellow social workers to follow the said code of ethics so that more social workers will conduct themselves in the proper manner. Annotated Bibliography 4 1) Identify the text or source with details as required in the Harvard System General Social Care Council, (2002), Codes of Practice for social care workers and employers, GSCC, accessed 14 Feb. 2006 from: http://www.gscc.org.uk/NR/rdonlyres/8E693C62-9B17-48E1-A806-3F6F280354FD/0/Codes_of_Practice.doc. 2) A brief summary of the text/section and it purpose The text in question serves as the first ever UK-wide codes of practice for social care workers and employers. The codes are the first statutory codes of practice for social care workers and their employers. These were launched in September 2002. The said codes aim to provide guidance for everyone involved in social care. Furthermore, it aims to provide standards of practice for both social workers and employers as well as how the said parties can work together in order to achieve the goals of social care. According to the developers of the said codes, the GSCC, the codes, "Are a critical part of regulating the social care workforce and helping to improve levels of professionalism and public protection." The development of the codes entailed widespread consultation with social care workers, service users and carers in 2002. Furthermore, the said codes aim to promote good practice as well as the sharing of values within the profession and the sector of society. According to the GSCC, "Many people rely on the honesty, integrity and professional skills of social care workers and these codes spell out the standards people can expect of them." Basically, the text in question lists down the guidelines for social workers as well as for those who employ them. The codes are made up of the following: The Code of Practice for Social Care Workers sets out the standards of professional conduct and practice required of social care workers. The Code of Practice for Employers of Social Care Workers sets out the responsibilities of employers in the regulation of social care workers. 3) What was your initial purpose of consulting the text or source Since the source in question is the first code being pushed by the institution tasked with monitoring social work, it is vital for social workers like me to understand what is required of social workers. The code serves as our guide as to how to become professional in giving social care services to users. Also, I consulted the text as part of my research regarding the professional development of social work in the United Kingdom. Since the said codes are the first statutory code, its inclusion into any research regarding the professional development of social work is not just vital; it is necessary. 4) What questions need to be addressed What are the standards of conduct and practice which social workers must follow How do employers contribute to the regulation of social workers and the continued development of the profession What is expected of social workers and how are the expectations and standards enforced 5) All theories have strengths and weaknesses. No theory provides a complete account. How is this identified in your chosen text Being the first codes that are statutory in nature, the source in question holds a primary spot in the social work profession. Since it is the first code to be developed at a national level in the United Kingdom, it warrants that every social worker must know and understand their duties are these are highlighted in the said code. Also, although may other organisations have come up with various codes of practice and ethics for social workers, this is the first document that considers the duties and responsibilities of the employers of social workers as well. More importantly, it is the first to integrate the duties and responsibilities of social workers and employers and how they must work together to continue the progression and development of social care in the country. 6) How can the information be incorporated into your study or into personal / professional development The primary way by which I could incorporate the information contained in the codes is to ensure that all my actions as a social worker are bounded by the guidelines and principles included in the codes. I must always try to be the most professional social worker I can be by trying to live by the code. Read More