It has been noted that the theory base of social work is dominated by euro-centric discourse, meaning that certain paradigms or perspectives may be excluded unintentionally (Trevethick, 2012). i9-i26. Maidenhead: Open University. Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook. Of particular importance when working with service users who have a dual diagnosis was systems theory, and I found this theory to be particularly important when reflecting on Session A. Healy (2005) has recognised that systems theory have been highly influential on the knowledge base of social work. Developing a Health Inequalities Approach for Mental Health Social Work. Adult safeguarding and the role of housing. Parrish, M., 2014. Social Work: A Critical Approach to Practice, Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook. Although I engage with and explored multiple models of reflection during my placement, the model of reflection that I found most useful was Schons theory of reflection (Schon, 1983; 2002). Thompson, N., 2010. Am I going to be any good at this? The Context of Risk Management in Mental Health Social Work. Supporting Lifelong Learning: Perspectives on Learning. WebSocial workers critically reflect on their practice, use analysis, apply professional judgement and reasoned discernment. Taking a postmodern perspective that conceptualises the body as the site of power relations (Foucalt, 1977) leads to an understanding that the body is fundamentally implicated in mechanisms of domination and control. (Tangenburg & Kemp, 2002). Working with Risk. London: HMSO. WebSocial workers also understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and recognize the extent to which a cultures structures and values, including social, economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create privilege and power. This week I met with a social worker at Cherry Health which is located a few blocks from Heart of the City. Knott, C. and Spafford, J. In this reflective essay, I have explored my practice setting in relation to a particular case study. Towards a Biopsychosociopolitical Frame for Recovery in the Context of Mental Illness. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. *You can also browse our support articles here >. This involves revisiting your prior experience and knowledge of the topic you are exploring. However, returning to Schon (1983), he notes that reflection takes place within our own understanding and the meaning that we attribute to an event, rather than within the event itself. 1st ed. h27U0Pw/ I exceeded the expectations of my supervisor, and she began assigning me more tasks. This type of situation, with all its complexities and difficulties, is described in the seminal work of Schn (1983) as the swampy lowlands of practice (Schon, 1983). Dalrymple, J. Clement, J., Williams, E. and Waters, C. (1993) The client with substance abuse/mental illness: Mandate for Collaboration Achieves of Psychiatric Nursing, 7(4), 189-196. Rutter, L. & Brown, K., 2012. Safeguarding: A Case for Intelligent Risk Management. Cass, E., 2015. Living in supportive housing for people with serious mental illness: A paradoxical everyday life. Therefore, I found it important to not just reflect on my work and the working environment, but also the process of reflection itself. Jessica Eslinger, MSW Many interns and student workers across various disciplines find themselves struggling to be heard in their field placements. Parker, J. Support from colleagues and supervisors was also invaluable in this process (Ruch, 2002). As noted above, people experiencing problems with addiction tend to have other issues in other areas of their lives (Tober and Raistrick, 2004).I was able incorporate specific applications of systems theory for the service user group I was working throughout my placement, and in particular with JK. Although these moments appeared to be traumatic for Alice she said on many occasions that she wanted to speak about her past. Harvey, C., Killackey, E., Groves, A. The examination of your beliefs, values, attitudes and assumptions forms the foundation of your understanding. Oppression and discrimination also takes place at a wider level. 579-626. Specific guidelines are useful for field educators in encouraging student reflection. There are critics of the way reflection is promoted in current practice environments, with some bemoaning the cult following that has developed around reflection in the social work sphere (Ixer, 1999: 513). What am I most proud of? Foucault M. (1967) Madness and Civilization: A History of Insanity in the Age of Reason, London: Tavistock. For example, part of an encounter with a client/service user that you were involved with; a meeting you were part of as a participant or observer; an activity you were part of for example a group activity or assisting a client in Study for free with our range of university lectures! This relationship-based work (Woodcock Ross, 2011) with Alice highlights the importance of partnership working and emphasises the need to avoid top-down structural models (Hudson, 2015, p.102). However, a judgment will ultimately need to be made as to whether the rights and needs of a vulnerable service user are best served by advocating for Alices wishes or actively encouraging another course of action that is safer for Alice (Kemshall, et al., 2013). San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Schn, D., 1987. Despite the dogged insistence of the dominant medical model discourse, contemporary evidence points to a causal link between social factors and a diagnosis of schizophrenia (Read, 2010). Woodcock Ross, J., 2011. Revisiting the assumptions that I outlined above has helped me to explore how I experienced the initial incident. .HLNq 2Avv%%% w T-?(b`n1 Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. I think that is [an] important [value]. Dedicated to your worth and value as a human being! The strengths perspective allows social workers to assess and identify talents, strengths, and skills within their clients. We're here to answer any questions you have about our services. Lishman, J., 2009. This assignment is based on my work with one particular resident who I will refer to using the pseudonym Alice. Maidenhead: Open University Press. An example could be recognizing that an individual facing housing troubles has a strong support system of family and friends who can help. The Essay Writing ExpertsUK Essay Experts. `pIs3o+& &;`KAarYP/B%,{gZQ"_nt~u\X]Jet{=s(hglWN_. Adopting this process has helped me to identify possible assumptions that I suspect I may have held. I noted this in my journal and tried to think, to be self-aware and to question as a first step towards reflecting on practice (Rutter & Brown, 2012, p. 30). The difficulties Alice experienced at the hostel which culminated in such a troubled state of mind calls into question the place of adult safeguarding both within the organisation and in the wider context. Eventually Alice became homeless, living on the street and addicted to heroin. Holmes, G. and Saleeby, D. (1993) Empowerment, the Medical Model and the Politics of Clienthood, Journal of Progressive Human Services, 4(1), 61-78. A closer critical analysis of the factors and experiences that have shaped Alices life expose the fundamental flaws and prejudices in my misplaced assumptions. Supported housing for adults with psychiatric disabilities: How tenants confront the problem of loneliness. New York:Basic Books. 91-105. Communication Skills in Health and Social Care. Reflection on Group Activities Reflection is equally important in group tasks as in individual tasks. Our regional engagement leads (who are registered social workers), shared their views on peer reflection. Reflection leads students to be curious about the human condition, and to challenge their existing assumptions. Two subjects outlined in the undergraduate social work curriculum could help to increase confidence and the ability to advocate on behalf of clients and ones own capabilities: the strengths perspective and self-reflection. 6-23. Example - Medium reflection Today I spent time with James (client) and his family on the ward. During the course of this exchange Alice disclosed to me that she felt trapped, bullied by a member of staff and other residents, and that she was feeling utterly powerless with no hope of moving on from the hostel. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Knowledge and skills for child and family practitioners, London: HMSO. Parry, I., 2013. WebStudents reflected on each of these as being a part of their growth from social work studentto professional social worker. WebBrookfields areas of reflection can be adapted for social workers and implemented in several areas of field education. Doctoral Student New Zealand Journal of Psychology, 39(2), pp. It has been recognised in literature around theory in practice that overly focusing on theory when working with service users can actually hinder the work being done, as the service user can feel depersonalised (Parker, 2010). The Munro Review of Child Protection, Final Report, A child-centerd system, London: The Stationary Office. 1st ed. In Session A this allowed me to see how JKs addiction and mental health problems were also linked to issues with accommodation, physical health, relationships and employment. The Code of Ethics for Social Work, Birmingham: BASW. JK is a man in his 50s who was born in Nigeria but moved to the UK at a young age. October 2011 I will start by outlining my practice setting, and the details of the particular case study. 43-52. I have a career, not in social work, but I have an opportunity, at 47, to get free schooling. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Tarrell Clark, BSW, is a May 2020 graduate of Stockton University and works with adults with developmental disabilities. Cameron, A., Lart, R., Bostock, L. and Coomber, C. (2012) Factors that promote and hinder joint and integrated working between health and social care services, London: SCIE. Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills: A Practice Handbook, Maidenhead: Open University Press. What qualifies as a critical incident is not rigidly defined but the event should be important or significant in some way to the practitioner and should offer the opportunity for professional learning (Fook & Gardner, 2007, p. 77). For this example reflective log, I will use Gibbs reflective piece to unpick the learning gained. I will then explore my experience of reflection, and how reflective practice supported me to apply theory to practice. more than 1 year ago, The fear of being rejected and incorrect has been with me as long as I can remember. [Online] Available at: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_ data/file/411957/KSS.pdf. When I worked with him, he lived in a housing project that was specifically meant to house ex-offenders. Risk management can be seen as a continuum (Nolan & Quinn, 2012), so whilst service user vulnerabilities must be taken into account when assessing risks there is also a balance to be struck. 145-154. Basingstoke: MacMillan Press Ltd. Payne, M., 2014. Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com. Sarangi, S. & Slembrouck, S., 1996. Lightening: What came as a surprise? WebExample of reflective writing *In some texts the Analysis and Discussion stages will be fused in one paragraph/section; in longer assignments they might be written as two separate sections. hWO8WUiU The Case for Keeping COVID Modifications: Community Care: A Field Education-Based Model For Police Social Work in Rural Communities, Gatekeeping in Social Work Field Education, The Conversation: The ASWB Licensing Exam Pass Rates and Bias. 1174-1191. Savaya, R. & Gardner, F., 2012. 3rd ed. 553-573. I want to be able to help people who need the help. (1993) How we Think: A restatement of the relation of reflective thinking to the education process, Boston: Health Publishing. & Gardner, F., 2007. Reflection was particularly important when making the transition from university learning to the learning experienced in a placement setting. (Brookfield, 1998, p. 197). Many of the service users that we worked with had a dual diagnosis (problems with mental health and addiction). Theorizing Social Work Practice. Read, J., 2010. Kemshall, H., Wilkinson, B. 1st ed. 541-553. The Learning Centre - UNSW, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) 4.0 International License, Identify weaknesses in your understanding, Gain a deeper understanding of course content. In the case of Alice there are three primary agencies involved. Beresford, P. & Wilson, A., 2002. The concept of reflection: is it skill based or values?. If you are not used to being reflective it can be hard to know where to start the process. These questions can also be incorporated into the supervisory conversation, including the process recording, in field placement. 1st ed. Williams, C. C., Almeida, M. & Knyahnytska, Y., 2015. & Beresford, P., 2000. Reflection forms a central part of social work practice and education, and it is particularly important for social workers in placement settings or newly qualified social workers (Dcruz et al, 2007; Parker, 2010). Inequalities in Child Welfare: Towards a New Policy, Research and Action Agenda. Working with Substance Misusers: A Guide to Theory and Practice, London: Routledge. reflective model, Gibbs reflective cycle and Kolb reflective model. Szasz, T. (1961) The Myth of Mental Illness: Foundations of a Theory of Personal Conduct, London: Harper and Row. 207-216. Alices deteriorating mental health led me to conclude that her social worker needed to be informed of the situation. Lam, C. M., Wong, H. & Leung, T. T. F., 2007. The power dynamics are slightly different in a non-statutory setting like I was working in. Ruch, G. (2002) From triangle to spiral: reflective practice in social work education, practice and research, Social Work Education, 21(2), 199-216. However, I believe the key lesson that I take from my professional relationship with Alice is to try and show the same level of astonishing resilience and generosity of spirit that Alice has demonstrated throughout her life to the present day. Boud (1999) describes how reflection can shape a reflective journal in a field seminar. Once I began doing more, I became more confident to speak up. The increasing influence of post-modern theory, which does not promote one paradigm over another, but focuses on the subjective nature of truth, has helped to alleviate these issues in social work to some extent (Fook, 2012). Task: The Assessment Process Is there a schizophrenic language?. For example, she can help the young clients keep guardianship over their children, continue to help administrations, soften the punishment for young convicts, or free them from imprisonment (Rivera-Ayala, 2021). The physical scars on Alices body as a result of these experiences can be understood from a postmodern perspective as embodied manifestations of power and oppression (Tangenburg & Kemp, 2002). The assessment stage typically involves: Collecting, organizing, and interpreting data. Healy, K., 2012. The intersection of Alices gender, her adverse experiences both as a child and as an adult, her diagnosis of schizophrenia and the fact that she has experienced poverty for the entirety of her life has led to oppression and discrimination at multiple levels. Schizophrenia, Socio-Economic Status and the Case for Primary Prevention. I noted the way that Alices social worker handled difficult or emotionally salient passages during interviews (Goss, 2011), particularly the use of silence and the importance of being patient rather than asking superfluous questions to fill uncomfortable pauses (Trevithick, 2012). & Bermea, A. M., 2017. The importance of recognising multiple perspectives and social contexts in a non-linear, fluid and multifaceted way leads to more bottom up practice that in turn empowers marginalised people by recognising and legitimising their experiences and voice (Fook, 2012; Graham, 2017; Parton & OByrne, 2000). University of Kentucky, In this example of a critical reflective log, I will focus on the social work PCF domain 2: Values and Ethics I will also draw on other domains such as values and ethics, rights, justice and economic well-being, critical reflection and analysis, diversity and knowledge. 2nd ed. %PDF-1.6 % Parton, N. & OByrne, P., 2000. 4th ed. 1st ed. Yip (2006) aptly notes that models like those described above are most useful when starting out the reflective process, and I quickly adapted and developed a model of reflection that was most appropriate for me. Field Placement Disruptions: The CIA Approach, Social Work Field Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Scoping Review of the Literature, Closing the Mental Health Treatment Gap Through Field Education: A Call to Action, Understanding the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Social Work Field Placements: A Students Perspective. KW\Q>RMFV! Reflective practice is an essential skill for those working in health and social care, but why is it so vital and how can it be learned? I observed the patience and empathy that Alices social worker demonstrated during the interview process. Change). He had an allocated community psychiatric nurse (CPN) who would visit occasionally, and at times he also met with a psychiatrist. Whilst the idea of partnership suggests equality and collaboration, practitioners should still manage power relations with service users carefully, especially where a lack of confidence inhibits the service user from taking on the responsibility of partnership (Dalrymple & Burke, 2006). JK had a long history of substance misuse and mental health problems. Care and Support Statutory Guidance. Department of Health, 2015. My inexperience, the fact that Alice has a diagnosis of schizophrenia and the gravity of what she was saying all contributed to a feeling of unease. (1985). Piat, M., Sabetti, J. An Unfinished Reflexive Journey: Social Work Students Reflection on their Placement Experiences. I am going back to school for Social Work. In virtually all cases the people that live at the project either have an underlying mental health condition or experience drug or alcohol misuse, often there are a combination of these factors. Both of her parents committed suicide, she was raped and endured physically abusive relationships with two consecutive partners. Client Participation in Managing Social Work Service-An Unfinished Quest. (2010) An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods, Maidenhead: Open University Press. The Journal of Adult Protection, 15(1), pp. This can come from both internal sources (personal reconsideration) and external sources (professional support or research), and this new information can completely re-construct the way that an incident or event is considered, and change the narrative that we are engaged in. It asks the student to consider: How could I improve? 1st ed. McCarthy, T. and Galvani, S. (2004) SCARS: A new model for social work with substance misusePractice, 16(2), 85-97. The other type of reflection Schon notes is reflection-in-action, or reflecting on your actions as you are doing them, and considering issues like best practice throughout the process. Finally take a critical look at my practice, and suggest things that I could have done differently. Reprinting & reuse, The Field Educator is published by the Simmons University School of Social Work. Social Work, 57(2), pp. Furthermore, a social worker uses self-reflection to analyze personal and emotional feelings about a case or situation. This gave me a sense of pride and accomplishment. & Burke, B., 2006. WebSocial workers often need their own psychiatrist first, in order to be the most efficient in their practice. The implementation of The Care Act 2014 introduced new responsibilities and statutory duties on local authorities and partner agencies with an emphasis on moving away from process-driven practice (Cass, 2015). WebI feel I have improved my skill of communication and the power of talk which is an important aspect of social work and to develop my practice and knowledge further during my first year as a qualified social worker I would like to attend training in relation to working with involuntary clients including researching further how to engage service Boud, D., Keogh, R. &Walker, D. Applying the Strengths Perspective to Your Self-Reflection. JK also had a substantial history of criminal activity, which he said became necessary in order to maintain his addiction to certain illicit drugs. & Padgett, D., 2017. I know what I need to do, but doing it regularly is tough. 1st ed. This article aims to demonstrate being reflexive and doing reflexivity through reflection where, within the research, for example, the first author addressed the difference between meanings of research participants perceptions of their experiences and her own interpretations of the meanings. Peer group reflective models including action learning principles also meet the restorative needs of a demanding profession and consequently learning and mutual support to address the emotional demands of social work, reflection and mutual learning are preferred over managerialist models of supervision (Boahen et al, 2021). 1st ed. Schon, D., 1983. Friedli, L., 2009. 840-850. hVmO0+^%] !v6-D%R_P6s6tHh{9'JJ"Di"U@T0.90|aI9auxiA8hp:: \Ih%T1*r|5M^-S/;q-?xg!Y^4r;Na#:yJWkrN7|O_b/\?QeN-W<>W\
