Social Work Methods. The essay will also depict the underlying theory that underpins taskcentred practice in relation to social work.

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SO2009 Social Work Methods

Student I.D. 0719720

The purpose for this assignment is to highlight the main features of one social worker method and attempt to compare against another social work method. Within this essay, I will include social work intervention prior to the introduction of task-centred practice. This will provide an insight in to why task-centred methods were introduced. I will also describe the strengths and weaknesses of task-centred practice. The essay will also depict the underlying theory that underpins task-centred practice in relation to social work. I will critically analyse the effectiveness of this approach. I will then compliment this approach with solution focused practice and provide an analysis of the similarities between them. Throughout this assignment I will incorporate anti-discriminative and anti-oppressive practice (ADP, AOP) not only within the model of task-centred but with an overall view to social work practice and how oppression can be addressed. I will strive to provide a brief policy context of AOP and ADP.

I have decided to relate ‘Task centred practice’ to a case I was attached to whilst I was a social work assistant, working within Sandwell Looked after Children’s Team. To adhere with confidentiality all names have been changed in accordance to data protection. The local authority had obtained a ‘Interim Care Order’ in accordance with the 1989 Children’s Act in regards to a twelve year old male, whom I will call Jack, he was subsequently removed from the care of his mother, whom I refer to as Alison and placed in residential care home. Jacks behaviour was becoming unmanageable for Alison, professionals such as teachers and health workers felt that there was low level safeguarding issues and Jack was displaying signs of ‘Attention Deficit Hyper Activity Disorder’. The local authority had to consider exploring the attachment Jack had formed with his mother Alison, as evidence indicates this can have both emotional and developmental consequences on children. The plan was to carry out a parenting assessment with Jacks mother, whom I will call Alison to ascertain if care proceedings were necessary or whether reunification was possible. I was allocated to carry out the assessment on Alison and support Jack whilst in residential care.  

Social work (SW) is a professional activity wherein practitioners engage in their craft to contribute to policy and practice with a view to reducing inequalities in society and ameliorating the local and personal effects of these on individuals and communities. Theories in SW essentially form practice. In social sciences theoretical knowledge is contested because different theories offer competing definitions of reality reflecting particular values and ideologies. Hence theories “…have interest groups within social work seeking to influence over our understanding of nature and practice of social work seeking to theory” (Payne, 1997, p2). In fact according to Berger and Luckmann (1966) even our understanding of reality is social constructed. Therefore there is no single, objective reality, but competing realities derived from different forms of knowledge and experiences. Essentially methods translate theories into practice, it is therefore imperative that we develop a critical understanding of social methods and the theories that underpin them so that we continuously cultivate good working practice.

 

Theory within social work is interpreted as complicated subject; Coulshed and Orme argue that there is ambivalence between theory and practice within social work, describing it as ‘anti-theoretical’ stance. Howe (2009) stresses this to an extreme by asking “why do so many psychological sciences theories clash, disagree, argue and dismiss one another” (Howe, 2009, p3). I believe that the fundamental aim is give social workers the tools and a level of understanding to try and empower service users to reach their full potential, whilst balancing all aspects of safeguarding and working in accordance to the General Social Care Codes of Practice. At this stage we cannot dismiss the vast changes in legislation and policies that has shaped social work such as ‘Modernising Social Services’  (DoH 1998), ‘Realising our Potential’ (1993), ‘Valuing People’ (2001) unfortunately the word count is this assignment does not allow to expand further, therefore I will focus on one key policy change.

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 A turning point in regards to policy change led from the unfortunate death of Victoria Climbie. Victoria died from no less than 128 injuries she had received at the hands of her carers in February 2000. The subsequent investigation into her death conducted by Lord Lamming laid the foundations for the ‘Every Child Matters’ Green paper published in 2003. The Governments response to the Lamming Enquiry was almost immediate with the production of the Green Paper ‘Every Child Matters’ which focused on four keys themes. These included supporting families where need is identified and early intervention in relation to ...

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