Personal Reflection on Social Work Profession

Description

This
assignment asks you to explore the profession of social work by reflecting on
your own ideas and biases as well through the perspectives of an experienced
social worker. Assignment 2 is due upon completion of Module 5.

This
assignment consists of two parts:

Part 1: Articulate and reflect
on your own professional lens.

Part 2: Interview a social
worker who is in practice or has recently practiced social work. You
will not be marked on the quality of your interview
technique but on your analysis of it.

The
resulting paper (Part 1 and Part 2) should be a maximum of 2,500 words.

Be
sure to include your name, the course code, assignment 2, and the date on the
title page so you get credit for your work. Use headers in the body of your
document to make sure all components are clearly identified (course code, your
surname, assignment number, date [day, month, year]). Name your file as
follows: course number_your surname_Assignment2_date. For example, if your name
is Jane Smith name your file:

SOCW2061_JSmith_Assignment2_14June2015

The
assignment assumes you understand the content of chapters and readings covered
so far in this course. Make sure that you clearly answer each of the following
questions, and include a heading that clearly identifies the question or item
that is being answered or addressed. Each response should be written in
sentence and paragraph structure using APA style citations when needed.

Part 1: Articulate and Reflect on Your Own
Professional Lens (15%)

Past Beliefs: What were your past beliefs about the profession
of social work?

Others’ Perspective: How do you think most people define the practice
of social work, and why do you think people hold these beliefs?

Community Services: How do you see social work being provided in
your own community, region, or country? As you walked around your
community (in Module 1, Activity 1E), what biases and
perspectives were you aware of as you saw individuals or groups in need.

Important Values &
Ideology: Describe the values of
social work and ideology that you think are most important to your future
practice. Discuss how your own culture, life experience, world views,
ideology, and personal values will fit into your practice as a social
worker and will affect your interpretation of social work values.

Value Congruence: From the CASW/ACTS Guidelines for
Ethical Practice (in Module 2), which values are consistent
with your values and which may cause a dilemma? Provide examples of how
one or two of these values were applied to situations you have
experienced or are aware of fromthe news or coverage on the Internet.

Role Preparedeness: Which roles within the micro, mezzo, macro systems
do your existing skills and experiences most closely align with. Identify
at least one role that would be a challenge for you, and discuss what
changes you may have to make to feel confident in that role.

Theoretical Bias: From your theoretical repertoire, select the
theory or theories that you think is/are most important for your practice
as a social worker and discuss why you have made the selection(s).

Anti-Oppressive Understanding: Summarize in your own words your understanding
of radical anti-oppressive practice. How would you explain this
perspective to a friend?

Part 2: Interview a Social Worker (5%)

Contact
a social worker in your community to interview for information about the
practice of social work.

We
recommend you choose one of the agencies you identified as you walked around
your community in Module 1, Activity 1E. Contact the agency and
explain that you are a student at Thompson Rivers University and are being
asked to interview a social worker for this assignment. If no one is available
to be interviewed, try another agency in your community. Contact your Open
Learning Faculty Member if you are unable to find a social worker to interview.

In
your paper, provide details about what you learned from the person, including
the following:

What types of practice does
the social worker engage in? What roles does this social worker primarily
perform? What are her or his views on various social issues, and how does
she or he view the future of the profession of social work?

Ask about the values and
ethics, roles, and theoretical perspectives used in their practice. Is
there congruence or divergence between how they were educated (or between
your learning to date) and how social work is practiced in their
community? If possible ask them to provide examples (although ensure that
the examples remain anonymous).

At the end of your assignment,
please

Identify what you learned
through your interview? Did your views or ideas change as a result of
this interview?

List three questions that you
continue to have about the profession of social work and would like to
further explore in terms of understanding the profession. Provide some
explanation of these questions and link them to the ideas, reflection,
and knowledge described in this assignment.