Introduction:
This paper is intended to touch on different elements of social work, including interpersonal and professional values, ethical issues, as well as the scope of practice. This will include three case studies that will demonstrate the concepts in play and reveal the results after my reflections.
Feelings and Attitudes:
In studying the case studies, I felt all of the emotional sensations, such as empathy, concern, and responsibility. My rule was one of anxiety at the first sight of Jack, given his drug addiction and because he was living on the street. I felt a rush of necessity to offer him support and take into account the fact that the overdose might happen. Comparably, with both Joanne and Sally, there was a powerful feeling of empathy for their situations and an urge to help them get the necessary resources to overcome their challenges. Having all three clients at the same time, it was a mixture of worry and frustration as their situations are examples of how complicated the work of social work practice is and how difficult it is to help people who are in difficult life circumstances (Kourgiantakis et al., 2020).
Personal Values and Beliefs:
While reading through the case study, I felt not only empathy, concern, and responsibility but also all kinds of emotions. A current of adrenaline ran rippling through my veins, telling me to offer him support, considering that this was the first time for him to use the drug with the possibility of overdose. Likewise, Joanne and Sally being the Joannes and the Sallys made me connect with them and gave me a deep desire to give them the keys to snapping out of the challenges they were facing. All three clients were at the same time when it was a mixture of worry and frustration: the two situations are examples of how complicated social work is and how difficult it is to help people in life circumstances.
Professional Practice Values and Documents:
The values and documents from professional practice relating to my desired profession (social service worker) offer a guideline for ethics and effectiveness. The seven constants of professional practice are respect for the inherent dignity and worth of every human being, integrity, competence, service, social justice, and the focus on human interactions. The social service workers’ professional practice document articulates ethical conduct and practice standards that guide our work. These documents underscore the client-centered approach, observing the professional boundaries and effectuation of confidentiality and informed consent. It also emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and reflecting upon one’s practice.
Conflicts Between Personal and Professional Values:
In the case of Jack, my values could conflict with the professional practice value of self-determination. I stand for respecting clients’ autonomy and supporting them during the process of making autonomous choices about their lives when I work as a Social Service Worker (Golightly et al., 2020). On the other hand, my view of the significance of help and advice to people in difficult conditions can be a stumbling block for Jack in his desire to do his own thing. In this case, there must be a balance between the principles of self-determination and confidentiality and the duty to ensure Jack’s safety and well-being.
Scope of Practice:
The job responsibilities of Social Service Workers go beyond providing support for the clients by conducting assessments, developing care plans, and coordinating and collaborating with other professionals and community resources. For Jack, my interventions would focus on supplying him with information and backing about his substance abuse problem, referring him to appropriate medical and social services, and speaking for his needs among the shelter and the wider community.
Ethical Dilemmas and Steps for Resolution:
If I am put in an ethical situation in my everyday life, I will follow a systematic approach to resolve the challenge. This ethical dilemma must be identified first, and the process of ethical decision-making must be considered in terms of the ethical principles and the code of conduct in practice (Strang et al., 2020). Consult colleagues, supervisors, and others to get multiple views and ideas. I am taking into account the possible repercussions that arise from the probable adoption of alternative lines of action and the relative degree of risks and rewards. An option to make a decision that is made by using the most current and accurate information and in compliance with the ethical criteria. I am retrospecting and pondering the implications of the decision on the client and the majority of the populace in the community and making adjustments where necessary.
Conclusion:
In this essay, I have presented a reflexive discussion of 3 case studies in social work practice, including the discussion of personal and professional values, ethical deliberations, and scope of practice. Using the guidance of self-awareness, reflective practice, and ethical decision-making, social workers are able to support and advocate for clients in diverse and challenging situations. This process of self-reflection plays an important role in sustaining the professional integrity of the practitioner and in ensuring that the rights and needs of the clients are heeded. Social workers can improve their practice by continuing to engage in the process of reflection and involvement with professional practice standards and values. The professionals can build a good quality relationship with their clients.
References
Strang, J., Volkow, N. D., Degenhardt, L., Hickman, M., Johnson, K., Koob, G. F., … & Walsh, S. L. (2020). Opioid use disorder. Nature reviews Disease primers, 6(1), 3.
Golightly, M., & Goemans, R. (2020). Social work and mental health. Sage.
Kourgiantakis, T., Hussain, A., Ashcroft, R., Logan, J., McNeil, S., & Williams, C. C. (2020). Protocol: Recovery-oriented social work practice in mental health and addictions: a scoping review protocol. BMJ Open, 10(8).
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