Social Work Principles - Case Study Example

Social Work Principles Institution Date Abstract Social work among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be challenging. As a social worker I am burdened with the task of helping these communities overcome discrimination and undo white privilege. If I behave inappropriately while interacting with the aborigines I risk enhancing the perception of discrimination most Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients hold. It is therefore imperative for social workers practicing among indigenous people to develop principles of practice that will make their social work engagement with indigenous people successful. Introduction Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have been continually subjected to discrimination since Australia was colonised. The social and emotional wellbeing of Indigenous Australians has been adversely affected by socioeconomic disadvantage and continued racism. In addition, Indigenous people are still affected by trauma that is a result of centuries of oppression under white domination. Violence, alcoholism and suicide are high among indigenous people, an indicator that there are many deep running problems with the social wellbeing of indigenous Australians. Data from the ABS shows that almost a third (32 per cent) of indigenous people above the age of 18 have experienced high or very high levels of psychological distress, on the other hand just 16 per cent of non-Indigenous people have experienced psychological distress (Parker and Milroy, 2010). Unfortunately, racism and white privilege are some of the most common sources of psychological distress among indigenous people. In a health survey, almost two thirds of Indigenous respondents reported they were target of racism often or very often. According to Gallaher et al (2009), regular experiences of racism are linked to poor mental health. Sadly, I came to discover racism targeting indigenous people is still high as shown by a survey in two metropolitan and rural areas in Victoria. The Survey reported that almost all (97%) of the 755 indigenous people surveyed had experienced racism in the past one year (VicHealth, 2012). Most of the indigenous people sampled for the survey reported that they were psychologically distressed; again reinforcing the idea that racism is connected to poor mental health. The Role of a Social Worker As a social worker it is important to recognise the effects of racism and perceived white privilege while working with indigenous people. As a social worker, I have committed to ending the racism and undoing the privilege to non-indigenous people that has led to Indigenous people being worse off in emotional and social wellbeing (Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2012). As a social worker I commit to ending discrimination of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I recognise that: The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People were the first Australians, and the land we now occupy was originally theirs. I strive to respect their unique values and help them continue their rich culture which enriches and deepens our communities. The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage historically and in the present day and I have the role of ending and remedying this great disadvantage. The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People make immense contribution to Australian society and they have abilities, strengths and competencies that are crucial to improving their wellbeing. Social work should be culturally sensitive, responsive and safe to ensure that the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People do not experience further discrimination. Principles of working with the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People To undo the privilege and discrimination that has seen Aboriginal and Torres Islander People score poorly on social and health wellbeing, I have developed a number of principles to be used by social workers practicing among indigenous communities. Principle of Values and Ethics Social workers come up against many ethical dilemmas, issues and problems. As a social worker I have several personal values that guide me through ethical dilemmas. Social workers demonstrate that the values of social work are integral to their practice, they uphold their ethical responsibilities and they act appropriately when faced with ethical problems, issues and dilemmas (Australian Association of Social Workers; AASW, 2013). Some of the values that guide me while practicing among indigenous people include: Social Justice and respect for human rights: I recognize the need for society that is just and recognizes the unalienable human rights of each member of society regardless of whether he/she is indigenous or non-indigenous. Discrimination Intolerance: I do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in my work and seek to empower those who are disadvantaged to reduce their vulnerability to discrimination (Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2012). Intolerance of Unjust systems: I seek to identify and dismantle structures and social system that preserve injustices and inequalities (AASW, 2013). Challenge Injustices: I commit to apply policies and practices that are non-discriminatory and meet international standards of social inclusion, human rights and social development. Ethical responsibilities: I recognise that I have a number of ethical responsibilities to the community I am working with, to the social work profession and to society in general. In my social work practice among the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People, I have strived to apply the values and ethics of social work set out above by (AASW, 2013): Identifying and critically analysing ethical dilemmas experienced in the field with the value and ethics outlined above. Discussing ethical dilemmas with all relevant parties and attempting to reach a just conclusion. Consulting with the supervisor on the best way of solving ethical dilemmas that I face in my work. Seeking guidance from my supervisor whenever other people are in a position to contravene the ethical guidelines set out in the AASW code. Critically reflecting on my own professional and personal ethics and values and how they apply to my social work practice. Principle of Professionalism As a social worker, I commit to actively promote and support the social work profession. According to AASW (2013), social workers must be accountable and always act with professionalism and integrity to be the best ambassadors of the profession. During my field work among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People I represented my profession well by (AASW, 2013): Practicing social work activities and contributing to enhancement of social work knowledge base. During my practice I conducted research, evaluated the impact of my classroom knowledge when applied to an actual social work situation, consulted other social work practitioners and presented my finding to the University. I plan to outline on how social work processes, values and outcome apply to the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People social work context. Promoting and modelling social work ethics, values and objectives in my practice. My conduct was accountable and my actions were always controlled by my principles. According to AASW (2013), a practicing social worker should always behave professionally and account for all of his actions and decisions in the field. I also integrated a number of practice guidelines suggested by the AASW (2013) to ensure that work represented the profession well: Social workers should acknowledge that they are in a position of power where they can use their authority to enhance the interest of the community or individuals they are working with. Social workers should offer the community they are working with the opportunity to evaluate their works and inform them of their social work organisation’s complaint mechanisms. Respect applicable personal/professional boundaries. Recognise and announce situations where conflict of interest arises. Maintain the confidentiality of client information and understand the impact of privacy law on the sharing of information. Acknowledge the influence of personal issues or factors on their practice and seek support (Parker and Milroy, 2010). Make sure all actions, recommendations and decisions are justified and acknowledge that their skills, knowledge and competence are limited. Looks for information or support in case their professional capabilities are not adequate. Principle of Cultural Inclusion and Sensitivity The Principle of Cultural Inclusion and sensitivity is arguably the most important principle to apply for a social worker practicing among Aboriginal and Torres Islander People. As a practicing social worker I commit to being inclusive and respect the cultural diversity and differences of the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People (AASW, 2013). Some of the steps taken to ensure inclusion of this principle in my social work include: Awareness of the diversity between the Aboriginal and Torres Islander and non-indigenous people and also the diversity within the indigenous people. Communities are different in terms of ethnicity, economic statuses, age, sexuality, disability, gender, faith and beliefs. Respectful and proactive promotion of the rights of the Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples in Australian society. Awareness and acknowledgment of the complex cultural identity of the Aboriginal and Torres Islander Peoples and their impact on my social work practice. Adaptation and modification of practice in order to make it more effective and inclusive among the indigenous groups I was working with. I always considered that indigenous people are different in terms of cultural values, identities, beliefs, affiliations and customs. According to Dudgeon et al (2010), a number of steps can be taken to ensure that social work practice is culturally sensitive and inclusive as regard the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. These steps include: Collaborative work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples with the objective of developing social work practices that are culturally sensitive. Engagement in continuous professional development: social workers should consult with members of their professional community and work with them in learning and research to gain new knowledge and effective practices for promoting the social wellbeing of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. In my practice I have been involved in several culturally sensitive programs targeting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. One of these programs is the cultural continuity and healing program. Cultural continuity and healing programs According to Wexler (2009), Indigenous people who are still affiliated or engaged by their culture are more resilient and report better wellbeing scores than those who have been culturally disengaged. Hallet et al (2007) reports very low suicide rates among British Columbia (Canada) aboriginal youth who had a conversational knowledge of their ethnic language. Similar reports were found in Bals et al (2011) which reported Sami (Arctic Indigenous) youths who were competent in their native language and were still culturally engaged to be better protected from psychological distress. In Australia, Western Australian Aboriginal children under the care of ethnic babysitters were found to be less vulnerable to emotional or behavioural problems (Zubrick et al. 2005). Dockery (2011) reported that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who spoke the indigenous languages and were still strongly affiliated with indigenous culture were happier than other indigenous people. Unfortunately, strong cultural affiliation and the ability to speak indigenous language also make indigenous people the target of discrimination. The actual or perceived discrimination leads to higher levels of psychological stress. I feel that social workers and social worker organisation should be on the frontline or promoting cultural continuity and engagement among indigenous people. As seen earlier, cultural continuity is closely linked to improved psychological wellbeing among indigenous communities (Westerman, 2010). I was involved in two cultural continuity and healing programs and their positive effect on the wellbeing of the involved communities are a source of personal satisfaction for me. Principle of Effective communication Effective communication and interpersonal skills are some of the most critical competences a social worker working with the aboriginal people is supposed to posses. Social workers practicing among Indigenous Australians should be able to communicate their messages successfully and effectively. However, I found communicating with people from a culture different from my own a daunting challenge. Aboriginal and non-aboriginal culture is distinct making the communication a greater challenge (Dudgeon et al, 2010). To make this communication effective one needs an understanding of Aboriginal culture. It was imperative for me to understand the rules and protocols that regulate communication among the aboriginal community I was working with. If the communication protocols are broken, most Indigenous Australians are offended and communication breaks down. The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ meaning system and worldview varies from that of non-indigenous Australians. This means that the risk of messages being misinterpreted is great and poor communication leads to misunderstanding, confusion, disappointment and resentment. During my social work practice among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples I used a number of communication strategies to communicate effectively. These strategies included: Appropriate use of verbal and non-verbal communication relevant to the individual, colleague or member of the community I was communicating with. Adaptation of communication style and form to make it appropriate for the audience or communication party. Appropriate use of mediation, conflict management and negotiation skills to achieve communication objectives. Respect of religious protocols. According to Dudgeon et al (2010), the observance of the following communication protocols will ensure effective communication while practicing among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: Use of a guide to ensure competent communication. Familiarisation with the communication protocols and other relevant cultural norms. Respect the local customs as regard communication, dress and restricted places. Do not cause anyone you are communicating with to lose face. Do not criticise individuals directly. Use tact while communicating and always be patient and discreet. Do not talk too much, especially in the company of elders. Do not address anybody informally unless permitted to do so, in particular use titles such as chairman or councillors. Avoid being submissive; indigenous people appreciate confidence, organisation and professionalism. Do not underestimate the skills and knowledge held by the community. Dress decently as poor dressing may offend Respect distinct boundaries between women and men in the society and always behave appropriately towards the opposite sex. Interpersonal Skills Successful engagement with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients is dependent on good interpersonal skills. You are supposed to show that you are trustworthy, sincere, honest and open. You can do this by being aware and appreciating the culture of the community you are working in. My knowledge of local culture, history and customs enabled me to empathise with the issues facing my clients. Building a good relationship with the host community is key to a successful engagement. I was able to do this by taking a genuine interest in the issues affecting the community and the individuals I was working with. However, I avoided intruding too deeply into the personal matters of individuals. I tried to be helpful and friendly in my dealing with the community and I found this was particularly appreciated. According to Dudgeon et al (2010), courtesy and kindness leads to a good relationship with aboriginal people. Honesty is also greatly appreciated and a practicing social worker must tell the truth all the time. Lying among the Torres Strait Islanders community destroys credibility permanently. Conclusion Working as a social worker among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can be a satisfying experience. My engagement offered me an opportunity to help the indigenous communities overcome discrimination and undo privilege which has continued to impact their psychological wellbeing negatively. I have used this paper as an opportunity to develop a number of principles a social worker can apply in their practice to ensure the inclusiveness of indigenous communities in Australian society. In particular, the paper presents the Principle of Cultural Inclusion and sensitivity which promotes recognition and appreciation of indigenous people cultural differences and diversity. I feel application of the social work principles articulated in this people will allow social workers to successfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. References Australian Association of Social Workers (2013). Practice Standards. Canberra: Australian Association of Social Workers Chenoweth, L & McAuliffe, D. (2012). The road to social work & human service practice. South Melbourne: Cengage Learning, Dockery AM (2011). Traditional culture and the wellbeing of Indigenous Australians: an analysis of the 2008 NATSISS. Centre for Labour Market Research Discussion Paper Series 2011/01. Perth: Curtin Business School, Curtin University Dudgeon, P., Wright, M., Paradies, Y., Garney, D., & Walker, I. (2010). Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practice. Contemporary Nurse, 48, 1. Gallaher, G., Ziersch, A. M., Baum, F. E., Bentley, M. W., Palmer, C., Edmondson, W., & Winslow, L. (2009). In our own backyard: urban health inequities and Aboriginal experiences of neighbourhood life, social capital and racism. South Australian Community Health Research Unit. Hallett D, Chandler MJ & Lalonde CE (2007). Aboriginal language knowledge and youth suicide. Cognitive Development 22(3):392–9. Parker, R., & Milroy, H. (2010). Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health: an overview. Working together: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander mental health and wellbeing principles and practices, 3-12. VicHealth (2012). Mental health impacts of racial discrimination in Victorian Aboriginal communities: Experiences of racism survey. Viewed 12 December 012,http://www.vichealth.vic.gov.au/~/media/ResourceCentre/PublicationsandResources/Discrimination/Mental%20health%20impacts_racial%20discrim_Indigenous.ashx Westerman, T. (2010). Engaging Australian Aboriginal youth in mental health services. Australian Psychologist 45(3):212–22. Wexler, L.(2009). The importance of identity, history and culture in the wellbeing of Indigenous youth. . Journal of the History of Childhood and Youth. 2(2):267–76. Zubrick SR, Silburn SR, Lawrence DM, Mitrou FG, Dalby RB, Blair EM et al. (2005). The Western Australian Aboriginal Child Health Survey. Volume 2: the social and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal children and young people. 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As a social worker I commit to ending discrimination of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. I recognise that: The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People were the first Australians, and the land we now occupy was originally theirs. I strive to respect their unique values and help them continue their rich culture which enriches and deepens our communities. The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People have experienced socioeconomic disadvantage historically and in the present day and I have the role of ending and remedying this great disadvantage.

The Aboriginal and Torres Islander People make immense contribution to Australian society and they have abilities, strengths and competencies that are crucial to improving their wellbeing. Social work should be culturally sensitive, responsive and safe to ensure that the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People do not experience further discrimination. Principles of working with the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People To undo the privilege and discrimination that has seen Aboriginal and Torres Islander People score poorly on social and health wellbeing, I have developed a number of principles to be used by social workers practicing among indigenous communities.

Principle of Values and Ethics Social workers come up against many ethical dilemmas, issues and problems. As a social worker I have several personal values that guide me through ethical dilemmas. Social workers demonstrate that the values of social work are integral to their practice, they uphold their ethical responsibilities and they act appropriately when faced with ethical problems, issues and dilemmas (Australian Association of Social Workers; AASW, 2013). Some of the values that guide me while practicing among indigenous people include: Social Justice and respect for human rights: I recognize the need for society that is just and recognizes the unalienable human rights of each member of society regardless of whether he/she is indigenous or non-indigenous.

Discrimination Intolerance: I do not tolerate discrimination of any kind in my work and seek to empower those who are disadvantaged to reduce their vulnerability to discrimination (Chenoweth and McAuliffe, 2012). Intolerance of Unjust systems: I seek to identify and dismantle structures and social system that preserve injustices and inequalities (AASW, 2013). Challenge Injustices: I commit to apply policies and practices that are non-discriminatory and meet international standards of social inclusion, human rights and social development.

Ethical responsibilities: I recognise that I have a number of ethical responsibilities to the community I am working with, to the social work profession and to society in general. In my social work practice among the Aboriginal and Torres Islander People, I have strived to apply the values and ethics of social work set out above by (AASW, 2013): Identifying and critically analysing ethical dilemmas experienced in the field with the value and ethics outlined above. Discussing ethical dilemmas with all relevant parties and attempting to reach a just conclusion.

Consulting with the supervisor on the best way of solving ethical dilemmas that I face in my work. Seeking guidance from my supervisor whenever other people are in a position to contravene the ethical guidelines set out in the AASW code. Critically reflecting on my own professional and personal ethics and values and how they apply to my social work practice. Principle of Professionalism As a social worker, I commit to actively promote and support the social work profession. According to AASW (2013), social workers must be accountable and always act with professionalism and integrity to be the best ambassadors of the profession.

During my field work among the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People I represented my profession well by (AASW, 2013): Practicing social work activities and contributing to enhancement of social work knowledge base. During my practice I conducted research, evaluated the impact of my classroom knowledge when applied to an actual social work situation, consulted other social work practitioners and presented my finding to the University.

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