Contemporary Social Work - Essay Example

Contemporary Social Work: Its Role, Responsibilities and Challenges Social work is defined as an organized effort to help individuals and families, especially in times of despair and difficulties, to adjust themselves to the challenges. Social work as a profession is an offshoot of early efforts of churches and philanthropic groups to heal the effects of poverty, to promote temperance and encourage thrift, to care for children, the sick, and the aged, and to correct the delinquent. Conventionally orphanages and old age homes were typical results of these activities. In its nascent stages social work was primarily a charity activity, which aimed at serving those who faced various sociological, psychological, financial and physical problems. Social work primarily lays emphasis on restoring individuals to normal life both for their own sake and for the sake of the community. With the change in times and life style, the parameters of social work have also undergone change. It has more or less taken shape of an organized sector and is an industry in it self. Various guidelines have been defined for social works and statutory powers have been given to people in this sector to ensure expedite and effective services to the community they cater to. To be able to cater to various segments of society in an organized and effective manner, present day social work imbibes three methods of assistance: case work, group work, and community organization. Case work is the method by which individual persons and families are assisted. The person in need of casework may be physically, mentally, or socially handicapped. People who are either unemployed, homeless, members of broken families, alcoholics, drug addicts, and neglected or problem children are catered to under this method. In this case it is imperative for a social worker to fathom the root cause of the problem, individual psychology as well as the sociology of the community. Experts from various fields like medical and other specialists are commonly required to contribute towards this method. Social group work is a relatively newer concept in social work, which includes establishing social settlements, building playgrounds, gymnasiums, schools etc. This method involves extensive participation of various authorities It also involves voluntarily services of public groups. In many incidents people living in poverty areas have been encouraged and employed to work in and direct poverty projects in their own communities. In community organization the welfare work of single agencies as well as of whole communities is directed, cooperation between public and private agencies is secured, and funds are raised and administered. The funds are often pooled in a community chest, from which private agencies receive a share. Community welfare councils are organized to map programs of rehabilitation, to eliminate duplication of services, and to discover and meet overlooked needs. The primary mission of social work is to better human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. In this context a social worker carries out the task of promoting social justice and social change. With a comprehensive knowledge of the community, social setup, its specific requirements, resources available and a foresight of achievable solutions to various problems social workers strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. Various activities which a social worker may apply or organize to achieve the set objectives may include community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Apart from assisting people in finding a solution to their problems social workers also seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. They also shoulder the responsibility of promoting and enhancing responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals' needs and social problems. Social workers invariably adhere to core values of social work as a profession and imbibe these in their activities. Core values of social work include: Service Social justice Dignity and worth of the person Importance of human relationships Integrity Competence Social workers also have a role as agents of social control. They must confront and challenge behavior and manage situations of danger and uncertainty. In this role they have statutory powers to act to protect individuals or communities. They are closely associated with the management of risk and with the distressing consequences of things going wrong in people's lives. This balance between care and control is perhaps the defining feature of social work and provides a dynamic tension which influences workload, priorities and public perceptions of the role. Social work is aimed at promoting social cohesion, and the part social workers play in enhancing general well being and quality of our lives cannot not be underestimated. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility for the protection and promotion of the welfare and well being of children, vulnerable adults and communities. This responsibility is usually discharged through social workers and others in the social service work force; however these services are configured or managed. Other legislation places particular duties on social workers in relation to people with mental illness and people in the criminal justice system as well as children in need. In these instances, the legislation reinforces the social worker's authority to act on behalf of society when people pose a risk to themselves or others or are placed at risk by the actions of others. Social work may receive an impetus or a setback depending on the execution of these statutory powers. Statutory powers for social workers vary from country to country and are specified in adherence to the country's legal system. Effective implementation of these statutory powers may greatly motivate a social project, whereas a delay may completely stall one. The effect is not only felt by the people engaged in the project but also by those whose welfare is being targeted. Definition of statutory powers for agencies engaged in social work were explicitly defined post Victoria Climbie case, which was a harrowing case of child abuse. It was this case which was used as a basis for formulation of National Codes of Practice for the tactical implementation of ethical codes and statutory powers for social agencies dealing with children related problems. The code of practice ensures: Ensure each agency undertakes their statutory duty to safeguard children Provide supervisory oversight with checks and balances against improper / over zealous use of powers or misfeasance Standardize procedures, manuals, training, inspection, review, information technology and stationery nationally. The role of a social worker would be incomplete unless the powers are effectively implemented and codes strictly followed. Effective social work services promote independence and resilience, enabling some of the most vulnerable, excluded and even dangerous people to play an active part in society, through achieving change. In this manner social work not only contributes towards delivering excellent public services, but also towards developing the economy by guiding and helping people to become self reliant. Despite the commendable work, which the profession does on daily basis, it is faced with tremendous pressures and challenges, which may effect and retard various developmental practices aimed at social welfare. The challenges faced by social work vary from uncooperative authorities to lack of funds to unreasonable expectations of individuals being catered to. Hesitation on the part of various authorities to support a social campaign to protect themselves from media and political criticism stalls the overall projects being run in a community. This also results in restricting opportunities for people who are a part of such social projects. Success of a social project depends on numerous factors and it is quintessential that there is coherence between all the factors to achieve the desired result. For example if there is a social project which need certain legal clearance, it cannot be completed without the expedite cooperation of legal authorities. Also social workers are often faced with the challenge of opposing influential people and making sure that their activates attain the desired result despite all hindrances. Some times the challenges are not external but internal. Like social workers may lack in effective managerial skills, which at times hinders in their activities. Inability to tackle people and risks often gives results, which are far less in potential. Keeping in tandem with the dynamics of society, social work has also adapted it self to best meet today' s requirements and provide solutions that best fit the contemporary life style. http://reference.allrefer.com/encyclopedia/S/socwork-the-development-of-social-work.html http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Publications/2006/02/02094408/6 Read More