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Social Work Essay Examples

Integrity in social work, global health: social work admission, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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Theories of Human Development and Their Application to Social Work Practice

The positive effects of change in social work, social work: career goals and mission, the importance of social work for society, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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Bringing The Meaning in Life: Why I Want to Be a Social Worker

Ethical dilemmas in social work: solution to address the situation, the importance for a social worker to properly assess child development, analysis of the concept of "social work", get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

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Career Profile Research Assignment: a Career of Social Worker

Applications of statistics in social work research, reflection on my placement in ingle farm primary school, the lessons i've learned as a social worker with an occupational therapist and nurses, a study on the social impact of jane addams, life and legacy of jane addams, documentation of previous learning experience: social worker, analysis of the dead goldfinch by george elgar hicks in relation to social work, jane addams and her contributions to social work, a study on jane addams’ philanthropic nature, how technology assisted social work aids various social work roles, systemic problems in the social services on the example of kyla and david, the sssc codes of practice for social workers, meeting with a social worker: a radical change of life, empowerment theory in social work, social work field education: self-assessment, social functioning in social work, social work application, my intrinsic motivation - that's why i want to be a social worker, social work internship experience: a reflection.

Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being.

Females account for around 83% of all social workers. Healthcare social workers and family, child, and school social workers are the highest paying social work jobs. Social workers helped decrease the number of juvenile arrests by 68% between 1996 and 2015. Social workers provide over 60% of mental health services.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Addams, Alfred Neumann, Frances Feldman, Ida B. Wells, Harriett Rinaldo, etc.

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Social Work Essays (Examples)

1000+ documents containing “social work” .

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Do you have any tips for outlining an essay specifically on the subject of child observation.

Tips for Outlining an Essay on Child Observation I. Introduction Begin with a compelling hook, such as a vivid anecdote or thought-provoking statistic. Briefly state the thesis statement, outlining the main argument or claim you will make about child observation. Provide a brief overview of the essay's structure and main points. II. Body Paragraph 1: Importance and Benefits of Child Observation Discuss the significance of child observation in understanding child development and behavior. Highlight the benefits of observing children firsthand, such as gaining insights into their cognitive, social, and emotional development. Support your claims with research and examples from your own observations. III.....

I\'m up for a challenge! Do you have any complex or thought-provoking essay topics on sexula violence?

1. The role of power dynamics in sexual violence: How do issues of power and control contribute to acts of sexual violence? 2. The intersectionality of sexual violence: How do factors such as race, gender, sexuality, and socioeconomic status intersect to shape experiences of sexual violence? 3. The impact of rape culture on attitudes towards sexual violence: How does the normalization of sexual violence in society contribute to victim blaming and perpetuate rape culture? 4. Addressing the stigma and shame surrounding sexual violence: How can we work to destigmatize survivors' experiences and create a supportive and understanding environment for them to come forward? 5.....

Social Work Framework a Framework to Social

Social Work Framework A framework to social work practice is based on a set of beliefs and assumptions about how, when, and under what conditions people and systems change and what a social worker can do to facilitate desired and needed change, such as speaking out and raising awareness of child abuse, how to report it, and how to get help. There are always underlying issues to human suffering, such as abuse, neglect, addictions, poverty and inequality between social classes, inadequate social policy, health, and unresolved family and cultural conflict. Inequality in resources and diversification also plays a part in discrimination between races, gender, ethnicity, age, and abled/or disabled. Social work is designed to bring value to a client's life in the respect of teaching how to identify the causes of the problems and address solutions to those problems to enable the client to live a more fulfilled life style. Part of….

Social Justice Social Work Value Social Justice- for

Social Justice Social Work Value/Social Justice- For centuries, philosophers have puzzled the human condition. Since humans have lived together there have been queries about how and why humans acts the way they do, not just individually, but how they form partnerships, groups and are able to cooperate enough for survival and the future possibilities for society. In particular. As technology continues to increase, so do the complexities of societal integration, and even more questions about the nature of humanity. Together, all these models form a generalization about what it means to be human and how that humanity faces challenges within the more negative aspects of human behavior. This is exemplified, for instance, in the works of the everend Martin Luther King, Jr., who noted: "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one….

Barry, B. (2005). Why Social Justice Matters. Malden, MA: Polity Press.

Columbus Girls Academy. (2013). Teen Challenge for Girls in Chardon, OH. Retrieved from:  http://christianschoolforgirls.com/teen-challenge-for-girls-in-chardon-ohio/ 

CRC Health Group. (2011). Prescription Drug Abuse and Addiction. Retrieved from:  http://www.crchealth.com/addiction/prescription-drug-addictions-2/ 

Dudziak, S. (2005) Educating for Justice. In Fergusan, I. et al., eds. Globalization, Global Justice and Social Work. New York: Routledge, pp. 139-5.

Social Work Field Perception of Social Work

Social Work Field Perception of Social Work Social work is a challenging profession that also helps one make a difference in the lives of others (CUW 2011). It aims at improving the overall functioning and well-being of people served. A social worker must have a genuine and special concern for the poor, marginalized, and the vulnerable. Social work is an art and a science at the same time. It fits service to the needs of the person or persons served. Social workers practice their profession almost everywhere. They are found in hospitals, schools, churches, courts, community agencies, child and family service centers, mental health centers and other settings. They function as school social workers, mental health counselors, community planners, administrators, child protective service workers and advocates of various causes (CUW). Social work is a unique profession, which possesses unique features (CUW 2011). It is founded on liberal arts. It builds on its own….

BIBLIOGRAPHY

CUW. What is Social Work? Concordia University Wisconsin, 2011. Retrieved on December 16, 2011 from  http://www.cuw.edu/Programs/socialwork/whatisSocialwork , html

Humphrey, Anne. What is Ethical Dilemma in Social Work Practice. eHow: eHow.com.

Retrieved on December 16, 2011 from http://www.ehow.com/facts_5650699_ethical-dilemma-social-work-practice_html

Smith, Elizabeth. Types of Social Work Experience. eHow: Demand Media, Inc.

Social Work Informatics USES Merits

The creation of timely and well-designed outputs leads to further information recording, correcting and completing previous recordings. This builds into a "virtuous circle (Gatehouse et al.)." Social workers rendering children's services should analyze their own work, compare it with others and contribute their data for evaluation (Gatehouse et al., 2004). They need output tools in order to do this. The critical outputs for improving child protection services are, in most cases, the outputs required from day-to-day operations, administration and management at the case, team and service levels. These outputs include built-in System alerts, notifications and exception reports. System alerts provide advanced warnings of required actions and service delivery mistakes or failures. Notifications are made to improvement communication between teams, departments and agencies. And exception reports identify, note or follow up cases of individual children whose needs have not been met. Findings of this study suggest that electronic information systems, such….

Gatehouse, M. et al. (2004). Information outputs for children's social services. Center for Child and Family Research: Loughborough University. Retrieved on February 6, 2012

from http://www.ac.uk/research/ccfr/Publicatins/OutputsreportFinal.pdf

Healthcare Network (2012). Child protection overshadowed by computer system. The Guardian: Guardian News and Media Limited. Retrieved on February 6, 2012 from http://www.smarthealthcare.com/child-protection

Miller, E. (2012). How to understand and communicate social informatics. eHow:

Social Work Children a Research

After all, television attracts people to watch it and perhaps this could provide an interface to get the client and the social caseworker to interact more effectively with each other. Many caseworkers perceive that the new information technology compromises their ability to offer services at all or in the quality of the services because it has greatly increased their caseloads, therefore making it impossible to deliver the services they previously could on a client by client basis. As stated above, the ability to perceive that younger clients may be getting more services may not occur to case workers over 35 and would probably to those who are under that age. This is especially the case when the it system goes down and then they can not deliver services via paper or have to reschedule a visit. This just further clogs the caseworker's overworked schedule. Additionally, there would be a question….

Choi, G., Ligon, J., & Ward, J. (2002). Computer anxiety and social workers: differences by access, use, and training. Journal of Technology in Human Services, 19(1), 1-12.

Saade, R.G., & Kira, D. (2009). Computer anxiety in e-learning: The effect of computer self-efficacy.

Journal of Information Technology Education, 8, 177-191.

Social Work Acquires Its Name by Virtue

Social work acquires its name by virtue of its responsibilities. The profession is entrusted by society to look at how individuals are affected by their environment, how they interact and are affected by their community, and at how individuals are influenced by social institutions. These are important responsibilities and it is important that the profession keep its eye on its responsibilities (Howe, 1994). Too often the profession's clients are victims of an imperfect social system. Such victims are disadvantaged, disenfranchised, and forgotten. Their resources both financially and personally are limited. The duty of the social work profession is stand firmly on the side of such victims and to ensure that they are, at a minimum, provided with some measure of social justice (Lundy, 2011). It is the pursuit for social justice that distinguishes social work from other professions. Social workers are dedicated to making a difference and making sure that society is….

H.Schwartz, R. (2007). Social Worker Hope and Perceived Burnout: The Effects of Age, Years in Practice, and Setting. Administration in Social Work, 103-119.

Howe, D. (1994). Modernity, Postmodernity and Social Work. British Journal of Social Work, 513-532.

Lundy, C. (2011). Social Work, Social Justice, and Human Rights: A Structural Approach to Practice. Tornto: University of Toronto Press.

Reisch, M. (2001). Nature of Work and Future of the Social Work Profession. Social Work, 9-19.

Social Work What Does the

Social work played a role in these processes in different ways, based on the existing perception about women and femininity. The profession itself has a range of ideological origins. Some people suggest that it is a continuance of the benevolent and charitable traditions linked to the functions of various Churches; others search for its roots in social movements, especially in the labor agencies and the women's movement. Various welfare regimes link social work with social and cultural environments. From the start, many of its activities relate with services targeted at women, treating them within the context of the prevailing femininity ideologies. Modern research indicates that the role of women in establishing social work was greater than was believed in the past, when only provider and user roles were attributable to them. The account of social work is of rising interest to researchers in social work. This illustrates social change at….

Bennett, J. (2012). Elisabeth Badinter's 'The Conflict': Does Modern Motherhood Undermine

Women? Retrieved From:  http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2012/04/23/elisabeth-badinter-s-the-conflict-does-modern-motherhood-undermine-women.html 

Feit, M.D. (2003). Toward a definition of social work practice: Reframing the dichotomy.

Keating, C. (2005).Building Coalitional Consciousness, NWSA Journal: Retrieved From:

Social Work Theories Human Behavior Is Very

Social Work Theories Human behavior is very difficult to predict on a consistent basis. The amount of stimuli that the human mind intakes causes an infinite amount of possibilities that the person can choose from. Luckily for professional social workers, psychologists and psychiatrists conducting many experiments have developed certain theories that can explain human behavior. These models are tools that healers and doctors can use to help identify and eventually treat problems that are occurring in society today causing chaos and dysfunction. The purpose of this essay is to examine two separate theories on human behavior and discuss them in terms of their application to at risk or oppressed populations, which includes nearly every segment of society. This essay will first examine self-determination theory (SDT) as a useful means of explaining human behavior and relate the ideas contained in this theory to the professional practice of social work. The second theory this….

Bowlby, J.(1969) Attachment and Loss. Volume 1: Attachment; . London: Hogarth Press

Deci, E. & Ryan, R. (2012) . Self-Determination Theory. Retrieved from  http://books.google.com/books?hl=en&lr=&id=SePipgh2z7kC&oi=fnd&pg=PA416&dq=self+determination+theory&ots=_LntsmLZwT&sig=m9VIj7HAgdzkfac8vhlR6MOBMtE#v=onepage&q=self%20determination%20theory&f=false 

Gagne, M.. & Deci, E. (2005). Self-Determination Theory and Work Motivation. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 26, 331-262, 2005. Retrieved from  http://www.langleygroup.com.au/images/Deci-2005-Self-determination-theory-and-work-motivation-.pdf 

Flaherty, S. (2011). A Review of Attachment Theory in the Context of Adolescent Parenting. Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2011 Mar-Apr, 25(2): 114-121. Retrieved from  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3051370/

Social Work Summary Assessment of My Motivation

Social Work Summary Assessment of My Motivation, eadiness, and Suitability for the Profession of Social Work Social work is a profession that denotes incredible responsibility to individuals, community, and colleagues. As a personal passion, social work is a calling. Yet it takes more than interest in helping others to establish a professional foundation based on respect and hard work. My overall readiness for being a professional social worker depends on factors like adequate training in primary areas of specialization, awareness of target populations or populations of interest, understanding of sociological theories and forces, and knowledge of multiple modalities and interventions. When I ask myself whether I am suitable for the profession, I first look at my underlying beliefs, motivations, attributes, and characteristics. I need to be honest when addressing potential biases, such as those imparted by race, religion, social class, gender, and upbringing. Likewise, I need to ask myself how willing I….

"16 Personalities," (2014). Retrieved online:  http://www.16personalities.com/isfj-personality 

"About Eco-Maps," (n.d.). Retrieved online:  http://socialwork.msu.edu/koehler/docs/AboutEcomaps.pdf 

GenoPro (2014). Retrieved online:  http://www.genopro.com/genogram/

Social Work Exercise the Imaginary Recording Helped

Social Work Exercise The imaginary recording helped me to examine the language that I use commonly, and listen for embedded biases. I noticed that I assumed that the client could hear me and see me, rather than acknowledge the fact that the client could be deaf or visually impaired. It might be helpful to establish immediately whether the client requires assistive technologies when understanding the types of services we provide. I also noticed that I did not readily acknowledge the possibility that the client might not identify with gender binaries. In the future, I could ask a more open-ended question such as, "How do you perceive gender, and how central is gender to your personal identity?" I did not mention religion, but it might be helpful to know if the client values religion and incorporate our stance on religion from the onset of therapy. One of the most glaring mistakes that I….

Ismail, A. (n.d.). Religious taboos in Judaism. Opposing Views. Retrieved online: http://people.opposingviews.com/religious-taboos-judaism-4581.html

"Jewish Culture," (n.d.). Retrieved online:  http://nursing322sp10.wordpress.com/jewish-culture/

Social Work Working With the Culturally Diverse

Social Work: Working With Substance Abuse Issues Social Work Individuals in the clinical population of interest Substance abuse includes use of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and opioids, and other substances such as alcohol, amphetamines, benzodiazepines, and barbiturates. Often use of these substances leads to criminal ramifications since they are outlawed in many states alongside possible social, physical, and psychological consequences from their use. They also lead to antisocial behaviors and may lead to dependency on the drug by the user. It is estimated that substance abuse is common in 120 million persons using hard drugs and other substances. The age of these users ranges from the early age of 14 onwards with reports suggesting that close to half of students in the 12th grade have used illegal drugs at some point in their lives. Common drugs among these young users are alcohol and cigarettes of tobacco. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that there….

Hays, D.G., & Erford, B.T. (2013). Developing Multicultural Counseling Competence: A Systems Approach. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.

Marbley, A.F. (2011). Multicultural Counseling: Perspectives from Counselors as Clients of Color. London, UK: Taylor & Francis.

Ponterotto, J.G. (2009). Handbook of Multicultural Counseling. Thousand Oaks: SAGE Publications.

Segovia, F., & Defever, R. (2010). TRENDS -- AMERICAN PUBLIC OPINION ON IMMIGRANTS AND IMMIGRATION POLICY. The Public Opinion Quarterly, 74(2), 375-394. doi: 10.2307/40660649

Social Work Comparing Micro Macro Approaches Social

Social Work Comparing micro macro approaches Social Work from Different Perspectives In this paper, we will assess the roles and duties which a social worker can provide from an individual and through a community basis to any other individual or community. We will also examine the advantages and disadvantages in both of the work types and then prefer our chosen methodology supported by valid reasoning. Finally, we will list our current capabilities to carry out a community/administrative practice approach. Individual/Micro basis On an individual basis, social work can be performed by any person having a specific set of means needed to help any other person who is in need of any sort of aid. The means with which any person can rely on to help others can vary such as through financial assistance, skills, technical expertise and so on. There are many different fields which allow its practitioners to help others through social work; one….

Social Work With Individuals

Social Work With Individuals Describe the preliminary phase of the counseling work and the beginning (or contracting) phase. As Shulman demonstrates, each phase of the work of counseling requires its own specific skills and techniques, and all phases have their own importance and necessity within the counseling process as a whole. Each phase has a skill set and knowledge base required by the counselor for the success of the work of counseling. The very first phase is the preliminary phase. This phase is one which the counselor completes alone, when the counselor attempts to make himself or herself aware of the phases which might emerge during the counseling session (Shulman, 2008). During this stage, the counselor should also draft strategies for responding to the cues, both direct and indirect, made by the client. The counselor needs to brush up on all possible ways of putting the client's feelings into words. On the other….

Shulman, L.(2008) The Skills of Helping. Belmont: Cengage Learning

Social Work With Individuals According

The ultimate aim is then to cultivate skills that he can use on his own to help him maintain a constructive life and relationships. What is interesting is that, although we are completely different in terms of culture, values and background, my client and I both have the same basic expectations and needs in terms of the social work relationship. We both need the professional to understand us on the basis of our own values rather than those of the professional working with us. We both need to cultivate skills that will ultimately help us work autonomously on the problems we face. The only difference is, potentially, the degree and nature of the problems we face, as well as the time it would probably take us to cultivate the skills needed to help us face our problems independently. These differences will occur on a case by case basis, but the important….

Coady, N. And Lehman, P. (2007). Theoretical Perspective for Direct Social Work Practice: a generalist-eclectic approach. Springer Publishing Company.

Dhooper, S.S. And Moore, S.E. (2000). Social Work Practice with Culturally Diverse People. Sage.

Hepworth, DH, Rooney, R.H. And Rooney, G.D. (2009). Direct Social Work Practice: Theory and Skills. Cengage Learning.

Kirst-Ashman, K.K. And Hull, G.H. (2009). Understanding Generalist Practice. Cengage Learning.

Social Work Theory

Social ork Theory: Australia An Assessment of an Application of estern Social ork Theory the Indigenous People of Australia Today, there is a considerable debate in the Asia-Pacific region concerning the importance of indigenous models of social work. This debate focuses on whether social work needs to discover a unique model for every context which is significantly different from other contexts; for example, socialist instead of capitalist, predominantly rural instead of urban, poorly developed as against medium or well developed, and Buddhist as opposed to Muslim or Christian? In the alternative, does social work actually possess a universal core of theory, values, skills, and intervention methods that can be adapted to, or otherwise modified within, each particular national or local context? (Midgley 1981). To this end, this paper examines the viability of applying estern social work theory to the indigenous people of Australia, followed by a summary of the research in the….

Works Cited

Elliott, Doreen, Nazneen S. Mayadas, and Thomas D. Watts (Eds.). International Handbook on Social Work Theory and Practice. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997.

Cornely, Seno A. And Denise D. Bruno. Brief History of Social Work Practice and Professional Education. In Elliott al., International Handbook on Social Work Theory and Practice. Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1997.

International Federation of Social Workers. (1976). International Code of Ethics for the Professional Social Worker. Geneva, Switzerland.

Mayadas N.S. And D.B. Lasan. Integrating refugees into alien cultures. In C. Guzzetta, A.J. Katz, and R.A. English (Eds.). Education for Social Work Practice: Selected International Models. New York: Council on Social Work Education, 1984.

Family and Marriage

Social Work Framework A framework to social work practice is based on a set of beliefs and assumptions about how, when, and under what conditions people and systems change and…

Sports - Drugs

Social Justice Social Work Value/Social Justice- For centuries, philosophers have puzzled the human condition. Since humans have lived together there have been queries about how and why humans acts the…

Admission Essay

Social Work Field Perception of Social Work Social work is a challenging profession that also helps one make a difference in the lives of others (CUW 2011). It aims at improving…

Research Paper

Education - Computers

The creation of timely and well-designed outputs leads to further information recording, correcting and completing previous recordings. This builds into a "virtuous circle (Gatehouse et al.)." Social workers rendering…

After all, television attracts people to watch it and perhaps this could provide an interface to get the client and the social caseworker to interact more effectively with…

Social work acquires its name by virtue of its responsibilities. The profession is entrusted by society to look at how individuals are affected by their environment, how they interact…

Business - Ethics

Social work played a role in these processes in different ways, based on the existing perception about women and femininity. The profession itself has a range of ideological origins.…

Creative Writing

Social Work Theories Human behavior is very difficult to predict on a consistent basis. The amount of stimuli that the human mind intakes causes an infinite amount of possibilities that…

Social Work Summary Assessment of My Motivation, eadiness, and Suitability for the Profession of Social Work Social work is a profession that denotes incredible responsibility to individuals, community, and colleagues. As…

Mythology - Religion

Social Work Exercise The imaginary recording helped me to examine the language that I use commonly, and listen for embedded biases. I noticed that I assumed that the client could hear…

Social Work: Working With Substance Abuse Issues Social Work Individuals in the clinical population of interest Substance abuse includes use of drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and opioids, and other substances such…

Health - Nursing

Social Work Comparing micro macro approaches Social Work from Different Perspectives In this paper, we will assess the roles and duties which a social worker can provide from an individual and through…

Social Work With Individuals Describe the preliminary phase of the counseling work and the beginning (or contracting) phase. As Shulman demonstrates, each phase of the work of counseling requires its own…

Anthropology

The ultimate aim is then to cultivate skills that he can use on his own to help him maintain a constructive life and relationships. What is interesting is that,…

Social ork Theory: Australia An Assessment of an Application of estern Social ork Theory the Indigenous People of Australia Today, there is a considerable debate in the Asia-Pacific region concerning the…

Writing Guide

Professional social workers create a variety of documents, including proposals, case reports, and treatment itineraries. Social work programs prepare students for these tasks through writing assignments such as research papers and essays. To prepare for these writing assignments, students should have a basic understanding of grammar, punctuation, citation styles, and essay formats before entering a social work program.

Professional social workers create a variety of documents, including proposals, case reports, and treatment itineraries.

Social workers handle vital information, which makes the ability to communicate clearly in writing a crucial skill. For example, a child welfare worker gathers information concerning the wellbeing of a child. If the phrasing in the related case report is too complicated, the professional may overlook safety details, which could endanger the child. Additionally, concise wording is important. Wordy documents can take excessive amounts of time to read, which could prevent social workers from considering other cases on a suitable schedule. To master the social work writing style, students should learn to provide necessary information succinctly.

Social work programs may begin assessing writing abilities during the application process through personal statements, so applicants should polish their writing skills before applying.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Types of writing social workers will do in school, personal statements.

Many applications require a personal statement that provides in-depth information highlighting the candidate’s qualifications and positive traits. Whereas a resume may briefly reference a volunteer opportunity at an organization, a personal statement could describe lessons learned while volunteering or elaborate on personal contributions that benefited the organization.

Schools examine these qualifications while reviewing statements, but they also consider the statements as social work writing samples and evaluate each applicant’s writing skills. For this reason, candidates should proofread these documents and include the standard introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. By following these practices, applicants demonstrate their understanding of college-level writing concepts.

Applicants should focus on strengths and experiences related to social work and avoid vague statements and cliches. Instead of noting their lifelong passion for the field, a student could address a single incident that sparked interest in social work. The school may provide a prompt on which applicants should base their statements. These prompts may involve career goals or ambitions in the social work field.

If the school lists personal statements as optional, applicants should consider submitting a statement to demonstrate their work ethic. However, if the school makes no mention of personal statements, students should refrain from submitting one, given the amount of application materials each school must review each year.

Social work courses may include essay examinations during which learners must answer questions in a limited time frame. Students rarely see the questions in advance. To prepare, students should become familiar with all major course components by attending classes, taking clear notes, and keeping up with readings and assignments. Study groups may also be beneficial.

To prepare, students should become familiar with all major course components by attending classes, taking clear notes, and keeping up with readings and assignments.

During the exam, students should begin by outlining the thesis and supporting evidence. This outline guides the student through the writing process and ensures the response remains on-track. These assessments often require three main supporting points, so students may include five paragraphs within these outlines: the introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Learners should also use time-management techniques during these assessments. Students may allot a certain amount of time for each paragraph, plus time to proofread. Using this strategy, students can write and polish each paragraph.

Candidates should carefully answer the assigned question, ensuring they read the question correctly. A single word can alter the prompt’s meaning. For example, an essay explaining how an event happened is different than one detailing why the event happened.

Research Papers

Whereas an essay may include personal opinions, a research paper focuses on facts. For example, an essay discussing a novel could include the student’s thoughts about the work. A research paper would use scholarly evidence to examine aspects of the novel, such as themes, characters, and historical significance.

Essays and research papers also differ in length. An essay may require only five paragraphs. A research paper, however, may be 10 pages or longer.

Students in social work courses can research topics such as drug or alcohol issues, government policies, child welfare, community involvement, and mental wellness. Social work research papers often include sections for methodology, literature, and research results, as well as an abstract and a reference list that fulfills APA requirements.

Students should use a variety of primary and secondary sources when writing research papers. Citing multiple sources reinforces the student’s claims. However, students should refrain from relying too heavily on quoted material; excessive quotations implies the writer does not understand the topic well enough to paraphrase the source information.

Learners may also submit papers to tutoring services before submitting to reduce the chances of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

How Do You Write an Essay?

Social work programs may require various writing assignments to prepare students to complete professional writing for social work practice. Each form of academic writing serves a distinct purpose, and an understanding of various writing styles provides a foundation to help students during these assignments.

Narrative papers often depict personal experiences, such as memorable vacations or first attempts at hobbies. Narrative works also include opinion pieces, such as book reports. When writing a narrative essay, students should have a clear focus.

Expository writing explores a specific topic and requires the writer to carefully examine the topic. The facts presented in an expository piece can come from research or, if the assignment’s structure limits research time, through means such as logic or an example. Cause and effect pieces, compare and contrast works, and process descriptions may all qualify as expository writing if they are meant to present information. All expository pieces should include a thesis and logical transitions.

Persuasive writing requires students to take a stance on a topic and to support that stance with evidence. Research is crucial to persuasive writing, and students should incorporate multiple sources to support their thesis. Additionally, writers should present countering opinions and prove the instability of opposing viewpoints through facts, logic, and examples. Ultimately, persuasive writing should convince readers that the writer’s position is the accurate stance on the topic.

Comparative

These assignments require students to compare two or more similar concepts, such as political positions, marketing plans, or fictional themes. Professors may assign topics or allow students to select their own. Before writing, learners should brainstorm similarities and organize them into body paragraphs. For instance, a student comparing two artistic pieces may construct paragraphs about color, medium, and setting.

Cause and Effect

This type of paper explains a presumed cause for a specific occurrence. For example, a student may claim that limited health insurance options lead to untreated illnesses in the United States. With this topic, the student could divide supporting evidence into separate paragraphs, such as the cost of health insurance, the benefits of health insurance, and the process of finding insurance information. Using this strategy, the writer covers various health insurance problems to verify the paper’s main point.

Citations Guide for Social Work Students

Using source information without proper citation leads to plagiarism, the act of claiming a source’s ideas without giving the source due credit. Consequences for plagiarism can include failing assignments, failing courses, being expelled from school, and enduring a lawsuit. Since departments require different citation styles, degree candidates should ensure they use the proper citation format for each assignment.

American Psychological Association (APA) Style

APA format was established in 1929 to create a common format for writing. These guidelines allowed writers to more easily interpret one another’s findings. Professionals in fields including psychology, criminology, and business use APA style.

APA format requires specific headers, page numbers, a cover page, an abstract, divided sections, and a reference list. APA in-text citations specify the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number. Students may substitute these details for the work’s title, “n.d.” (“no date”), and a paragraph number or section title, respectively, if the primary information is not available.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons & Hatfield, 2016, p. 23).

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

In 1906, the Chicago University Press established this citation style, which professionals in fields including history and philosophy employ today. Students following Chicago style may use in-text citations but often use footnotes or endnotes instead. Chicago style also requires a specifically structured cover page, page numbers, and a bibliography.

Footnotes and endnotes resemble bibliography entries but have different punctuation. In a bibliography, students use periods to separate a book’s publisher, publication place, and publication year. In footnotes and endnotes, this information is in parentheses. Additionally, endnotes and footnotes should include page numbers.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons and Hatfield 2016, 23).

Modern Language Association (MLA) Format

Established in 1883, the Modern Language Association supplies guidelines that many English, literature, and communication departments adopt.

MLA format includes a works cited page at the end of the document and specific page headers and numbers in the upper right-hand corner of each page. Basic assignment information, such as the student’s name, the date, and the course title, appears in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. MLA does not require a cover page, which separates this format from other styles. MLA in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons and Hatfield 23).

Associated Press (AP) Style

This style, established in 1977, covers wording, organization, and source documentation. Journalists and news reporters often use this format.

AP style uses brief paragraphs and concise sentences to quicken the pace of the writing. The style requires writers to abbreviate certain words, use a person’s first name only on the initial mention, and eliminate titles. Writers should also replace vague words with more specific options.

Instead of using parenthetical citations, writers can reference the sources in dialogue format. This detail and the lack of reference list are AP style’s distinct elements.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years,” according to Simmons and Hatfield.

The Best Writing Style for Social Work Majors

Most types of writing in social work require learners and professionals to use APA format. This style is ideal for social work professionals, who often work with documents containing vital information. When dealing with these types of documents, clear details and concise wording are essential. The rigidness of APA style helps writers provide an organized overview of the document’s topic.

Common Writing Mistakes Students Make

Active vs. passive voice.

When writing in active voice, writers state the doer of the action before the sentence’s verb. An example of an active construction would be, “He wrote the book.” Passive voice places the object of the action prior to the verb: “The book was written by him.” Though the information remains the same, active voice states the message more concisely.

Passive voice is a style error, not a grammar issue, and can even be useful in certain situations. Writers may use passive voice when the noun or pronoun undergoing the action supplies the sentence’s emphasis, such as in the following sentence: “The U.S. was founded in 1776.” Because passive voice serves certain purposes and has no technical grammar flaws, using unnecessary passive constructions is a common error.

In most cases, students should choose active voice for concision and clarity. Consider the sentence, “The food was enjoyed.” The reader cannot tell who enjoyed the food, whereas an active sentence with an equal number of words answers this question: “Jane enjoyed the food.”

Punctuation

Punctuation marks include periods, commas, semicolons, dashes, and quotation marks, and confusing their purposes may lead to flawed sentence structures. For example, a semicolon joins two independent clauses, or phrases that can stand alone: “The dog barked; it was loud.” Using a comma in this situation constitutes a grammatical error called a comma splice: “The dog barked, it was loud.”

Punctuation missteps can also alter meaning. In the sentence, “Please stop, David,” the comma before the name directs David to stop. “Please stop David,” on the other hand, would instruct an unknown person to stop David from performing a task.

Writers may confuse colons and semicolons. Colons indicate a pause before an emphasized idea, such as in the sentence,”She knew where to drive: Montana.” The colon places importance on the destination, Montana. Semicolons, on the other hand, may separate nested lists, as in the following sentence.

“The attendants choose between hiking, swimming, and basketball; running, yoga, and tennis; or weightlifting, bicycling, and baseball.”

Writers should become familiar with punctuation rules to craft accurate and clear sentences.

Grammar refers to language rules for phrasing and wording, including concepts such as verb tense and noun-pronoun agreement. Students may struggle with grammatical details, since the language includes irregularities that alter guidelines. For example, constructing past tense verbs often involves adding “d” or “ed.” However, irregular verbs use different formats; the past tense of “eat” is “ate,” and the past tense of “go” is “went.”

Writers may also struggle with homophones, which sound similar but have distinct meanings. Commonly confused homophones are “there,” “their,” and “they’re,” which indicates a place, shows possession, and is a contraction for “they are,” respectively. To avoid grammatical mistakes, learners should thoroughly study the language’s structure.

Writing Resources for Social Work Students

• Paradigm Online Writing Assistant This website guides learners through various stages of the writing process, including topic selection, revisions, and idea organization. Additionally, students may find information on different types of writing, such as argumentative works and informal pieces.
• Write Content Solutions This website provides tips on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure and assists students with researching and citing sources. Students can improve their writing skills using practice worksheets available through the website.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab The Purdue OWL offers information on the writing process and assists applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs. Students can explore MLA, APA, AP, and Chicago formats through the writing lab.
• Writer’s Digest This website provides articles on creating pieces in specific genres, for individuals with particular levels of writing expertise. Topics include homophones and time management. The website also provides information about writing conferences and publications.
• TutorMe This website assists students struggling with essay structure or citation format. Tutors may help learners polish their writing through grammar and punctuation checks and general proofreading.

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Social Work Practice Reflective Essay

Introduction.

Social work is a professional area of practice which applies knowledge, skills, research techniques and social theory to improve the lives of individuals, communities and groups.

Social work is considered as a helping profession because it is majorly concerned with the plight of people who are in difficult situations with an aim of helping them overcome those difficulties.

Social workers work in diverse fields both in the private and public sectors such as in rehabilitation centers, child welfare institutions, humanitarian organizations, borstal institutions and homes of the elderly among others (Hare, 2004).

Social workers go through the formal education system with a special bias in the social, biological and behavioral sciences.

During training, they are exposed to field practicum in which they get an opportunity to work with various organizations where they merge theory with practice (Healy, 2008).

Just like other professions such as law or medicine, social work is guided by values, ethics and codes of conduct. Some of the values include competence, integrity, professionalism, social justice and value for human dignity.

Some of the core principles include confidentiality, controlled emotional involvement and client self determination among others. Some of the skills include self awareness, observation and critical thinking (Healy, 2007).

In this paper, I will explore social work practice by looking at oppression of women by men. I will also look into the knowledge, values and skills which are associated with culturally sensitive practice with diverse populations.

Eventually I will engage in a self-awareness exercise by self-administering a value-based assessment and cultural competency inventory; and finally engage in a thoughtful analysis and discussion of my strengths and weaknesses as they pertain to my cultural competency and how I plan to improve on the weaknesses.

Gender and oppression of women

Gender refers to the roles associated with a particular sex, either male or female. Males and females are born with physical and biological differences. Some physical differences include height, appearance, weight and physical strength.

Biological differences may include sexual reproduction organs and hormonal processes. These differences between males and females have been misused to oppress women in several aspects of life like in education, career, power, leadership, employment and management (Connel, 2009).

In the field of management for example, women have been oppressed by men through various ways. For example, the issues of masculinity and femininity have played a role in gendering the field of management (Crosby, Stockdale, & Ropp, 2007).

Many organizations are guided by the principles of masculinity which do not have respect for women. In these organizations, the authority of women managers is not respected as the authority of men managers.

This leads to a situation whereby the leadership or management by a woman may not be as effective as that of a man because the employees in those organizations do not recognize women as a source of authority and therefore, any guidelines, instructions or regulations given by a woman manager may not be taken seriously by the employees (Hartl, 2003).

In many organizations, women do light jobs such as secretarial work or marketing. The central roles are dominated by men who are responsible for planning, policy making and moving the organizations towards the realization of their mission and vision (Rivas, 2013).

Many professional women or the “working mothers” are faced with role multiplicity. At home, they are supposed to be good mothers and wives. They are supposed to ensure that the children are well fed, are healthy and clean (Gregory, 2003).

They are also supposed to take good care of their husbands. At the work place, they are supposed to produce good results either as managers or as normal employees. This makes them fall short of what is expected of them at the work place.

The men on the other hand have very few roles to play at home which leaves them with a lot of time to concentrate on their roles in the work place. Due to this, they are able to meet the set targets or expectations of the organizations (Mason, 2002).

For the women, reproduction is part of labor which they are not compensated for yet if they do not reproduce children, there would be no human resources to work in the organizations.

Women have also been oppressed through promotions in organizations. Some women have to engage in sex with male directors so as to get promoted to the positions of managers.

In the work place, women may be sexually or physically abused by their bosses due to the fact that they are perceived as being inferior and not able to resist the harassment or abuse (Coin & Budapest, 2010).

In some communities especially in the African continent, girls are denied the opportunity to gain education with the belief that women’s role in the society is to give birth to as many children as possible and also entertain the men with sex.

In Kenya for example, the enrollment rates for girls in some communities like the Turkana is less than 10%, meaning that in every 100 girls of school going age, only 10 go to school.

The others are betrothed to elderly men as wives after undergoing female genital cut. This has made women lack leadership, political and technological skills (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2011).

In the developing countries mostly in Africa and Asia, poverty is very rampant. The economies are poorly managed and therefore there are few job opportunities. Many people depend on rain fed agriculture which is not sustainable due to lack of rainfall.

In these countries, most men flee their homes to search for jobs and leave their wives at home with young children. These women are not able to take care of the welfare of the children and they strain a lot to ensure that the children are fed, clothed and schooled.

Some women are forced to engage in prostitution as a source of income for their families. The women in these countries suffer silently because there are very few women in positions of power and leadership who can advocate for their rights.

Women have also been oppressed through being denied the opportunity to inherit property. In the developing countries especially in Africa, women are not supposed to inherit any property from their parents.

Among the Turkana of Kenya for example, if a wife does not give birth to a male child, the husband marries another wife who will give birth to a male child. It is this male child who will inherit all the properties of the parents when they die or when they grow old.

The reasoning behind this is that women are not supposed to own any property but are instead supposed to be owned as property by men.

Since 1974, some improvement has been realized in increasing the number of women in management positions. In the UK for example, the percentage of women who held management positions in 1974 was only 2%. In 2008, the percentage rose to 34.5% (Meulders, 2010).

In other parts of the world, women are almost at par with men in various aspects such as leadership, education and technical know how.

This is not however to say that oppression of women does not exist but what it means is that many people are slowly realizing that women are just like men and what men can do, women can also do it provided that the playing field is leveled.

Effects of women oppression

One of the effects of women oppression in the work place is that it leads to role conflict which eventually leads to stress.

Role conflict refers to a form of disagreement among the roles held by one individual; that is, roles which correspond to various statuses of the same individual. Role conflict pulls an individual in different directions at the same time. It may be short lived or long lived.

A good example to illustrate role conflict is by a working mother. As explained earlier, the mother is expected to deliver good results at the work place and also be a good wife at home through taking care of the children, husband and doing other domestic chores.

At the family level, women are oppressed through various ways such as wife battering, marital rape, female genital cut, being denied opportunity to gain education and inherit property, men running away from home among others.

Domestic violence is the most common form of women oppression at the family level especially in the developing countries. Domestic violence has traumatizing effects on women. Such women need advocacy, empowerment and counseling for them to heal.

There is also need for social workers to agitate for policy change to enable women get education and inherit property. Social workers should also educate the communities to avoid cultural practices which have been used to oppress women.

Social work knowledge

Social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations need to have social work knowledge in specific areas. One of the areas of social work knowledge is the knowledge of human behavior.

Having knowledge of human behavior helps the social workers understand the cultures, values and norms of specific communities.

This in turn helps the social workers package their intervention in such a manner that it does not conflict with the cultural practices, beliefs and norms of the particular communities.

Such knowledge also helps the social workers to understand the cultural prejudices in various communities. This understanding of the cultural prejudices enables the social workers to help the people differentiate the facts and fictions in regard to certain prejudices.

For example, in a community which believes that women are not allowed to go to school, the social workers can help the people understand that women in other parts of the world are allowed to attain eduction and challenge them to change that kind of perception.

Another social work knowledge which is useful for social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations is the knowledge of social justice. Social workers need to have an understanding of social justice so as to help people in communities who suffer social injustice.

The social workers should also educate the people about the concept and show them the importance of embracing social justice.

Social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations also need social work knowledge about the code of conduct for social workers and the ethics which govern the profession of social work.

This knowledge can help the social workers avoid unprofessional conduct which might conflict with certain values, norms and practices of particular groups.

Social workers working with such populations also need an understanding of human rights.

For example, they need to understand the various international laws, treaties and conventions which stipulate various human rights for different categories of people such as employees, children and women among others.

This understanding can help the social workers educate the populations for them to know when their rights are violated and what they are supposed to do. However, the social workers must do it in a professional manner so that they are not accused of incitement.

Social work values

One of the values for social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse communities is the value of service to humanity.

This value is very important for the social workers because it enables them to serve the populations irrespective of their cultural, religious, economic and historical orientations.

Social workers without this value may have difficult time and in some cases, they may find it almost impossible to work with some cultural groups.

The value of service to humanity also enables the social workers to appreciate and empathize with the populations without necessarily sympathizing with them.

Another value which is important for social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations is the value of human dignity. Social workers must understand that they have an obligation of respecting the clients and their cultural practices.

They have to put aside their personal biases against a certain group for them to help the clients. Some times social workers may consider some practices as weird.

However, with the value of human dignity, they are able to acknowledge the fact that clients have a right of self determination. When they understand this, they are able to assist the clients without any obstacles.

Social workers also need to have the value of competence and integrity. They need to apply their knowledge, skills and techniques in a professional manner when dealing with clients.

The essence of this is that competence and integrity enable the social workers to avoid any questionable behavior or practice. It also enhances the trust and confidence of the clients in the social workers.

This also enables the clients to open up to the social workers and give as much information as possible. With the information and cooperation from the clients, the social workers are able to solve the problems affecting the clients or refer those which they cannot handle.

This enhances the acceptance of the social workers by the communities (Morreau & Benson, 2012).

Social work skills

One important skill which social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations should have is the skill of observation. Observation has to do with going beyond what people say and focusing on their body language and reaction to some social situations.

The skill also has to do with doing more listening than talking. This is because the social workers are supposed to treat the clients as the best teachers of their own problems.

If the social workers do more listening and observing than talking, they are able to gather as much information as possible which is very crucial for the interventions.

Another skill for dealing with culturally sensitive and diverse populations is the skill of critical thinking. This has to do with how social workers interpret the information they gather from clients either through interviewing, listening, observing or reading.

The social workers should apply critical thinking in order to interpret the information correctly. Lack of critical thinking may lead to wrong diagnosis, treatment and intervention. The social workers should therefore understand the information correctly without any personal biases

Another skill which is important when working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations is the skill of self awareness. Social workers need to understand how their background, perceptions, biases, motivations and prejudices may affect their relationship with clients.

If social workers have low levels of self awareness, chances of acting improperly are increased. It is therefore very important that the social workers put aside any subjective reasoning and replace it with objectivity for them to be able to effectively assist the clients.

The skill of self awareness also helps the social workers to identify transference in clients. Transference is a situation in which clients associate their fate with the social workers.

For example, a female client whose husband is violent may easily confuse a male social worker for her husband; she may do this through making statements such as ‘you men are really bad’.

In such a situation, the social worker is supposed to counter the transference by helping the client understand that his role is to help her out of the problem and not to take the blame of others (Tsui, 2010).

Social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations also need to have excellent verbal communication skills. This is because communication is the only way that the social workers can use to understand the clients and for the clients to understand the social workers.

They must be able to understand how to communicate with different groups at different times. For example, the way a social worker is supposed to talk to an elderly refugee woman is not the same way he or she can talk to a young child who is a school drop out.

Verbal communication is an important asset for social workers working with culturally sensitive and diverse populations because it enables them to effectively advocate for the clients especially those who are oppressed or marginalized.

The skill can enable social workers to influence policy change or development for the improvement of people’s welfare. Apart from verbal communication, social workers need to have the skill of documentation.

Proper documentation enables social workers to keep track of every aspect of their interventions and this becomes an asset for them when they want to influence the development or change of a certain social policy.

Cultural competency inventory

My total score for the value based assessment and cultural competency inventory is 75. What this means is that I am headed in the right direction as far as embracing cultural diversity is concerned.

I would have wished to score 80 and above but this is not the case, probably because I am yet to cover some topics in therapeutic approaches and the relationship between myself as a therapist and clients.

My strengths and weaknesses in cultural competency

Based on my value based assessment and cultural competency, there are the areas which I scored poorly and others which I scored well. Those which I scored well are my areas of strength while those which I scored poorly are my areas of weakness.

One of my strengths in cultural competency is that I like meeting new people especially those who are different from me in terms of race, gender and culture. Being a Russian lady for instance, I like associating myself with African or Asian men.

I also love and embrace the culture of non whites such as the African Americans and Asian Americans. Another area of strength is the fact that I understand that I am independent and do appreciate the views of other people even if those views are in contrary to my own views.

I am able to control my personal biases when interpreting the actions of those who are different from me. I also appreciate various communication methods used by various groups of people.

Similarly, I am able to understand that other people may stereotype against me and therefore I am able to work against those stereotypes in order to interact with such people in a harmonious manner.

I am also good in sorting out my values to know which one to compromise in order to communicate with others without losing my integrity as a social worker. I am also able to seek clarifications from people in regards to what they are saying so as to get the correct meaning of what they say.

I like and accept others they way they are and avoid any remarks which may hurt certain groups in the community such as women, the people of color or those who are less fortunate in the society.

One of my main weaknesses is that I do more talking than listening. This is because sometimes I listen as I talk. This is not good because I may not be able to capture what the other person is saying. I may also not be in a position to observe the body language of others which is also part of listening.

Sometimes I also use my cultural jargon or slag when talking to people from other cultural backgrounds. This is a weakness because others may mistaken my language jargon as lack of respect for them.

I am also weak in judging people based on the fluency of their languages. This is a weakness because it amounts to biases which may lead to wrong interpretation of messages by those who are from other cultural backgrounds.

Sometimes I use some ethnic jokes when referring to some groups of people who are from different ethnic backgrounds but I get offended when others use the same language on me. This is a weakness because some ethnic jokes may hurt or provoke some people.

I plan to improve my areas of weakness by doing further reading on the area of human behavior. I also plan to gain more knowledge in interpersonal skills and how to gain and apply them in various cultural settings.

Also in my plan is to learn how to appreciate others and how to avoid judgmental attitudes towards particular populations. I also need to check on my listening skills by learning the art of doing more listening than talking.

This is because doing so would boost by ability to get as much information as possible from others and especially from clients.

My conceptual framework for practice

My future conceptual framework as a social worker is the strength based perspective of social work practice. This perspective has to do with using people’s strengths as a basis of therapy.

The perspective aims to capitalize on the strengths of clients (individuals and groups) to form a strong foundation for therapy.

It is based on the belief that despite the fact that people have problems, there is something which they are good at or they have some useful information, history or practices which can be used to overcome the problems which they are faced with.

It is also based on the belief that empowering people with information is useful for successful therapy (Rapp, 2007).

Implications of the perspective to practice

One of the implications of the strengths based perspective to practice is that it has reversed roles between the therapists and the clients. What this means is that the therapists must restrain their expertise and make the clients be the experts in solving their problems.

The therapists are supposed to play the role of empowering the people to become experts in addressing the problems which face them.

In other words, the therapists’ role is to create a sustainable intervention such that the clients are able to handle their problems even without the assistance of the therapists.

Social workers using this perspective must therefore refrain from using stigmatizing language, having negative perceptions and labeling when dealing with clients.

This is because such negative language or perceptions interferes with the ability of the social workers to effectively capacity build and empower the clients (Rapp, 2007).

When capacity building and empowering clients, social workers must be realistic; that is, they must ensure that the clients actually have those strengths which can be used as a starting point for a sustainable intervention.

They must also consider the magnitude of the problem affecting the clients and evaluate the clients’ ability to effectively handle the problem when empowered (Rapp, 2007).

Oppressed women usually suffer from stigma and feelings of inadequacy. They also undergo through emotional, psychological and social distress due to oppression.

As a social worker working with oppressed women, I will apply the strengths based perspective to empower such women with information so as to resist oppression by men. For instance, I will educate them about their rights to education, employment and fair treatment.

I will also highlight their areas of strength when dealing with men. For example, the fact that women are very good in negotiations, have patience and do not easily lose their temper can be used by a woman who is a victim of domestic violence to talk to the husband to avoid such violence.

I will also empower the oppressed women with information, skills and tactics of resisting male oppression both at the family setting and at the work place.

For example, I will inform them of the relevant agencies where they can report any form of oppression without the fear of victimization. Through this perspective, I will go a long way in fighting the vice of women oppression.

Connel, R. (2009). Gender.( 2 nd ed).Washington DC: Polity Press.

Coin & Budapest.(2010). COIN 2009 international workshops: revised selected papers. Volume 5 of Coordination, organizations, institutions, and norms in agent systems . Secaucus, NJ: Springer.

Crosby, F.J, Stockdale, M.S. & Ropp, S.A. (2007 ). Sex Discrimination in the Workplace: Multidisciplinary Perspectives . Malden, MA: Wiley-Blackwell.

Gregory, R.F. (2003). Women and workplace discrimination: overcoming barriers to gender equality. New York: Rutgers University Press.

Hare, I. (2004). Defining Social Work for the 21st Century: The International Federation of Social Workers’ Revised Definition of Social Work. International Social Work , 47: 407-424.

Hartl, K. (2003). Expatriate women managers: gender, culture, and career. Volume 12 of Schriftenreihe Organisation & Personal . 10117 Berlin: Rainer Hampp Verlag.

Healy, L.M. (2007). Uni-versalism and cultural relativism in social work ethics. International Social Work , 50: 11-26.

Healy, L.M. (2008). Exploring the history of social work as a human rights profession. International Social Work ,51: 735-748.

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2011). Population and Housing Census. Web.

Mason,L. (2002). The Working Mother’s Guide to Life: Strategies, Secrets, and Solutions. New York: Three Rivers Press.

Meulders, D. (2010). Meta-Analysis of Gender and Science Research . Web.

Morreau, W., & Benson, K. (2012). Human trafficking: Improving victim identification and service provision. International Social Work, 55: 488-503.

Rapp, R.C. (2007). The Strengths Perspective: Proving “My Strengths” and “It Works” Soc Work , 52(2): 185–186.

Rivas, F.S. (2013). Burnout, workplace support, job satisfaction and life satisfaction among social workers in Spain: A structural equation model International Social Work, 56: 228-246.

Tsui , M. (2010). From resilience to resistance: A reconstruction of the strengths perspective in social work practice. International Social Work , 53: 233-245.

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IvyPanda. (2023, December 29). Social Work Practice. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-work-practice/

"Social Work Practice." IvyPanda , 29 Dec. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/social-work-practice/.

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1. IvyPanda . "Social Work Practice." December 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-work-practice/.

Bibliography

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Writing Guide for Social Workers

Social workers serve as a link between clients and community resources, providing vital human services that assist underserved populations. Writing is a key part of the job; social workers frequently write documents such as assessment reports, case notes, letters, emails, and support plans. Often, social workers are responsible for procuring and providing services for clients, and their writing skills must be strong to enable the best support possible. The social work field has a reputation for bureaucratic red tape and paperwork, but it’s up to skilled social workers to navigate these systems and secure the most useful resources and social services for their clients.

This guide examines the ins and outs of professional writing for social work practice, exploring the main types of writing you’ll likely encounter while studying social work in college. Along with a breakdown of common types of writing, you’ll also find information on style and citation formats relevant to academic writing. Additionally, this guide includes common writing mistakes to avoid, resources to help you improve your general writing skills, and writing resources specifically for social workers.

Types of Writing Social Workers Will Do in School

Personal statements.

The personal statement is a written representation of your interests and abilities, giving colleges a sense of who you are and why you’re interested in social work. Specific topic requirements vary between schools, but the statement of purpose typically calls for you to describe your personal and professional experiences and relate them to the goals of a specific social work program. Schools also use the statement as a social work writing sample, gauging your career motives as well as your creativity, self-awareness, critical thinking skills, and overall writing ability. Common prompts may include describing your background, the development of your interest in social work, your experience with diversity, or your work experience in the field.

A strong personal statement answers all required prompts in a cohesive narrative. The essay should explain your experiences and how they relate to your aspirations while avoiding clichés and overly generalized statements. Almost everyone who goes into social work wants to help people; distinguish yourself from other applicants by explaining precisely why and how you want to help, and what makes this desire unique. Some schools don’t require the statement of purpose, but you should always complete one if you have the option, as it gives the admissions committee a clearer sense of who you are as a student and a social worker.

In many social work programs, exams take the form of essays completed during class. Professors rarely announce the essay topics in advance, but you can prepare by examining the syllabus and determining major course ideas and themes. You may also be able to anticipate potential essay topics by examining previous course materials and looking for patterns in the type of questions the professor assigns. A study group can also help you prepare for essay exams by reviewing the course curriculum and devising possible essay topics with other students.

Before you begin writing an essay, you should first determine exactly what the prompt asks, which ensures that you’re fully prepared to answer the question. Next, compose an outline with a thesis and at least three main points that support your idea. Ideally, you should spend 10-20% of your allotted time devising your main ideas and drawing up an outline. Essay exams must follow the same logical progression of ideas that characterizes conventional expository writing, so be sure to organize your supporting paragraphs properly. While writing the essay should occupy most of your exam time, try to give yourself a few minutes at the end of the exam to proofread your work and make minor revisions.

Research Papers

Of all social work writing, the research paper ranks among the most common. You’ll likely complete several extensive research papers throughout the course of your studies, requiring you to examine and synthesize many information sources on a specific topic. While a research paper is similar to an essay, several key factors distinguish the two forms: an essay typically expresses your own perspective, while a research paper uses the work of others to draw new conclusions on a topic. Research papers are typically longer than essays and require a greater depth of knowledge on a topic. Potential topics for social work research papers vary as much as the field itself and may cover subjects like substance abuse, child and family services, community organizing, or education.

Most research papers either make an argument on a topic or explore overall perspectives on a topic, and some do both. Like other forms of writing, a research paper needs a thesis and supporting information, though the thesis often changes as further research occurs. Since research papers call for substantial information gathering and presentation, outlining and organization are particularly important, and a topic must be complex enough to sustain significant research.

How Do You Write an Essay?

Regardless of your area of study, you’ll likely complete several types of writing throughout the course of your degree. Different essay styles call for different approaches, and the following section outlines the most common essay forms you’re likely to encounter, along with tips for writing them.

• Narrative : A narrative essay allows you to tell a personal story, typically with more freedom than most forms of writing. However, the narrative essay must fulfill certain requirements, such as telling a cohesive, interesting story with a beginning, middle, and end. A narrative essay must also serve a purpose; readers need to understand why you’re telling your story and come away with a message or lesson.
• Expository : The expository essay requires you to explore a topic and make a compelling argument based on your research. An expository essay begins with a clear thesis statement, moves into body paragraphs that support your argument, and ends with a conclusion that sums up your main ideas. Expository writing encompasses many styles, including comparative writing and cause-and-effect writing.
• Persuasive : Similar to the expository essay, the persuasive essay requires you to research a topic and make an argument based on your assessment. However, persuasive essays differ in that they require more extensive research and often entail more writing. Expository essays may occur as in-class assignments or as parts of exams, while persuasive essays often function as final assignments with more time to complete. A persuasive essay still requires a strong, evidence-based thesis and extensive supporting details in its body paragraphs.
• Comparative : A comparative essay examines the similarities and differences between two or more items, which could be anything from political systems to literary texts. After analyzing these items, you must develop a thesis that makes an argument about their similarities or differences. Some comparative essays focus more on similarities to develop a thesis, while others focus on differences. Like other essay forms, the comparative essay needs well-organized points that support a thesis.
• Cause and Effect : This essay type examines a certain event or pattern and attempts to analyze the factors that caused it, making an argument about why the event occurred in such a way. For example, an essay on the Great Depression and the stock market crash of 1929 might examine the various economic and social factors that led to the depression, making an argument about how these factors functioned together to create the situation.

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Citations guide for social work students.

Citation plays an important role in all forms of academic writing, as it ensures that writers properly attribute their research sources and avoid plagiarism. Failure to cite your sources properly can cause major problems in your academic career, and even unintentional plagiarism can result in heavy penalties in the academic world, particularly at higher levels of study. This section outlines the major citation styles used for academic writing, highlighting key differences and presenting examples of each style’s citation format.

American Psychological Association Style

APA style is the citation method of choice in most social science courses, and this format generally serves as the default social work writing style. Since research in the social sciences constantly changes, APA emphasizes the dates of sources to help readers determine their recency and relevance. For in-text citations, APA style uses the author’s name, the date of publication, and the page number. Book citations used in a reference list typically include the author’s name, year of publication, book title, city of publication, and the publisher.

“If the manner of a man’s dying seems arbitrary, his morality is inescapable” (Anderson, 1983, p. 10).

Anderson, B. (1983). Imagined Communities. New York, New York: Verso.

Chicago Manual of Style

The Chicago style ranks among the most comprehensive and complex of formatting choices, and it often serves the needs of high-level academic writing, particularly in the field of history. Unlike most other styles, Chicago calls for the use of either footnotes or endnotes for in-text citations. Numbered in-text citations correspond to notes that indicate the author’s name, book title, publisher information, publication date, and page number. Chicago style formatting also typically includes a formal bibliography at the end of the text.

“If the manner of a man’s dying seems arbitrary, his morality is inescapable.”[1] [1] Benedict Anderson, Imagined Communities (New York: Verso, 1983), 10.

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities. New York: Verso, 1983.

Modern Language Association Format

MLA formatting most commonly occurs in humanities and liberal arts writing, such as English and philosophy. This format emphasizes authorship, with in-text citations that indicate the author’s name and page number at the end of each quotation. For reference lists, MLA format calls for writers to include the author’s name, the title of the work, the publisher, and the year of publication.

“If the manner of a man’s dying seems arbitrary, his morality is inescapable” (Anderson 10).

Anderson, Benedict. Imagined Communities. Verso, 1983.

Associated Press Style

AP style isn’t commonly used for academic writing, but you may find yourself using this style if you’re writing a more journalistic piece. Created for newspapers and other forms of mass media, the AP style emphasizes consistency, clarity, accuracy, and brevity. Since it’s not academic, there aren’t concrete rules for citing particular types of texts, but generally the style calls for the citation of a source directly before or after a quote, often using the words “said” or “stated.”

“If the manner of a man’s dying seems arbitrary, his morality is inescapable,” said Anderson.

The Best Writing Style for Social Work Majors

Social work combines many academic disciplines, but typically, social work courses call for assignments to be formatted in APA style, though this may vary between schools, programs, and individual professors. Your faculty will likely indicate which format they prefer in the course syllabus, but it never hurts to ask. Always be sure to follow formatting instructions exactly, as professors may penalize you for disregarding specific formatting requests.

Common Writing Mistakes Students Make

Active vs. passive voice.

One of the most common mistakes among developing writers is the use of passive voice, which makes sentences wordier, less immediate, and less clear. In the active voice, the sentence’s subject performs the action. Using passive voice, the subject receives the action. Passive construction occurs everywhere in writing, but there are easy strategies to help you locate it and convert your sentences to active voice.

Certain keywords and phrases, such as “by,” “was,” and “it was” often indicate the use of the passive voice. When revising your writing, look for these words and determine if they form part of a passive sentence. For example, if you notice the word “by” connected to the subject of the sentence, see if you can alter the construction so the subject occurs closer to the beginning of the sentence.

Punctuation

Improper comma usage often leads to confusion in writing. One of the most common errors is the comma splice, which occurs when a writer connects two independent clauses using only a comma. For example: “I don’t like accounting class, it’s too difficult.” Both “I don’t like accounting class” and “it’s too difficult” are independent clauses, meaning they can stand as separate sentences. To link these clauses correctly, a comma isn’t enough; you can often correct a comma splice by either creating two separate sentences, using a semicolon to link the two clauses together, or using a coordinating conjunction like “because.”

Incorrect semicolon and colon usage also causes problems for many writers. While they function similarly, these two punctuation marks serve different purposes. A semicolon links two separate, but related, thoughts: “I’m glad I’m going to Europe; I really need a vacation.” A colon typically sets off a list or an example: “I always bring three things on vacation: my camera, my suitcase, and my sunglasses.”

Grammar mistakes hinder writers of all skill levels. In an abstract sense, grammar forms the entire structure of a language and its usage, but in practice, many simple rules exist to help you keep track of and avoid common mistakes. For example, many writers struggle with the use of there, their, and they’re, but the differences in the words are quite pronounced. There indicates a location. Their is the possessive form of they. Finally, they’re is a contraction of “they” and “are.”

Another common grammatical mistake hinges on the confusion between its and it’s. The word its is a possessive that indicates ownership. On the other hand, it’s is a contraction of “it” and “is.”

Writing Resources for Social Work Students

• Purdue OWL : Purdue University’s Online Writing Lab offers support for all types of writing, with a wealth of instructional material that covers general writing strategies and the specific facets of academic writing.
• WiSP : Writing in Social Work Practice seeks to examine the role of writing in the field of social work, with the goal of improving the overall efficiency and effectiveness in social work writing practices.
• Foundation Center : Grant writing plays a major role in social work, and the Foundation Center offers resources to connect social workers with philanthropic organizations and improve grant writing skills.
• Grammar Girl : Casual and conversational, Grammar Girl offers general writing tips for all types of writers. Most articles highlight common writing mistakes and offer strategies for recognizing and fixing them.
• Council on Foundations : Another major resource for grant writers, the Council on Foundations offers online learning and mentorship services that help social workers develop their grant writing and public policy knowledge.

Take the next step toward your future with online learning.

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148 Social Work Essay Topics

🏆 best essay topics on social work, 👍 good social work research topics & essay examples, 🔎 easy social work research paper topics, ✍️ social work essay topics for college, 💡 simple social work essay ideas, ❓ social work research questions.

• Social Work as a Profession
• Child Labor and Social Worker Interventions
• Multidimensional Theory Applied to Social Work
• Assumptions, Values, Biases in Social Work
• A Social Worker’s Interview and Reflection
• Is Social Worker a Profession?
• Social Work Theory for a Molested Child
• Social Work in Mental Health Settings Social workers are regarded as highly trained individuals working closely to foster the standard of life and the well-being of other people through crisis intervention.
• The Use of Self in Social Work In the following paper, I will discuss the use of self during my field education experience and describe any potential boundary challenges at my placement agency.
• Effective Interviewing Skills of a Social Worker The essay presents interviewing techniques useful for a social worker. It includes the ability to paraphrase, provide an empathetic response, keep eye contact, etc.
• Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice The society being the centerpiece of a civilization must have its own regulations and standards that create order and stability, governed by morals and obligations.
• Professional Judgement and Decision-Making in Social Work Due to the fact that social workers often find themselves in ambiguous and difficult situations, it is important for them to have analytical skills, and a readiness to make decisions.
• Social Worker in the Field of Child and Family Welfare Responsibility for the well-being of families and children, including in the issue of domestic violence, lies with the state, but a social worker also takes on an important role.
• Research Process in Social Work This paper explores research methods in social work, mainly, quantitative and qualitative research methods, descriptive, exploratory, explanatory and evaluation research methods.
• Main Values in the Work of a Social Worker A notable and defining attribute of social work is the profession’s focus on individual welfare in a social context and the welfare of society.
• Multidisciplinary Team Meeting: A Social Workers’ Role Social workers are involved in activities that are geared towards helping people who have different problems with the aim of enabling them to live comfortable lives.
• Medical Social Work and Teamwork Teams of healthcare professionals could be presented in various forms. They include a consultative approach, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and trans-disciplinary teams.
• Social Work Practice: The Role of Implicit Bias The role of implicit bias in social work practice is predetermined by the unconscious influence of one’s individual prejudices on the character of the interaction with clients.
• Social Worker’ Role Play Exercise This paper reveals personal experience in the framework of role play exercise as a social worker interviewing the patient, its analysis, and the article critique.
• The Role of Faith in Social Work Social workers integrate faith in their profession using models like the latent and coping integration frameworks.
• Object Relations Theory in Social Work Systems The paper states that systems theory is a concept applied in social work to describe how various forces tend to influence behaviors and outcomes.
• Competing Values, Social Work The primary objective of this paper is to discuss competing values and the subsequent tension in Maria’s case.
• Social Work Profession: Principles and Ethics Social work is a knowledge-based profession whose main goal is to improve people’s lives by helping them to adapt to any life situation or challenge.
• Change Process in Social Work Changes within a social work environment could include integration of departments, or organizations, establishing different cultures or implementing technological changes.
• Ethics in Social Work: Addressing Economic Inequality It is imperative to understand the application of core ethical values of social work that are relevant to the identified problem of inequality and explore the challenge.
• Theoretical Perspectives of Social Work In this paper, several theoretical perspectives, practice approaches to them, and consistency with the aspects of social work are the main topics that will be examined.
• Personal Field Education Experience in Social Work The purpose of this paper is to explain the social work interns’ field education experience and discuss the development of professional identity.
• Self‐Concept and Allyship in Social Work The development of social work-associated professional identity is concerned with internalizing the relevant skills and knowledge, values, and social work mission.
• Human Rights and Feminist Perspectives in Social Work This paper aims to review the main principles of human rights in order to understand the connections between the narratives of human rights and feminism.
• Military Social Worker’s Qualities and Skills This essay describes personal and leadership qualities that need to have in the perfect candidate for being a military social worker.
• Ethical Issues in Medical Social Work The dilemma described in this paper lies in avoiding negative social consequences, withholding the client’s parents’ information that is important for life.
• Social Work Skills: Mid-Term Evaluation and Self-Assessment The purpose of this paper is to discuss the results of the mid-term evaluation in terms of social work skills and explain professional growth and action plans for the future.
• Bachelor of Science in Social Work: Self-Reflection The paper states that this education program develops effective communication within the field of study, and social subjects which will be important in a social worker career.
• Social Work Ethics: Issues and Critical Debates The paper is based on a value conflict occurred between a social worker and his mentally ill patient. The conflict is caused by religious diversity and different value systems.
• The Social Workers (NASW) Practice Standards The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) practice standards are a collection of professional rules with specific goals for the various social workers.
• Law Policy and Ethical Setting in Children’s Social Work Organizations, medical and government institutions bestowed with the responsibilities of fostering vulnerable children, should have clear policies on all matters to children.
• Social Work Practice: Work Experience and Career Development The paper tackles having experience in Psychology, Sociology, Social Policy, and Safeguarding all vulnerable people and ensuring a better Social Work Practice.
• Multicultural Competence in Social Work Our self-perception depends on the images, stereotypes, and biases that refer to our racial identities, the expansion of which is crucial for individuals, including social workers.
• Mezzo- and Macro-Levels of Social Work Both mezzo- and macro-level social work can be used to support people that experience various challenges through a broader and comprehensive approach.
• Personality Traits of a Social Worker The paper indicates that there is an interdependent relationship between professional social work practice and problem-solving skills.
• Abortion Policies: History, Current Issues, and Social Workers’ Roles This discussion is aimed at discussing abortion policies with regard to the Constitution, their history, current issues on abortion, and social workers’ roles.
• Social Work Interventions This paper describes the evidence-based practice models applied in correctional facilities and examines how they could be introduced in field placement agencies.
• Assessment of Need and Practice of a Social Worker A social worker helps in managing the cases by linking clients to the relevant agencies, counseling, social research as well as others.
• Vicarious Trauma in Social Workers Increased self-observation enables social workers to identify and track stress, vicarious trauma, and burnout symptoms.
• Human Trafficking in Thailand: Social Work Practice Many generations have come into being and exited this planet, leaving behind a legacy of positive virtues and harmful vices.
• Social Work With Native American Population The Native American or Indigenous population has historically been challenged by severe oppression ever since the European population’s first arrival in the Americas.
• The Issue of Micro-Macro Divide in the Social Work Profession The social work profession is dichotomized by micro and macro practices that aim to promote social equality, eliminate disparities, and increase people’s quality of life.
• Diversity and Cultural Competence in Social Work The example case scenario is focused on a hypothetical situation involving an immigrant individual named Miranda, and she is a heterosexual female who is 27 years old.
• The Role of Social Workers to Meet Client Needs Social workers in psychiatric facilities have several important responsibilities, including completing patient intake and evaluation procedures.
• Personal and Professional Social Work Values In this discussion, attention will be paid to a case when a homosexual teacher is not able to find a well-paid job at local schools and address a social worker for help.
• Social Workers’ Advocacy for Queer Population At the international level, local social workers are not able to introduce significant changes and help LGBTQ people.
• Personal Professional Statement of Social Work: Path, Skills and Future The basis of social work is caring about others – without a desire to help, one cannot fully understand the idea of this job
• Social Work: the Latin American Youth Center This paper will focus on one particular organization, which is the Latin American Youth Center (LAYC), which operates as a non-profit organization.
• Managing Ethics Challenges in Social Work Organizations Managing ethical challenges in social work is effective through the approach including following NOHS standards, and embracing inclusivity in practice.
• Social Work in Groups: The Key Challenges Social work in groups requires a leader to spread their attention to multiple sources without losing connection to a team as a whole.
• The Family Violence Act of 2004 in Social Work Family violence reforms, such as the Family Violence Act of 2004, have raised awareness of the nature and effects of family violence among the general population.
• The Social Work: Eliminating Shame and Stigma The social work encompasses various layers of social systems and, thus, remains crucial in promoting emotional well-being in the population.
• Demographic Groups Comparison in Social Work Comparing different demographics and groups can facilitate the establishment of efficient techniques for combating issues and providing help.
• Social Work Career: Personal Experiences A first person account is the narrative from a particular person’s point of view. Normally, the genre is used for reaching the reader who is likely to contemplate.
• National Social Workers’ Association and Cultural Competence The National Social Workers’ Association organized the Committee on Racial and Ethnic Diversity, which was able to strengthen the organization’s cultural competence.
• Social Work and Eugenics Article by Anastas The story shared in the article Social Work and Eugenics by Anastas (2011) sheds new, disturbing light on the history of social workers in the U.S.
• Social Work Theories: Application to the Knowledge Base Social work is centered on promoting the well-being of people, families, and the community. The practice is driven by theories.
• Social Work and Culture in the Context of the US The lack of cultural awareness is an unacceptable manifestation of ignorance in a country driven by diversity, inclusion, and variety.
• Micro-Practice Social Work to Strengthen Communities The micro-level of social work, referred to as the traditional approach, entails working in close collaboration with individuals and families to strengthen one-on-one support.
• “Patients’ Satisfaction With the Social Work…” by Roberts et al. A study by Roberts et al. in the article “A patients’ satisfaction with the social work service provided at a rehabilitation centre” talks about social workers.
• Social Work Assignment: Gender, Money, and the Charity Organization Society Throughout the history of its development, the sphere of social work has witnessed the work of various contributors dedicated to achieving social equality.
• Mental Status and Spiritual Views in Social Work Mental status examination and biopsychosocial history are among the most critical aspects of learning during conversations between a social worker and a client.
• Diversity in Social Work: Spirituality Concept If one cannot find it in their moral belief to accept others, respecting their beliefs can help in creating a conducive working environment.
• Celebrating Social Work Month with Angelo McClain The present paper analyzes and evaluates the main ideas discussed in the first episode of the NASW’s podcast. The guest is the CEO of the NASW, Angelo McClain.
• National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics One can distinguish two main points in the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) Code of Ethics which makes the performance of any organization effective and profitable.
• Ethical Issues in Social Work With Children This paper reviews the case of 33-year-old Janie, which presents a situation where a social worker needs to make a sensible decision.
• A Social Worker’s Experience and Lessons The experience of a social worker represents a unique amalgamation of research, cross-cultural experiences, and meticulous analysis of provided information.
• Social Worker Challenges Today and the Future of the Planet The paper examines the applicability of the plans of the social workers in the USA and the United Nations in the future, and the similarity and global nature of their tasks.
• Influential Figures in Social Work This paper discusses influential figures in social work, namely, Alice Walker, Jane Addams, Sandra Bernabei, Jane Addams’ approach to migrant and immigrant issues.
• Representation of Social Work Identity Societies in the modern world strive for well-being, find ways of improving life in all its manifestations, and establish the type of relations where tolerance prevails.
• Social Worker Tasks Regarding George Floyd’s Family The work of a social worker for the George Floyd family should include assessment and analysis of the physical and mental health of the family.
• “Documentation in Social Work”: Ways of Maintaining Documentation The article “Documentation in Social Work” describes new standards emerging for the use and storage of information, including patient personal data and ethical principles.
• Joys of Social Work Administration Social workers seek to empower people and communities in their everyday lives. Unfortunately, the field has garnered a reputation for being a noble but dreary profession.
• Ecology of Policy in Social Work Settings Racism is a major social problem that ensures the construction of initiatives based on participation in the policy implementation process.
• Policy Implementation Challenges for Social Workers Sometimes social workers may disagree with the central policy of the higher management, based solely on their own biases and views.
• Policy of Ecology in Social Work Settings The paper analyzes demographic characteristic of Hillsborough Township is diversified due to the convergence of different ethnic group and cultures in the area.
• White Suprematism in Social Work Social services aimed at improving the quality of life of the population, including ethnic minorities, also have racial prejudices, often unintentional.
• Safety Measures of Social Worker in Education Social laborers are in danger of becoming victims due to the character of their work. This is because social workers’ clients often experience psychological issues.
• Assessing as an Important Task of a Social Worker One of the primary tasks of a social worker lies in assessing. It allows to be aware of the atmosphere in the family and enables gathering essential information on each client.
• Social Workers’ Responsibility in Research This paper discusses the obligations and responsibilities of social workers in research and ethical issues in social work research.
• TANF Policy Problems and the Importance of Social Workers The reason for implementation of the TANF Extension Act of 2019 was the end of low-income families’ support in 2018, due to the budget negotiations.
• National Association of Social Workers The paper takes a critical look at the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and highlights Burger’s thoughts on the roles of this association.
• Crisis Intervention of an Effective Social Worker A crisis is a danger because it has the potential of exhausting an individual to a point of serious pathological incidents such as suicide taking place.
• Social Workers’ Contribution to Elevating Welfare Programs Stigma The approach to stigma elimination should be complex, it is essential to involve social workers in helping people deal with the stereotypes they encounter.
• Research Methods for Social Work While conducting social experiments, it is essential to gather accurate data. Several factors may interfere with this process and threaten the credibility of the information.
• Advocating with Policy Makers in Social Work Gun-related incidences directly increase social workers’ burden, exacerbate the current shortage, and hamper efficient service delivery.
• Racism & Privilege Within the Social Work Setting Racism and privilege are not the same, but their relationship cannot be ignored. Racism gave birth to privilege by translating beliefs into actions.
• Spirituality and Social Work Practice Spiritual care should be included in the client’s initial assessment because it has been proven to generate positive health outcomes in primary care.
• Human Behavior and Social Work Theoretical Analysis: Adolescent Aggression This paper aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the theoretical approaches to the problem of violence and deviant behavior overall among young people.
• Social Workers Ethical Issues In a scenario where a colleague believes that a particular subset of clients does not deserve the same attention and care as other groups, several ethical issues arise.
• The Similarities and Differences Between Renal and Cardiac Care Social Work Renal social work and cardiac social work have the two major similarities of requiring a high level of proficiency and being a person with great inner qualities.
• Social Work: Career of Social Worker and Job Opportunities Social work becomes inseparable from the history of humanity. This paper is an analysis of present-day social work as a career.
• Preliminary Self-Appraisal of Social Work Knowledge and Abilities The author of this paper describes the results of assessments, that opened up his strong sides and his weaknesses and call on to focus on studying such aspects as social policy and administrative reports development
• Social Workers’ Effectiveness and Professional Skills The insufficiently high outcomes of social workers’ activities compared with the power of personal, social, economic, and environmental factors may be due to a number of causes.
• Online Education for Clinical Social Work Since the time of its creation and popularization, online learning has attracted the attention of both users and researchers alike.
• Social Worker’s Ethical Dilemma of Confidentiality The patient’s family face communication difficulties after her brain injury. The social worker has no rights to talk about the patient’s case even to her relatives.
• Social Work Values and Ethics Different professions have ethical guidelines that facilitate effective decision-making, but there are times when the professionals face ethical dilemmas.
• Dynamic vs Non-Moving Crisis Theory in Social Work The postulates of the formal theory never change from the perspective of their relation to the world. In this way the theory for explaining iis always the same.
• Quality Interviewing and Case Management in Social Work Case management is to promote the well-being of the client through communication, education, a consultancy. Quality interviewing aims to reduce dependence on external sources.
• Psychological Effects on Social Workers A social worker is a professionally qualified personality who strives for the general well- being of individuals from all lifestyles.
• The Role of a Social Worker: Scott’s Case Scott is a young Russian boy who suffers from autism. He has communication problems with his peers. He has poor social skills and thus unable to interact with fellow students at school.
• A Social Worker’s Reflections on Power, Privilege and Oppression In his A Social Worker’s Reflections on Power, Privilege, and Oppression, Spencer involves the challenges that social workers encounter under oppressive systems of power.
• Social Workers’ Benefits from Stress Management This essay evaluates the benefits for social workers from the stress management. They involve finances, security, personal health, and communities without violence.
• The Social Work Profession Within the United States Military
• Correctional Social Work With Male Prisoners
• Social Work and Practice for an Effective Work Environment
• Motivation and Commitment for the Social Work Profession
• Social Work Intervention With the Disabled and Their Families
• Attachment Theory and Its Effect on Social Work
• Integrating Christian Thought Into Social Work
• General Characteristics of Social Injustice, Racism and Social Work
• Personal and Professional Values in Social Work
• Social Work Analysis for Borderline Personality Disorder
• Analysis of the Basic Principles of Ethics and Values of Social Work
• Different Clients and Different Types of Social Work Practice
• Overview of Cultural Values and Ethics in Social Work
• Anti Oppressive Theory and Practice Social Work
• Forensic Social Work Practice With Immigrants and Refugees
• Social Work Practice With Lesbian Gay and Bisexual People
• Relationship Between Social Work and Government
• Culturally Sensitive Social Work Practice With Arab Clients
• The Six Core Values of Social Work
• Common Sense and Stereotyping in Social Work
• What Are the Theories and Limitations of Social Work?
• How Does Social Work Affect the Prevention and Treatment of Juvenile Delinquency?
• What does the Primary Mission of Social Work as a Professional Means?
• How does Social Work Affect the Lives of Becoming a Social Worker?
• What Are the Purposes of Social Work Research?
• What Makes Social Work Critical in a Community?
• How Can Social Work Help a Neighbor Overcome Financial Difficulties?
• How Can Community Social Work Methods Be Used to Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion in England?
• How Are Social Work Theories Used in Families in Times of Crisis?
• What Are Social Work Interventions?
• How does Social Work Affect the Lives of Vulnerable People?
• What Are the Key Characteristics of Social Work?
• How Does the Social Work Profession Affect American Society?
• How Technology Assisted Social Work Aids Various Social Work Roles?
• Does Singapore Government Care Social Work?
• What Does the Profession of a Social Worker Mean in the United States Armed Forces?
• How do Changing Laws, Policies, and Economical Ideologies Impact Social Work Practice?
• What Are the Prospects for the Sociology and Social Work of the Black American Pioneers?
• How Social Work Became a Socially Needed Profession?
• How Social Work Helps Develop an Effective Social Worker?

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StudyCorgi . "148 Social Work Essay Topics." January 16, 2022. https://studycorgi.com/ideas/social-work-essay-topics/.

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These essay examples and topics on Social Work were carefully selected by the StudyCorgi editorial team. They meet our highest standards in terms of grammar, punctuation, style, and fact accuracy. Please ensure you properly reference the materials if you’re using them to write your assignment.

This essay topic collection was updated on January 9, 2024 .

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• Introduction
• Critical Reflective Writing

by Linda Macdonald and Robin Greene

In the field of Social Work, you may be asked to write in a variety of forms-- research proposals and reports, academic essays, case studies, and reflective writings, for example-- and for a variety of audiences-- for example, your professors, your colleagues, or public agencies. As in any discipline, it is essential to understand the forms of writing common in your field. 

This page is dedicated to the types of writing required in Social Work. While many elements of writing in Social Work overlap with other fields (for example, the basic form of the essay) and are addressed elsewhere in this LibGuide, other forms are particular to Social Work (for example, critical reflective writing). The Writing Centre has tutors familiar with the work in your field. If you need help in addition to what you find here, please contact us.

• Reflective Paper
• Sample paper for Social Work Social Work courses often require writing that combines the use of secondary sources with reflexive writing. This student paper exemplifies many of the qualities of a good paper in Social Work. The assignment was to look at an author and theory, to apply this theory to a particular group, and to reflect on one's own interactions with that group. The sample is annotated, offering comments on the techniques and organisational strategies the writer employs.
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Writing a social work essay: four steps to success

Writing a social work essay: four steps to success by liz davies, senior lecturer, children and families social work, london metropolitan university..

by Liz Davies, senior lecturer, children and families social work, London Metropolitan University .   Make your argument clear from the beginning Students often launch straight into the essay topic without introducing their approach to the essay. It is really important for the marker to understand the student’s rationale in responding to the essay title and to be guided as to how the student intends to address the question. Students often begin an essay with long definitions or historical information without relating these to the essay title. Equally important is a conclusion which relates back to the aims set out in the introduction and demonstrates a progression in thinking achieved through the process of writing the essay. Identify references clearly The marker must be able to identify exactly the source of a reference. Students often include a website without stating the exact webpage. A marker cannot locate a reference on complex websites such as the Department for Education without the detail of the exact page being provided. Similarly, quotations must include the page number so that the marker can find the exact source material. This is particularly important because of the extent of plagiarism and the need for academics to check exactly where the student has gained the information from. Also, students probably do not realise that as lecturers we often like to check a reference for our own interest to develop our knowledge of the subject. Use professional, not colloquial, language Students often use language which is colloquial and as they would speak rather than more professional language – for example, “I got a case of…” rather than “I was allocated the case of…”. Or “I did an interview” rather than “I conducted an interview”. It is important to recognise the distinction between how to communicate verbally and how to write a coherent and professional essay. Provide evidence that you understand social work principles Students often list principles of social work practice without evidencing their understanding of them. For example, they state that social workers must be anti-oppressive and non-judgemental but often give no evidence that they understand the concept or know how to apply it in practice. Lists of principles and standards should be avoided. The marker needs to know that the student has made sense of these concepts and can demonstrate their application. Do you have questions about essays? Get advice from fellow students on CareSpace . Keep up to date with the latest developments in social care Sign up to our daily and weekly emails .

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Purdue Online Writing Lab Purdue OWL® College of Liberal Arts

Social Work Literature Review Guidelines

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This page is brought to you by the OWL at Purdue University. When printing this page, you must include the entire legal notice.

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This handout provides an overview of how to write literature reviews in the field of social work. It provides a list of suggestions and examples.

Literature reviews are designed to do two things: 1) give your readers an overview of sources you have explored while researching a particular topic or idea and 2) demonstrate how your research fits into the larger field of study, in this case, social work.

Unlike annotated bibliographies which are lists of references arranged alphabetically that include the bibliographic citation and a paragraph summary and critique for each source, literature reviews can be incorporated into a research paper or manuscript. You may quote or paraphrase from the sources, and all references to sources should include in-text parenthetical citations with a reference list at the end of the document. Sometimes, however, an instructor may require a separate literature review document and will have specific instructions for completing the assignment.

Below you will find general guidelines to consider when developing a literature review in the field of social work. Because social work is a social science field, you will most likely be required to use APA style. Please see our APA materials for information on creating parenthetical citations and reference lists.

1. Choose a variety of articles that relate to your subject, even if they do not directly answer your research question. You may find articles that loosely relate to the topic, rather than articles that you find using an exact keyword search. At first, you may need to cast a wide net when searching for sources.

For example: If your research question focuses on how people with chronic illnesses are treated in the workplace, you may be able to find some articles that address this specific question. You may also find literature regarding public perception of people with chronic illnesses or analyses of current laws affecting workplace discrimination.

2. Select the most relevant information from the articles as it pertains to your subject and your purpose. Remember, the purpose of the literature review is to demonstrate how your research question fits into a larger field of study.

3. Critically examine the articles. Look at methodology, statistics, results, theoretical framework, the author's purpose, etc. Include controversies when they appear in the articles.

For example: You should look for the strengths and weaknesses of how the author conducted the study. You can also decide whether or not the study is generalizable to other settings or whether the findings relate only to the specific setting of the study. Ask yourself why the author conducted the study and what he/she hoped to gain from the study. Look for inconsistencies in the results, as well.

4. Organize your information in the way that makes most sense. Some literature reviews may begin with a definition or general overview of the topic. Others may focus on another aspect of your topic. Look for themes in the literature or organize by types of study.

For example: Group case studies together, especially if all the case studies have related findings, research questions, or other similarities.

5. Make sure the information relates to your research question/thesis. You may need to explicitly show how the literature relates to the research question; don't assume that the connection is obvious.

6. Check to see that you have done more than simply summarize your sources. Your literature review should include a critical assessment of those sources. For more information, read the Experimental Psychology - Writing a Literature Review handout for questions to think about when reading sources.

7. Be sure to develop questions for further research. Again, you are not simply regurgitating information, but you are assessing and leading your reader to questions of your own, questions and ideas that haven't been explored yet or haven't been addressed in detail by the literature in the field.

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Student voices

Get the student perspective on life at York

• My experience as a Social Work student

19 January 2022 by Charlotte

I have always been the type of person to care about those around me and always wanted a career where I could help people to improve themselves and/or the situation they are in. I felt social work was the perfect career path for me as the whole nature of the job is to support and empower people within society.

What kind of impact do you want to make on people’s lives?

I hope to make a positive, hopefully, life-changing impact on people’s lives. I would like to think that the social worker I become is able to better people’s lives and empower them for the future.

What advice would you give to any A-level or BTEC students about their studies?

When it came to uni, I found it helpful to have an understanding of social work and be able to apply elements of it to my personal life. My advice would be if you can get any work experience or volunteering in then definitely do that – you can reflect on it in your university interviews!

What advice would you give to these students about: a) getting relevant work experience; and b) about developing the right skills and knowledge for social work?

In my opinion, any work experience working with people is beneficial as you come across things that relate to social work every day! But make sure you get work experience in something that interests you. I had mine in a primary school! 

Before I started the degree, I did some wider reading and understanding of what social work involves, as well as understanding the Professional Capabilities Framework (PCF) model and other important frameworks. Many unis put reading lists available online for you to find before starting your degree.

What have I enjoyed the most about the course so far?

In my opinion, the people on my course are what I have enjoyed the most, getting to know each other and our personal life experiences. As well as making new friends and getting to know the supervisors and lecturers. 

Has anything surprised you?

I found the assignment rather enjoyable, which was a shock to me as I hated writing in A level studies. I liked how you are able to apply your learning actively when writing the assignment. As well as researching your answer and learning new things within them.

Has your understanding of social work changed since you started the course and if so, how?

I would say my understanding of social work has changed since the course has begun. Now, I have a wider understanding of the history of social work and how it has changed over the past century within the UK and will continue to change. I would also say my understanding of how social policy impacts social work has changed – I never realised how much social work is dependent on policies.

Read more student stories about studying Social Work at York

About Charlotte

Hi, I'm Charlotte, a 2nd Year Social Work student here at York.

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Social Work and Poverty, Essay Example

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Social work refers to a profession that entails a quest for social justice in order to fully improve the quality of life of the members of a society (Davies & Martin, 2002).  It involves an effort directed towards solving the social problems that members of a society may be facing.  It is founded on the need within a society to fight the problems that are facing it especially poverty.  Social work has grown over the years from its early form where it was viewed as charity to a full profession, which encompasses human development theories as well as social theory in order to be in a position to explore the complex social challenges that face a society.  Through this growth and evolution, social work must utilize its theories to effectively reduce human rights violations such as those found in fiction and non-fiction.  Furthermore, social work and social welfare will continue to need appropriate levels of adjustment and evolution for the further effects of international globalization that greatly impact domestic policies and social issues for all nations.

History of Social Work

Social work dates back to the legalization of the church in Europe by Constantine when the church built hospitals, poorhouses, and orphanages aimed at assisting the less fortunate in the society.  During that time, it was viewed as charity within Europe and was considered to be a responsibility of the church though the empire offered grants to assist running the hospitals, orphanages and poorhouses.  Social work was introduced in America following British settlement, which saw the development of almshouses.  These houses built to offer quarantine facilities in the event that epidemics would occur amongst the population to prevent contamination.

Due to an increase in the population, there grew a drastic increase in the number of people that could not provide for themselves or their families.  These individuals quickly became homeless and this created the need for governmental and social intervention to assist them.  In addition, they also housed the elderly and people with terminal diseases. The first known almshouse was built in Philadelphia in the year 1713 by William Pen and was intended to house only Quakers with a second one being built in 1728 near to the first one.  The almshouses would later become the precursors to modern hospitals as some of these almshouses were later converted into hospitals.

The 19 th century saw the development of the industrial revolution that resulted in massive migrations from the rural areas to urban areas as people looked for jobs in the newly formed industries.  This led to several social problems such as poverty, homelessness, prostitution, and numerous contagious diseases that were brought about by the ever-increasing number of people in the urban areas.  This resulted in more intervention by the church to counter the rise in social problems with numerous churches carrying out missionary efforts, which were characterized by direct relief through the provision of food and evangelism (Germain & Gitterman, 1996).

A new organization was formed during the 1880s known as the settlement movement that was based on the three R’s, which were Research, Residence and Reform.  The movement was focused on the roots of poverty and provided various medical, educational and legal services to help fight the negative effects of poverty.  The immigration movement began to overwhelm American cities and created an even greater population problem through overcrowding and increased poverty.  The resulting overcrowding led to numerous social problems such as homelessness, prostitution as well as diseases.  These problems led to the creation of the New York Infirmary for women and children that was founded by Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell who was the first female doctor in the United States (Axinn & Mark, 2008).  The Hull House was also founded by Jane Adams in 1889 and it became a community service centre that ran a social research program where health professionals carried out social work to alleviate the causes of poor health.  Furthermore, the 20 th century saw the professionalization of social work following the formal training of social workers as nurses.  Garnet Pelton was the first trained social worker who was employed by the Massachusetts General Hospital (Germain & Gitterman, 1996).  Other professional social workers were Dr. Richard Clarke and Ida Canon who were also trained nurses.

Following the professionalization, the economic, social and psychological conditions that accompanied most of the social problems were recognized making it easier for these professionals to work with the afflicted members of the society.  In addition, social workers were now able to work together with nurses and doctors, which resulted in the proper simultaneous management of both the physiological and social health problems of victims.  It was thus discovered that social work was crucial and provided a critical perspective to medicine that had previously been neglected.  Most American hospitals had created social work departments.  This number totaled forty four social work departments in 1911 and later increased to roughly two hundred by 1913 (Axinn & Mark, 2008).  One of the people who led to the professionalization of social work was Dr. Abraham Flexner who argued that social work lacked specialized knowledge as well as specific use of intellectual knowledge.  This forced social workers to be unable to resolve social problems, and this argument resulted in social work focusing more on casework and scientific methods of research (Sowers, et al., 2008).  This movement was culminated by the creation of the American Association of Hospital Social Workers in1918 that focused on increasing the relationship between hospital practice and formal social work education.

Social Work Perspectives

There are four main perspectives involved in social work, which refer to the various ways that it is viewed as a profession.  They are utilized as frameworks that are geared towards assisting clients who are undergoing therapy as well as in other various social work environments.  The first perspective is the feminist perspective, which involves a study of the various stereotypes, beliefs as well as practices that a society holds in respect to gender (Saulnier, 1996).  It is concerned with the feminine characteristics of people and thus endeavors to deal with the patriarchal and andocentric practices that oppress women in the society.

The strengths perspective involves a study of the success of members of a society.  Its main goal is to discover the strengths and resources that individuals within a society are endowed with and how to augment these strengths based on an assumption that no one is aware of the maximum level of an individual’s ability (Saleeby, 1997).  The third perspective is known as the generalist perspective which is a holistic approach that seeks to appreciate clients in a number of levels such as at the individual, family, and societal levels (Kirst-Ashman & Hull, 2001).  It incorporates models that are geared towards understanding the situation that a client is in and then making the necessary interventions to assist.  The fourth perspective is the ecological perspective that is concerned with the relationship that exists between people and their environment.  This perspective explores how the capabilities that these individuals have fit with the resources that their environment provides.

In addition, there are three major levels of professional interventions that are involved in social work.  The first is the macro level, which involves interventions that are geared towards the whole society on a national scale.  The second is the mezzo level, which involves working with small agencies and organizations that work in communities.  The third is the micro level that involves intervention geared towards assisting individuals.  These approaches are very critical to the activities performed within the realm of Social Work.  As the status of the industry continues to evolve, so too much the use of professional intervention levels adjust to the changing times.

The Story of Rose and Welfare Implications

In the book by Wanda Bibb, Rose says, “… I made every dollar count” mentioning the fact that since she actually owned a wringer washer, she did extra ironing and washing (Bibb 39).  This sentence directly shows the Rose’s self-reliance in a simple way.  It also emphasizes that times were difficult and Rose was forced to make each dollar she had count towards providing for herself and her family; she could not afford to waste a single penny.  Even though Rose had battles with the things she could not overcome, she still was focused on the bigger picture.  She stayed firm and was able to realize her own personal values to others as well as her ability to act upon them. By making use of every dollar made, the main hero showed her good judgment and excellent foresight regarding the circumstances she was in.

Social welfare clearly was a necessary addition to Rose’s lifestyle and would have greatly eliminated many of the major painful experiences she had.  One of the most important aspects that Wanda Bibb brings out in her book is the NASW Code of Ethics and issues related to it.  Rose became a victim of these rights violations and it can be argued that she would not have experienced such violations if it would have been for a social welfare system.  When she was having her labor contractions, the doctors advised her that she was not ready yet and that she should return home no matter the pains.  This is a direct representation of the violation of the self-determination right of a person.

Rose experienced suffering due to the lack of information about her rights and the alternatives she had during her pregnancy.  Her decision-making ability was limited based on poor information and the doctor’s directly took advantage of her social ignorance.  Furthermore, the people during the time frame of this story had very few social resources available to assist in being properly educated and informed of their rights.  This case brings out the violation of NASW Code of Ethics because it took place and did not lead to human growth or human fulfillment since “the Code offers a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issues arise” (NASW, n.d.).  Clearly, with an effective intervention of social work initiatives, many of these rights violations and human suffering found in Bibb’s story would not occur otherwise.

Impact of Globalization

Globalization has also become a major component to the advancement or hindrance of the social welfare industry.  As an economic phenomenon, globalization has forced a shift from a world of distinct national economies to a global economy in which production is distributed internationally and finance is able to flow freely and instantly between countries.  Multinational businesses have vast economic powers, while institutional investors and financial gurus such as George Soros are capable of influencing the currency rates, economic policies, and interest rates of individual nation states.  This is clearly illustrated when, in September 1992, the U.K. was forced to leave the European Exchange Rate Mechanism.  The framework of rules within which economic activity takes place is increasingly defined within the international framework of organizations such as the World Trade Organization (WTO), the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and the G7-8 summits.  These international organizations often work together with the regional trading blocs such as the European Union and NAFTA.

Globalization is arguably both a cause and consequence of the information revolution.  It is driven by dramatic improvements in telecommunications, exponential increases in computing power coupled with lower costs, and the development of electronic communications and information networks such as the Internet.  These communications technologies are helping to overcome the barriers of physical distance.  The international interest group Greenpeace is a prime example wherein the Shell Brent Spar case illustrated the ability of such internationally organized groups to successfully exert commercial and political pressure in multiple countries simultaneously.  In turn, social policies affecting individual citizens, such as those surrounding poverty and social welfare, are becoming more sensitive to international influences, especially when highlighted by the global news media.  These social policies are forcing the social welfare industry to take a macro level of intervention approach at an international level.  This is quite unlike any macro intervention approach ever before attempted because the macro level of social work has historically included a nation-wide approach instead of international approach.

Economic interdependence through globalization is narrowing the degree of domestic policy independence available to all governments.  Unilateral action may not be the most effective way to achieve policy goals. Furthermore, many other important policy goals cannot be met by governments acting alone.  Instead, it may be in the best interest of nations to work together to achieve a unified, collection response to the growing economic, social and political problems caused by globalization.  Monetary and fiscal policy decisions can no longer be taken exclusively based on domestic considerations.  Meanwhile, some economists such as Martin Khor (n.d.), director of the Third World Network, believe that free trade within a global market will polarize the poorer countries from the richer nations still further.  This will not only create a greater divide between rich and poor countries, but reduce the ability for a single unified coalition of nations to effectively respond to the social needs of all countries involved.  Therefore, this clearly illustrates the inherent problem of globalization in causing greater international social problems while reducing the ability for nations to effectively respond to them either alone or through an international coalition.

Poverty as a social problem is not likely to end and in fact it might even worsen and move to very severe cases that are not even controllable.  Poverty will continue to affect many people if quick measures and strategies that are real and possible are not put in place.  Basic human rights and necessities must be provided to members of all governments and all societies.  Cultural and religious differences should be placed aside to support an all-inclusive effort to address international social welfare, especially with the growing effects of globalization causing additional havoc for developed and third-world nations.  Nevertheless, it is clear that “social care services should be built upon a genuine partnership of equals, with each making its own distinctive contribution to what should be a single, local care network” (Steele, 2001).  The intervention models must redefine how social workers can effectively intervene in an ever-growing international community.  Currently, the macro approach may be the best model to analyze; however, this model is limited and must evolve along with the views of social workers around the world to provide the best possible services to those individuals that need them without discriminating against country citizenship, political views, economic status or any other discriminatory factor.

Axinn, J. & Mark, J. S. (2008). Social Welfare: A History of the American response to need (7th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson/Allyn and Bacon.

Davies, Martin (2002). The Blackwell Companion of Social Work (2nd ed.).Alden, MA: Blackwell.

Germain, C. & Gitterman, A. (1996). The life model of social work practice. (2nd ed). New York: Columbia Univ. Press.

Khor, M. (n.d.) Voluntary service overseas. Retrieved from http://www.oneworld.org/vso/orbit60/trade/html

Kirst-Ashman, K. & Hull, G. (2001). Generalist practice with organizations and communities, (2nd ed). Belmont, CA: Brooks-Cole.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (n.d.). Code of ethics . Retrieved from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp

Saleeby, D. (1997). The strengths perspective in social work. (2nd ed). Boston: Allyn & Bacon.

Saulnier, C. (1996). Feminist theories and social work . Binghamton, NY: Haworth.

Sowers, K.M. et al. (2008). Comprehensive handbook of Social Work and Social Welfare . Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons.

Steele, L. (12 April 2001). Are Social Work Values Under Threat? Guardian Newspaper. Retrieved from http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2001/apr/12/socialcare

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Read the Code of Ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics is a set of standards that guide the professional conduct of social workers. The 2021 update includes language that addresses the importance of professional self-care. Moreover, revisions to Cultural Competence standard provide more explicit guidance to social workers. All social workers should review the new text and affirm their commitment to abide by the Code of Ethics. Also available in Spanish.

• The first Section, "Preamble," summarizes the social work profession's mission and core values.
• The second section, Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics , provides an overview of the Code's main functions and a brief guide for dealing with ethical issues or dilemmas in social work practice.
• The third section, Ethical Principles , presents broad ethical principles, based on social work's core values, that inform social work practice.
• The final section, Ethical Standards , includes specific ethical standards to guide social workers' conduct and to provide a basis for adjudication.

The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession’s dual focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to, and address problems in living.

Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients. “Clients” is used inclusively to refer to individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are sensitive to cultural and ethnic diversity and strive to end discrimination, oppression, poverty, and other forms of social injustice. These activities may be in the form of direct practice, community organizing, supervision, consultation, administration, advocacy, social and political action, policy development and implementation, education, and research and evaluation. Social workers seek to enhance the capacity of people to address their own needs. Social workers also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals’ needs and social problems.

The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values, embraced by social workers throughout the profession’s history, are the foundation of social work’s unique purpose and perspective:

• social justice
• dignity and worth of the person
• importance of human relationships
• competence.

This constellation of core values reflects what is unique to the social work profession. Core values, and the principles that flow from them, must be balanced within the context and complexity of the human experience.

Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics

Professional ethics are at the core of social work. The profession has an obligation to articulate its basic values, ethical principles, and ethical standards. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth these values, principles, and standards to guide social workers’ conduct. The Code is relevant to all social workers and social work students, regardless of their professional functions, the settings in which they work, or the populations they serve.

The NASW Code of Ethics serves six purposes:

• The Code identifies core values on which social work’s mission is based.
• The Code summarizes broad ethical principles that reflect the profession’s core values and establishes a set of specific ethical standards that should be used to guide social work practice.
• The Code is designed to help social workers identify relevant considerations when professional obligations conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
• The Code provides ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social work profession accountable.
• The Code socializes practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards, and encourages all social workers to engage in self-care, ongoing education, and other activities to ensure their commitment to those same core features of the profession.
• The Code articulates standards that the social work profession itself can use to assess whether social workers have engaged in unethical conduct. NASW has formal procedures to adjudicate ethics complaints filed against its members.* In subscribing to this Code, social workers are required to cooperate in its implementation, participate in NASW adjudication proceedings, and abide by any NASW disciplinary rulings or sanctions based on it.

The Code offers a set of values, principles, and standards to guide decision making and conduct when ethical issues arise. It does not provide a set of rules that prescribe how social workers should act in all situations. Specific applications of the Code must take into account the context in which it is being considered and the possibility of conflicts among the Code’s values, principles, and standards. Ethical responsibilities flow from all human relationships, from the personal and familial to the social and professional.

* For information on the NASW Professional Review Process, see NASW Procedures for Professional Review.

Furthermore, the NASW Code of Ethics does not specify which values, principles, and standards are most important and ought to outweigh others in instances when they conflict. Reasonable differences of opinion can and do exist among social workers with respect to the ways in which values, ethical principles, and ethical standards should be rank ordered when they conflict. Ethical decision making in a given situation must apply the informed judgment of the individual social worker and should also consider how the issues would be judged in a peer review process where the ethical standards of the profession would be applied.

Ethical decision making is a process. In situations when conflicting obligations arise, social workers may be faced with complex ethical dilemmas that have no simple answers. Social workers should take into consideration all the values, principles, and standards in this Code that are relevant to any situation in which ethical judgment is warranted. Social workers’ decisions and actions should be consistent with the spirit as well as the letter of this Code.

In addition to this Code, there are many other sources of information about ethical thinking that may be useful. Social workers should consider ethical theory and principles generally, social work theory and research, laws, regulations, agency policies, and other relevant codes of ethics, recognizing that among codes of ethics social workers should consider the NASW Code of Ethics as their primary source. Social workers also should be aware of the impact on ethical decision making of their clients’ and their own personal values and cultural and religious beliefs and practices. They should be aware of any conflicts between personal and professional values and deal with them responsibly. For additional guidance social workers should consult the relevant literature on professional ethics and ethical decision making and seek appropriate consultation when faced with ethical dilemmas. This may involve consultation with an agency-based or social work organization’s ethics committee, a regulatory body, knowledgeable colleagues, supervisors, or legal counsel.

Instances may arise when social workers’ ethical obligations conflict with agency policies or relevant laws or regulations. When such conflicts occur, social workers must make a responsible effort to resolve the conflict in a manner that is consistent with the values, principles, and standards expressed in this Code. If a reasonable resolution of the conflict does not appear possible, social workers should seek proper consultation before making a decision. The NASW Code of Ethics is to be used by NASW and by individuals, agencies, organizations, and bodies (such as licensing and regulatory boards, professional liability insurance providers, courts of law, agency boards of directors, government agencies, and other professional groups) that choose to adopt it or use it as a frame of reference. Violation of standards in this Code does not automatically imply legal liability or violation of the law.

Such determination can only be made in the context of legal and judicial proceedings. Alleged violations of the Code would be subject to a peer review process. Such processes are generally separate from legal or administrative procedures and insulated from legal review or proceedings to allow the profession to counsel and discipline its own members.

A code of ethics cannot guarantee ethical behavior. Moreover, a code of ethics cannot resolve all ethical issues or disputes or capture the richness and complexity involved in striving to make responsible choices within a moral community. Rather, a code of ethics sets forth values, ethical principles, and ethical standards to which professionals aspire and by which their actions can be judged. Social workers' ethical behavior should result from their personal commitment to engage in ethical practice. The NASW Code of Ethics reflects the commitment of all social workers to uphold the profession’s values and to act ethically. Principles and standards must be applied by individuals of good character who discern moral questions and, in good faith, seek to make reliable ethical judgments.

With growth in the use of communication technology in various aspects of social work practice, social workers need to be aware of the unique challenges that may arise in relation to the maintenance of confidentiality, informed consent, professional boundaries, professional competence, record keeping, and other ethical considerations. In general, all ethical standards in this Code of Ethics are applicable to interactions, relationships, or communications, whether they occur in person or with the use of technology. For the purposes of this Code, “technology-assisted social work services” include any social work services that involve the use of computers, mobile or landline telephones, tablets, video technology, or other electronic or digital technologies; this includes the use of various electronic or digital platforms, such as the Internet, online social media, chat rooms, text messaging, e-mail and emerging digital applications. Technology-assisted social work services encompass all aspects of social work practice, including psychotherapy; individual, family, or group counseling; community organization; administration; advocacy; mediation; education; supervision; research; evaluation; and other social work services. Social workers should keep apprised of emerging technological developments that may be used in social work practice and how various ethical standards apply to them.

Professional self-care is paramount for competent and ethical social work practice. Professional demands, challenging workplace climates, and exposure to trauma warrant that social workers maintain personal and professional health, safety, and integrity. Social work organizations, agencies, and educational institutions are encouraged to promote organizational policies, practices, and materials to support social workers’ self-care.

Ethical Principles

The following broad ethical principles are based on social work’s core values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. These principles set forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire.

Value: Service Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address social problems

Social workers elevate service to others above self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service).

Value: Social Justice Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.

Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers’ social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources; equality of opportunity; and meaningful participation in decision making for all people.

Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person.

Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs. Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients and to the broader society. They seek to resolve conflicts between clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

Value: Importance of Human Relationships Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships.

Social workers understand that relationships between and among people are an important vehicle for change. Social workers engage people as partners in the helping process. Social workers seek to strengthen relationships among people in a purposeful effort to promote, restore, maintain, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, social groups, organizations, and communities.

Value: Integrity Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.

Social workers are continually aware of the profession’s mission, values, ethical principles, and ethical standards and practice in a manner consistent with them. Social workers should take measures to care for themselves professionally and personally. Social workers act honestly and responsibly and promote ethical practices on the part of the organizations with which they are affiliated.

Value: Competence Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise.

Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and skills and to apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the knowledge base of the profession.

Ethical Standards

The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all social workers. These standards concern (1) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to clients, (2) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to colleagues, (3) social workers’ ethical responsibilities in practice settings, (4) social workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals, (5) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the social work profession, and (6) social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the broader society. Some of the standards that follow are enforceable guidelines for professional conduct, and some are aspirational. The extent to which each standard is enforceable is a matter of professional judgment to be exercised by those responsible for reviewing alleged violations of ethical standards.

1. Social Workers' Ethical Responsibilities to Clients >>

2. social workers' ethical responsibilities to colleagues >>, 3. social workers' ethical responsibilities in practice settings >>, 4. social workers' ethical responsibilities as professionals >>, 5. social workers' ethical responsibilities to the social work profession >>, 6. social workers' ethical responsibilities to the broader society >>.

Revised Code of Ethics

• Order a copy of the Code of Ethics
• Order a copy of Código de Ética (Spanish version)

About the Revisions

• 2021 Highlighted Revisions to the Code of Ethics
• Frequently Asked Questions