social and human services as a profession
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SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES AS A PROFESSION. \ DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEMESTER 1 2012. INTRODUCTION. Most SW are employed by an organization and therefore practice within the context of an organizational structure. FOUR process then characterize generalist practice. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
SOCIAL AND HUMAN SERVICES AS A PROFESSION
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DR ROJANAH KAHARSEMESTER 1 2012
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
INTRODUCTION• Most SW are employed by an
organization and therefore practice within the context of an organizational structure.
• FOUR process then characterize generalist practice.
• 1. GP requires the assumption of a wide range of professional roles.
• 2. Requires the application of critical thinking skill throughout the course of intervention.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
• 3. GP incorporates research-informed practice to determine the most effective ways to help people and serve clients.
• 4. Practitioners follow a Seven-Step Planned Change process to achieve intervention goals.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Current Issues…
• Lack of understanding Social WorkWelfare WorkCharity WorkVoluntary Work
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Issues…• Recruitment of Non-social Work graduates• Less than 10% are SW trained• Social work practitioners:
Government : Dept of Social Welfare, hospital, prison etc
NGO’s Individual
• Untrained social work supervisor (lack of knowledge and skills in social work supervision)
• Lack of professional supervision• Time constraints/heavy workload
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Complexity of background• Social Sciences• Psychology• Sociology• Anthropology• Human Development• Economics• Political Sciences
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Settings.
• Governments : Dept of Social Welfare , Hospitals
• NGOS’s
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Social Worker as Profession• Social worker, Generalist social worker ,
generalist practitioner used interchangeably.
• Generalist social work may involve almost any helping situation.
• Help homeless family, a child unable to get along with peers, a pregnant teenager, a sick older adult unable to care for herself any longer, alcoholic parent.
• Therefore GP needs competence in a wide variety of areas instead of being limited to a single track.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Definition of Generalist Practice• GP is the application of an eclectic
knowledge base, professional values and a wide range of skills to target individual, family, group, organizational or community systems for change within the context of 5 primary processes.
1. Client empowerment.2. Working Effectively within an organizational structure
& doing so under supervision.3. Requires the assumption of a wide range of
professional roles4. It concerns following the principles of evidence-based
practice.5. Involves the application of critical thinking skills to
the planned change process.DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Q: An eclectic knowledge base ?• Systems Theory• Ecological Perspectives• Curriculum Content Areas
Values & Ethics Diversity Populations at risk and social and economic
justice Human behaviour and the social environment Social welfare policy and services Social work practice Research Field Education
• Fields of practice
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
What is ECLECTIC?
• The term eclectic refers to selecting concepts, theories and ideas from a wide range of perspectives and practice approaches.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Using Professional values?
1. Code of Ethics. Eg: NASW, Malaysia?2. Recognition and management of
personal values3. Application of professional values
and strategies of ethical reasoning to make ethical decisions and solve ethical dilemmas.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Wide range of skills:• Micro• Meso• Macro
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Targeting systems
• Individu• Family• Group• Organizations• Community
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Evidence Based Practice (EVP)• EVP is a process in which
practitioners make practice decisions in light of the best research evidence available.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Using a Planned-Change Process• Engagement• Assessment• Planning• Implementation• Evaluation• Termination• Follow-up
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
ROLE OF SW/GP/SHS WORKER
TO ASSIST CLIENTSWith external or internal problems
(Okun, 1992)To reach goals that are important
to them (Bawner, 1977)To provide a link between the
traditional professional and the client (Epstein, 1981)
All of the above
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
WHO ARE SHS WORKER? EFFECTIVE HELPER: people
who are together – thoughts, feelings and actions are congruent.– They believed that each client
is unique individual different from all other clients so, greet each one of them by name, with a hand shake and a smile (Hutchins & Cole, 1992)
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
WHY HUMAN SERVICE WORKER? Individual needs Their aptitudes and interest Their self concepts Special personal or social
experience (Kantor, 1960)
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
THE DESIRE TO HELP OTHERS• To feel worthwhile as a result of
contribution to another’s growth is exciting– Helpers must also ask themselves:
‘To what extend am I meeting my own needs?’
THE DESIRE FOR SELF EXPLORATION– The wish to find out more about
themselves as thinking and feeling individuals leads some people to major in psychology, sociology or human services• Must be fulfilled outside the worker-client relationshipDR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
THE DESIRE TO EXERT CONTROL– Administrative or managerial position
in helping professions are the goal.– This desire may become a problem if
helpers seek to control or dominate clients, with the intention of making them dependent.
THE EXPERIENCE OF BEING HELPED– This provides a strong demonstration
of the value of helping.– Wish to be like those who helped them
when they were clients
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
INDIVIDUAL WHOSE LIFE EXPERIENCE MOST CLOSELY MATCH THOSE OF THE PERSON TO BE HELPED– The recovering alcoholic working with
substance abuser (Lyon & Duke, 1981)
– Especially true in teaching and medical field
– May create unrealistic expectation.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
VALUE WHERE DO OUR VALUES COME
FROM?CultureExperience
WHAT ARE VALUES?Value are statement of what is
desirable: they way we would like the world to be
Not statement of fact
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
VALUES IN SHS ACCEPTANCE• The ability of the worker to be
receptive to the client may have done.
• Must be able to maintain an attitude of good will toward clients, not judging them by factors such as the way they live or their personalities.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
TOLERENCE The helpers ability to be patient
and fair towards each client rather than judging, blaming or punishing the client for prior behaviour
A helper who embodies this values will work with the client to plan for the future, rather than continually focusing on the client’s past mistake.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
INDIVIDUALITY
Is expressed in the qualities of characteristics that make each person us unique and distinctive from other person
The different, lifestyle, assets, problems, previous life experiences and feelings
Must recognize and treat each person individuality not stereotypically.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
SELF DETERMINATION Deciding for oneself on a course of
action or the resolution to a problem The clients make up their own minds
regarding a decision to be made or an action to be taken
The helper facilitates this action by assisting clients to investigate alternatives and the decisions is theirs
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
CONFIDENTIALITY
Assurance to clients that the helpers not discuss their cases with other people.
The exception to this is sharing of information with supervisors or in staff meetings where client’s best interests are being served.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
NASW ETHICAL PRINCIPLES1. CORE VALUE: Service ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: to help people in
need and to address social problems.
2. CORE VALUE: Social Injustice ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: challenge social
injustice.
3. CORE VALUE: Dignity and worth of all person.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
4. CORE VALUE: Importance of human relationship.
ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: recognize the central importance of human relationship.
5. CORE VALUE: Integrity ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: behaves in
trustworthy manner.
6. CORE VALUE: Competence ETHICAL PRINCIPLE: practice within their
areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
CHARACTERISTICS FOR ENTRY LEVEL PRACTICE
SELF AWARENESS Must know who they are and this will
affects what they do A life long process of learning about
oneself Helps them in understanding and
changing the attitudes and feelings
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
ABILITY TO COMMUNICATE Helpers effectiveness depends also on
their ability to communicate to the client and understanding of the client’s feeling and behaviors.
Listening, a critical helping skill Enables the helper to respond with
thoughts and feelings to clients whole message.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
EMPATHY Is acceptance of another person Allows the helper to see a situation
or experience a feeling from the clients perspective
Easier for helpers who have had experience similar to those of their clients.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
RESPONSIBILITY/COMMITTMENT
Feeling a responsibility or commitment to improve the well being of others
Includes attending to needs of clients first
Committed to delivering high quality services
Act to the best of their ability: Follow code of ethics
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
ETHICAL STANDARD FOR HUMAN SERVICE WORKER
Treat clients with dignity and respect.
Help every client to the best of your ability.
Respect the client’s privacy. Maintain confidential relationship. Engage only in activities in which
you are competent.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
• Maintain a professional helping relationship.
• Continue to upgrade your skills.• Protect your community against the
unethical practices of others.• Respect your colleagues and relate to them
in a professional manner.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
VALUE CONTEXT OF SHS Determine by many systems – socio-
cultural milieu (society), agency settings, clients and social workers.
• Systems intertwine – interact creates a unique hierarchy of competing values and conflicting loyalties
Examples:1. ‘Value’ influence how clients and
practitioners define the issues or problems
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
2. Approaches to resolving social problems – reflecting opposing community and professional priorities.
3. Appropriateness of intervention methods prescribe by agency conflict with the practitioners professional opinions.
4. Family disagreement about the right solution place practitioners in a position when balancing issues of self-determination.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
VALUE CONTEXT OF SHSSocio-political-cultural context
Agency context
Client system
SHS worker
Problem
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
ETHICAL DILEMMAConfidential and privacy. Limited, duty to warn, need
guidance.
Self determination and paternalism. SHS respect and promote the
client’s right for self determination. Assist clients in their efforts to
identify and clarify their goals.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
RESPONSIBILITY/COMMITTMENT
Boundary issues. Need to maintain clear boundaries in
the relationship with clients Boundary violations can be
damaging to clients (dual or multiple relationships)
Occurs when SHS worker related to clients in more than one way, whether sexual, social, professional or business (inappropriate or unethnical)
SHS worker take advantage of their clients to further their own interests.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
CONTINUEDivided loyalties and conflict of
interest. Some boundary issues involve
situations where SHS worker feel caught between their obligation to their clients and some other party
SHS worker unsure to whom they owe their primary duty
SHS worker need to choose between their client’s interest and those of some other party
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Professionalism and personal values. Conflict between SHS values and owns.
SHS values and clients’ value. Must carefully examine the nature of
their own values and the potential impact of those values on the way they serve clients.
Stereotypes, prejudice, biases.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012
Whistle blowing. Occasionally encounter wrong doing by
colleagues Colleagues may be involve in unethical or
illegal conduct Professional colleagues often feel loyal to
one another and reluctant to ‘blow the whistle’
Obligation to the profession and public make them difficult to stand quietly on the sidelines when they have reason to believe that a colleagues misconduct is causing harm to clients and other parties.
DR ROJANAH KAHAR SEM 1 2012