My placement was based at a not for profit mental health agency, where we provided psycho-social support for people who have experienced mental health difficulties. 18, 197-295. There are several aspects of my being that I can affectively contribute to the social work profession. Learning by Doing: A guide to teaching and learning methods. Identifying assumptions and binary thinking, regardless of how uncomfortable this may be for the practitioner, is crucial and demonstrates reflexivity (Fook, 2012, p.107). Social workers need to be prepared to critically reflect on the theory that they are bringing to practice. The Advantages and Disadvantages of Different Models of Organising Adult Safeguarding. In your role, youll engage with stakeholders and organizations to manage strategy, advocate for positive change and maintain relationships. 3rd ed. All work is written to order. I then moved on to look at how reflection promoted me to engage with theory in practice, in particular in relation to systems theory. Many of the people that we worked with had been subject to section 2 or 3 orders under the Mental Health Act 1983/2007, and were now experiencing aftercare under section 117. Goss, J., 2011. 1st ed. Collingwood, P., Emond, R. and Woodward, R. (2008) The theory circle: A tool for learning and for practice Social Work Education, 27(1), 70-83. However, it soon became clear to me that the fast-paced working environment, where at times paperwork was promoted over practice, meant that reflection could potentially be ignored in favour of bureaucracy and targets (DCruz et al, 2007). 1205-1223. Constructive Social Work. Reflection, and in particular critical reflective practice, forms a key part of this, as social workers are called on to reconsider and reconstruct the dominant social discourse. Source: Reflective Writing. I observed during my early conversations with Alice that she often seemed subdued and that her mood fluctuated unpredictably. Social Work Reflective Essay Although I will discuss my involvement with JK more broadly,I will focus on one particular key working session that we had, where JK was most descriptive about all his concerns and the issues that were effecting him (session A). Williams, C. C., Almeida, M. & Knyahnytska, Y., 2015. Fook J. and Gardner F. (2007) Practising Critical Reflection: A Resource Handbook, Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill. (2010) An Introduction to Applying Social Work Theories and Methods, Maidenhead: Open University Press. Risk assessments are an integral aspect of work with vulnerable people (Parry, 2013). Oppression and discrimination also takes place at a wider level. Change). Knowledge and Skills Statement for Social Workers in Adult Services. 1= A endstream endobj 147 0 obj <>stream Schizophrenia, Socio-Economic Status and the Case for Primary Prevention. Like this article? Reflection The theory base of social work is essential to all the work that we do in practice (Teater, 2010). Nolan, D. & Quinn, N., 2012. Social Work Field in the Time of Corona: Moving Forward Professionally From the Unexpected, A Common Experience: MSW Interns and the Fear of Treating Trauma. Reflective The group members develop feelings of mutual interdependence and a sense of belonging. Dalrymple, J. & Beresford, P., 2000. She played a client By this point, I was able to reflect on my performance, address the negative concerns that needed to be worked on, and highlight my positive attributes and moving toward them. Basingstoke: Palgrave MacMillan. Harlow: Addison Wesley Longman Limited. 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. Trevithick, P. (2012) Social Work Skills: A Practice Handbook, Maidenhead: Open University Press. Example Hall, C. & Slembrouck, S., 2009. Challenging perspectives: Reflexivity as a critical approach to Peer reflection Kemshall, H., Wilkinson, B. This rather simple statement camouflages the multi-layered nature of the exchange which involves an array of subjective attitudes and feelings which are projected onto the communicated information both from the perspective of sender and receiver (Sarangi & Slembrouck, 1996). This involves revisiting your prior experience and knowledge of the topic you are exploring. Three themes are identified: (1) No time for reflection, (2) Fear of reflection, and (3) Too much reflection. Adrian is studying for an MA at Anglia Ruskin University and he was nominated by his lecturer Dr Wendy Coxshall. I understand everything you experience is a teaching moment, good or bad. I would volunteer less and make myself appear less capable and unable to perform the task at hand. As the initial phase of my placement progressed I became increasingly aware of Alices persistent and chronic low self-esteem and her tendency to depressive episodes. Specialist Communication Skills for Social Workers: Focusing on Service Users Needs. In addition to this, Alice also has contact with a psychiatrist and regular medical reviews with her GP. The Analysis & Discussion are the sections where we would typically find critical reflection and evaluation linked to theoretical frameworks or policies. KW\Q>RMFV! Theorizing Social Work Practice. Read, J., 2010. Observations and Reflections on my Through active engagement with reflection, I was able to work with JK using an eclectic theory and knowledge base, but was also careful to note if JK was not comfortable with some aspects of my approach, and adjusted the approach accordingly. Bengtsson-Tops, A., Ericsson, U. This assignment is based on my work with one particular resident who I will refer to using the pseudonym Alice. I recognised that where unequal power dynamics exist in a relationship, it is usually the partner with the most power that benefits most from the interaction (Milner and OByrne, 2002).