Section 1: Reasons for Studying Social Work and Key Strengths 

Growing up in a small Nigerian village, I often witnessed my neighbours as well as my family struggling to make ends meet. Therefore, the reasons why I choose social work are rooted in a deep passion for social justice and advocacy.

Living in an environment characterized by high levels of poverty, I saw people, including myself, occupying the lower end of the economic ladder, struggling with inadequate healthcare, children unable to attend school, and families facing hunger daily.

These experiences, as also enunciated by Ortega‐Galán et al. (2021), have shaped my empathy, and my passion for making a difference in the world.

The foundation for me becoming a social worker was cemented by volunteering at the local shelters and community centers. I became witness to the fact that compassionate intervention could indeed change lives, which strengthened my desire to be a part of this profession.

One of the personal strengths that I hold dearly is Empathy. I have a good ability to understand other people and their conditions and emotions. This skill is relevant to social work because building a relationship with the clients is crucial (Moudatsou et al., 2020). It is easier to intervene when one is able to make individuals feel safe to share their experiences in a safe environment.

Furthermore, the ability to communicate effectively is critical and I am fluent in this area. It is important in relaying detailed information and or key messages to clients and co-workers in a manner that is easily understood (Alston et al., 2018).

This clarity in communication results in good relationships and therefore higher levels of team work.
The other strength that I have is in the area of problem solving skills. I have always been good in evaluating the situation, identifying the causes of an issue and coming up with the solutions. This skill is particularly useful in social work because, as per Moudatsou et al., (2020), most cases are complex and involve getting to know the client and finding an appropriate approach.

Section 2: Role, Mission, and Purpose of Social Work in Contemporary Context

The Australian Association of Social Workers (2020) defines social workers as professionals who use problem solving, negotiation and teaching skills to improve the wellbeing of people. Some of their roles are to eliminate poverty, ensure equal treatment of everyone and address inequality. The functions performed by social workers include case work, crisis intervention, and community organization to assist clients in acquiring required resources and services. Besides, they engage in advocacy, which means that they alter policies to ensure that the targeted vulnerable groups are safeguarded.

For students seeking social work assignment help, understanding these roles and responsibilities is essential for crafting well-informed assignments.

There is also a need for inter-professional relationships in order to be able to deliver comprehensive care to the clients.
According to Chenoweth & McAuliffe (2021), the mission of social work is to promote the well-being of individuals, families, and communities, and to address the root causes of social injustice, poverty, and oppression.

This mission is based on the principles of social justice, human rights, and recognition of the value and worth of every individual. Social workers work towards helping individuals and communities become stronger and make positive changes. This mission is driven by ethical principles that focus on people and relationship-based perspective and strengths. Cultural competence is also important since clients come from different cultural backgrounds and social workers should respect this aspect.

The broad purpose of social work, as per the Australian Association of Social Workers (2013) is to facilitate social change and development, work on issues affecting human interactions, and help individuals to gain control over their lives.

Hence, social work seeks to eliminate social barriers and injustices in an effort to foster equity in society. Social workers intervene with individuals to offer them guidance, assistance, and representation to overcome personal difficulties and obtain the required assistance. For families, they provide mediation, therapy and education in order to create healthier family environment and better support systems. In communities, social workers participate in the organizing processes, create programs, and fight for changes that will benefit the community members.

Social work takes place in a context of change and dynamism. Technology is becoming more involved, offering both the promise and the threat. For example, telehealth services have increased the availability of care but have issues concerning privacy and technology disparities (Ortega et al., 2020). These are some of the developments that social workers have to embrace to ensure that they are relevant and efficient.

Challenges include issues of social justice and equity, including those arising from economic disparities, racism, and health issues like the COVID-19 pandemic. Social workers are actively involved as frontline service providers and policy advocates to address these effects (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2020). Also, due to the rising awareness of mental health disorders, there is a need for more social workers who are trained in mental health social work.

The field is also gradually becoming more interdisciplinary. Social workers now practice with other professionals from health, education and criminal justice fields, thus improving the efficacy of interventions and well-being (Germain & Knight, 2020). This integrated model is essential in meeting the complex needs of clients and the society at large.

Section 3: Analysis of Key Values and Personal Intersection

The two key values of the social work profession are social justice and reverence for dignity and worth of the person (Becker, 2021). Social justice means that social workers must fight against oppression and discrimination and fight for equal rights for all especially the oppressed. It is essential because it is at the heart of the profession’s advocacy for change and the quest for a better world. The dignity and worth of the person is just as significant. It states that all human beings should be respected, valued, and should be treated with kindness. This principle assists the social workers to be able to work with the clients without prejudice and appreciate their differences.

Social justice impacts on social work ethics by making the focus on justice and fairness both clear and persistent. For example, social workers might get involved in policy advocacy and analysis, mobilization of communities or delivery of services in combating poverty, prejudice, or restricted access to health facilities (Alston et al., 2018). Such actions are not only providing temporary relief but are making long lasting changes in the system for the benefit of the society in large.

The principle of dignity and worth of the person ensures that every client is respected and valued as a person. It affects ethical practice in that it requires client autonomy and privacy. In practice, this entails listening to clients, respecting their autonomy, and maintaining their confidentiality. Consequences of compliance with this value include improved client self-esteem, increased participation in the care process, and improved therapeutic outcomes.

My personal and cultural values include social justice, dignity, and worth of the person. The desire for passion in equity and fairness is in line with the principle of social justice. I have grown up in a multicultural neighbourhood, and thus, I saw how social injustice affects people and wanted to be a voice for the voiceless. This personal value of fairness is congruent with the social work profession’s purpose to advocate for social justice.

The concept of dignity and worth of the person is in harmony with my understanding of the principle of the inherent worth and dignity of every person (Germain & Knight, 2020). In my culture, people are expected to respect everybody no matter their status in society. It influences how I perceive people and engage with them, guaranteeing that I am courteous to everyone.

For example, during my volunteer work at a homeless shelter, I was careful to hear every individual’s story and respect their feelings and opinions. This way not only trust was created but also people were encouraged to make some changes in their lives.

However, it is important to note that personal values can sometimes clash with professional values. My personal need to assist all people at the moment can interfere with the organizational need to address cases based on their urgency and capacity. It is a constant process of thinking about how to be empathetic and also realistically manage the situation.

The compatibility between my personal values and the key social work values will play a major role in determining my practice. The understanding of social justice will ensure that I am not only able to assist individual clients but also engage in advocacy and community work that seeks to change the system. This dual focus guarantees that my practice is relevant to the current situation and addresses the societal problems (Moudatsou et al., 2020).

As for the expected challenges, there is a risk of losing impartiality while at the same time being passionate about social justice. This can be mentally draining as one is always dealing with the injustices of the world and fighting for change (Chenoweth & McAuliffe, 2021). In response to this, I will ensure that I engage in self-care measures and seek supervision from other professionals. These measures will assist me in sustaining my health and ensuring that I am able to continue to support my clients effectively.

Another difficulty is the conflict between self-interest and duties. For example, having the desire to assist all people right now may cause certain expectations and, consequently, disappointment. To address this, I will engage in reflective practice, constantly evaluating my practice and making necessary changes to meet the standards of practice and the needs of my clients.
 

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References

Alston, S., McCurdy, & McKinnon, J. (eds.). (2018). Social work fields of practice. (3rd ed.) Oxford University Press.
Australian Association of Social Workers. (2013). Practice standards. https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aasw/ethics-standards/practice-standards/ 
Australian Association of Social Workers. (2020, November). Australian Association of Social Workers code of ethics. https://www.aasw.asn.au/about-aaswiethics-standards/code-of-ethics/ 
Becker, A. (2021). Human dignity through action: Transformative human rights education and social work. Journal of human rights and social work, 6(3), 173-182. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41134-020-00160-y 
Chenoweth, L., & McAuliffe, D. (2021). The road to social work and human service practice (6th ed.). Cengage Learning Australia.
Germain, C., & Knight, C. (2020). The life model of social work practice: Advances in theory and practice. Columbia University Press.
Moudatsou, M., Stavropoulou, A., Philalithis, A., & Koukouli, S. (2020, January). The role of empathy in health and social care professionals. In Healthcare (Vol. 8, No. 1, p. 26). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare8010026 
Ortega, G., Rodriguez, J. A., Maurer, L. R., Witt, E. E., Perez, N., Reich, A., & Bates, D. W. (2020). Telemedicine, COVID-19, and disparities: policy implications. Health policy and Technology, 9(3), 368-371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlpt.2020.08.001 
Ortega‐Galán, Á. M., Ruiz‐Fernández, M. D., & Ortíz‐Amo, R. (2021). Compassion and empathy in community social workers: A qualitative study in Spain. Health & Social Care in the Community, 29(5), 1349-1358. https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.13175