Social Work Values. Values and ethics have been of fundamental importance throughout the development of the social work profession.
“Values are central to being human: nothing we do is unconnected with values. If we want to understand, and be able to work with people, then we need to have an understanding of the complexities of values in people’s lives. Any attempt to understand people that does not consider the values dimension is doomed to failure as values are so central to everything we do, both as individuals and professional social workers.” Adapted from: Moss, B. & Thompson, N. (2008) Meaning and Values: developing empowering practice. Russell House Publishing The above statement is essentially saying that an individual’s set of values play an imperative part in every decision, action or behaviour in their everyday lives. A person’s value system can be made up of personal, ethical, cultural or political vales. Along with their own personal values, social workers must also adhere to a strict set of professional values outlined by the General Social Care Council’s (GSCC) codes of conduct. It can be difficult for a practitioner to find a balance between these often conflicting and opposing value systems. Values and ethics have been of fundamental importance throughout the development of the social work profession. Founded in 1869, the Charity Organisation Society is often identified as the roots of modern social work. (Smith, 2002) It was set up in response to the belief that
Issues relating to adults with a physical disability. This assignment aims to explore physical disability, specifically focusing on issues relating to adults with spinal cord injury.
Introduction This assignment aims to explore physical disability, specifically focusing on issues relating to adults with spinal cord injury. Spinal cord injury is any injury to the vertebrae causing damage to the nerve tracts resulting in variable degrees of paralysis. It is more prevalent amongst males aged between 15 and 30 years and is a major cause of serious disability (Royle and Walsh, 1992). I will divide the assignment into the following sections; - medical and social model approaches - core professional skills - empowerment and advocacy It is important to define impairment and disability from a social model perspective because this will be the meaning I will adopt for this assignment. According to the Physically Impaired Against Segregation (UPIAS) (1976); impairment means to lack all or a part of a limb or having a defective organ, limb or mechanism of the body. Disability is defined as the restriction of activity or disadvantage caused by physical and social barriers resulting in societal discrimination and oppression. In 2003, 6.9 million or nearly one in five people in the UK were registered disabled (Shaw, 2006). Worryingly, Nelson and Shardlow (2005) reported that disabled people are more likely to experience abuse then the rest of the population. These facts demonstrate the paramountcy of the social worker's role providing support, assistance and
Examine an area of oppression and discuss how this manifests itself in institutions and societies and how it impacts upon the lives of individuals and communities.
Examine an area of oppression and discuss how this manifests itself in institutions and societies and how it impacts upon the lives of individuals and communities. This essay will examine disability as an area of oppression in society. When answering this question it would be useful, first of all to put forward a definition for the term disability. The Disability Discrimination Act (1995) describes disability as 'a physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on his or her ability to carry out normal day to day activities'. In Northern Ireland there are an estimated 201,000 Disabled Adults (Working with Diversity). Despite this high number, people with disabilities are treated as a separate homogenous group to the rest of society. I will examine how this oppression has manifested itself through institutions by drawing on the medical and the social model of disability. The medical model of disability is seen as being a discriminatory perspective that perceives disability as a personal tragedy. In contrast, Thompson (2006) regards the social model of disability as being an anti-discriminatory perspective that requires a change in how we view disability. Thompson (2006) refers to disablism as 'the systematic discrimination and prejudice against people with disabilities which produces a milieu of oppression and degradation' (p.122). Lack of
Inter-professional Practice and Safeguarding Children
20042188 CYCC52 Inter-professional Practice and Safeguarding Children CYCC52 Inter-professional Practice and Safeguarding Children Different professional groups may each have their own priorities when it comes to safeguarding children. Giving examples of these, discuss whether it is possible for professionals to work together with the interests of the child to the fore. Essay: 60% of module mark, 2500 words, learning outcomes 1 & 3. First and foremost during this essay I will examine what inter-professional practice is and where it has come from. Furthermore I will analyse the different ways in which the agencies that I work alongside work together to help safeguard children and young people. I will discuss the priorities that they may have using examples which I have been involved in within my setting. I will then discuss whether it is possible to work solely child centred when it comes to safeguarding and analyse the difficulties we may come across while attempting this, mainly focussing on budget restraints and how they affect the young people we provide a service for. I will briefly divulge into the tragedies of both Victoria Climbie and ‘Baby P’ discussing why inter-professional practice was not successful. And finally I will discuss ways in which I believe inter professional practice could be improved across the board by introducing reviewing
This assignment will focus on the characteristics of the social and medical model of mental illness. The assignment will demonstrate professional judgement, accountability of a social worker and statutory requirements of protection and intervention for a
Assessment 2. Using the directed reading and other appropriate literature and research, compare and contrast the medical and social model of mental health and mental disorder. Critically evaluate how the identified reading and other literature can inform a social work practitioner's understanding and practice. This assignment will focus on the characteristics of the social and medical model of mental illness. This assignment will demonstrate an understanding of how adults and cares experience mental health and social problems. The assignment will demonstrate professional judgement, accountability of a social worker and statutory requirements of protection and intervention for a social worker working with people who are suffering from a mental illness. According to Golightley (2004) there are several theories about mental disorder but the two main theories are the medical and non-medical models. The medical model or disease model has been the dominant model of mental disorder from around 150 years ago when the state employed the medical profession to manage and treat mental disorder (Golightley 2004). The medical model views mental disorder as a physical illness, which can be medically treated in a medical institution (Beech 1991). Beresford (2002) pointed out that 'this approach is based on a deficit model that presumes health problems primarily arise from within the
Compare and contrast the pluralist and elitist accounts of political power.
Compare and contrast the pluralist and elitist accounts of political power. Introduction Whilst there are not infinite interpretations of political systems, there are differing accounts of systems theory. Each separate account of a theory can have varying threads such as classical, reformed, neo or radical interpretations. Within these definitions there may be variance over the role of the government or the prominence of power, yet there is confluence on one basic concept. In this essay I shall try to attempt to explain the theories, major ideas and pre-eminent writers in both pluralist and elitist political power. Following on from this I shall attempt to find any similarities and any differences in both pluralism and elitism. In my conclusion I shall attempt to draw on which theory is most relevant in the contemporary political world. Exposition of Pluralism H.S. Kariel is cited in Schwarzmantel's work referring to pluralism as: 'specific institutional arrangements for distributing and sharing governmental power.'1 Therefore pluralism is the dispersion of power to prevent tyranny. If power is concentrated to one group, there will be autocratic rule. By diffusing power, a state will be open to the demands of the population and this is essential to the supposition. This does assume social pluralism; that is a wide variety of interest groups. Social variety, such as
Images of inequality - What evidence is there that older people are socially excluded?
A recent news article by Nicholas Timmins (2008) entitled 'Labour's drive to reduce poverty has stalled, according to study' highlighted the failure of Government policy to reduce poverty and exclusion for the elderly. Statistics show that for the first time ever there will be more pensioners in the UK than under 16's (ONS, 2008), but what are the implications of this for Britain's care system, does this mean more socially excluded pensioners, and is age a cause of social exclusion on its own? This essay will argue that age itself is not a cause of social exclusion, but contributing factors such as poor health, social back ground and poor services will increase the risk of being socially excluded. Although some older people may be excluded, one cannot say all older people are. The essay will also investigate the social position of older people in British society, how they have come to occupy this position and also the varying views of old age. The increase in older people in the future will have important implications for social care. According to Wilson et al (2008, p.616), what has been termed a 'demographic time bomb' will constitute a major problem for the provision of services, with the problem being "how to produce services that respond better to the needs of older people while being affordable at the same time." The balance between those of working age and the
In this essay I will define client empowerment in planning care as it is applied to adults, especially adults at risk of neglect and abuse, and explore how care management policy aims to empower clients. There is a dilemma in Mr Bankss case which appl
Planning Care for Adults Balancing risk management, and client empowerment in planning care In this essay I will define client empowerment in planning care as it is applied to adults, especially adults at risk of neglect and abuse, and explore how care management policy aims to empower clients. I will then look at the notion of risk management, and explore what risks are associated with care and support for older people, using the example of Mr Banks as my case study. I will evaluate how risk can be minimised, managed and monitored, including risks to the health and welfare of informal carers. Care planning is a way of agreeing, arranging and managing the services or help needed to enable a person to live at home or to move into a residential or nursing home. It is the process of developing an agreement between the client and the social worker, where client problems, outcomes to be achieved and actions to be pursued in support of a goal achievement are identified. It involves noting both formal and informal services and intended results in a written document. In the assessment stage of care planning, each service user receives an assessment of their care needs and must meet appropriate criteria for the services to be provided. When a service or services have been arranged, a care plan will be written and a copy given to the user. This will contain details of what services
Outline some of the main differences between quantitative and qualitative Research methods. (1000 words)
EMMA SMITH SOCIOLOGY - SOCS 101 - SEMESTER A SEMINAR GROUP C- Thursday 2-3pm 2A) Outline some of the main differences between quantitative and qualitative Research methods. (1000 words) The discipline of sociology dates back to the end of the 18th century, and for many, it seems a difficult term to accurately define. It covers a wide range of topics such as poverty and gender to race and relationships, and its focus is on understanding the modernised, and industrialised world, which has developed throughout this time. Sociology enables us to take a step back and look at things which are familiar to us in a new way. Methodology and theories give us the ability to see things from a new perspective. The term 'methodology' defines the theory and analysis of how research should proceed. Any good research should have a basis in science, and the factor that distinguishes sociological arguments from common sense is systematic knowledge, which is developed through rigorous research processes. In doing research, people are trying to produce knowledge that is accurate; a description of some aspect of the world that is as close as possible to how it actually is. They also try to make sure that this knowledge is objective and value-free, meaning that the information must be gathered in a way that limits the chances of the researcher influencing or distorting the
Youth Work Essay - we shall look at the history and development of youth work
Youth Work Essay Patricia Farrell December 2012 “The concept of youth work has evolved both nationally and internationally. It has grown from the historical notion of young people coming together in association for the purpose of social activity, to the current notion of young people being prepared to have the necessary skills to act towards an objective of social transformation.” With regard to the above statement, we shall look at the history and development of youth work in order to determine the accuracy of the statement. As a guide to my personal conclusion on the matter, I shall also discuss some key theoretical studies of youth work. These include the personal development model and the Social Education Model, selected for their relevance in Irish policy progression, as we shall look at later. First it is important to clarify what is meant by the term ‘youth work’, and to whom it is applicable. The concept of youth work is one which has developed and evolved significantly over the past century. An ever industrialising society brought about the first forms of youth work, in a casual sense, focusing on young people’s social lives. However, since then, it has earned a more significant and formal role in our society. As a result, youth work has been structured through legislation, and more clearly defined. Ireland saw the introduction of the Youth Work Act
