Reflections On The Professional Use Of Self Social Work Essay

Reflections On The Professional Use Of Self neighborly resolve EssayAt the heart of cordial work lies the fundamental legal opinion in human goods, citizenship and kindly justice (Fook, 2002). Indeed, social workers are usually duty-bound to advocate the patterns of em antecedentment through anti-oppressive convention whilst placing the wishes and needs of clients at the centre of delivery (General Social Care Council (GSCC), 2004 Dalrymple and Burke, 2006). however figure is difficult not least because the success of any intervention is entwined with the phenomenological attributes of both clients and practiti unitaryrs (Prynn, 2008). Thus, social work practicians face signifi batht challenges much(prenominal) as identifying what they contribute to a relationship, how this impacts on decisions and what individual and structural power imbalances mould practice (Fook, 2002). censorious practice is a notionual tool which affords practitioners the opportunity to take in transformational practice whilst recognising the value base and social justice agendum of social work (Fook, 2002). This paper willing briefly provide a reference study of an experience I encountered as a practitioner. This will therefore be explored through what Brechin (2000) identifies as the three interrelated domains of critical practice critical analysis, critical reflexiveness and critical action. In doing so it will demonstrate how I grow engaged with my self to identify what I took into practice and the implications this green goddess have in beingness a transformational practitioner.On commencing my role as a project worker within a residential home for young people with behavioural difficulties I was introduced to earth-closet (pseudonym). rear end was fourteen and had a history of anti-social behaviour and a shepherds crook history for burglary and assault although all cases were at least two geezerhood prior. John was in care because of a request from his p arents who no agelong felt they could control his behaviour because his reaction to discipline was often non-compliance and strength. His saddle illustrated him as mischievous, yet comical, with recent signs of improved behaviour. He enjoyed partaking in diverse hobbies however, these were often short-lived with him suitable disinterested very quickly.I worked with John for several months and at a case-review meeting Johns parents certified the panel that he wished to take up encase. His parents supported the idea, as did the Social thespian because it was purpose it may inspire some discipline. I objected because of his criminal conviction of assault. However, the Social proletarian dismissed this by indicating that Johns wishes were important and that our role was to vest him. in spite of my objections it was agreed that John could attend. John soon attended a fistfight club organised and operated by two retired policemen. Approximately one yr later John was convicte d of aggravated burglary with the victim being an elderly woman.The introductory domain of critical practice, critical analysis, is concerned with how practitioners evaluate yard, policies, and knowledge to influence decisions (Brechin, 2000 Glaister, 2008). Further more than, the practitioner becomes conscious of multiple perspectives and the contextual nature of them (Brechin, 2000 Fook, 2002). Chalmers (200322) claims that practitioners who intervene in peoples lives have a responsibility to be communicate by rigorous, transparent, up-to-date evaluations. Yet Sheldon and MacDonald (2009) note the reliance on robust distinguish being available and the practitioners having the time, resources and skill-base to adequately evaluate recite. Indeed, Fook (2002) argues that it is often in the interests of agencies to prevent such approaches as it may lead to increased responsibilities and higher costs.Placing this experience in the context of critical analysis it is unsure at this point what informed the Social histrions knowledge however, it was clear that he wished to respect Johns voice. The Social Worker believed John had personal agency and a fundamental right to aim his own life direction. The GSCC (2004) concurs with the Social Worker in-so-far as practitioners should promote liberty and respect the clients right to take take a chances. The Social Worker, as an agent of the state, was that supported by policies such as article 12 of the linked Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (19904) which stipulates that any child capable of forming his or her own views has the right to express those viewsand this be given due weight. Indeed, his employer has signed up to this convention (Somerset County Council, 2009).However, practitioners also have an obligation to ensure that these risks are managed and incumbent steps are taken to minimise the risk of harm to expediency users or others (GSCC, 2010). I held an alternative view to harbor John , and others, from harm. It is clear that both the Social Worker and I had valid points, and so, being guided by knowledge, policies and theories on their own may military issue in conflicts about what actions to stick to (Banks, 2006).The second domain of critical practice, critical reflexivity, originates from reflective practice and the concept that practitioners learn through experience (Schn, 1983). However, because reflective practice has limited criticalness (Fook and Askeland, 2006) it often fails to point out deeper processes which impact practice (Fook, 2002). Furthermore, reflective practice base result in negative outcomes such as self-doubt or an acceptance of status quos (Eby, 2000). exact reflexivity refers to a practitioner who engages in self-criticism whilst being reflective. The practitioner becomes reflexive in questioning pre-established values, assumptions and prejudices (Taylor and White, 2001) and gains an take ining on how this influences negotiated understandings and interventions whilst working crossways difference (Glaister, 2008 Fook, 2002). Because critical reflexivity permits the practitioner to acknowledge the complex nature of the clients circumstances and their perspectives there is an organic acknowledgement of heathenish and social disparities (Fook, 2002). Indeed, Allport (1978437) concurs and states how practitioners who engage in inwardness are generally slight prejudice, are more tolerant in understanding others, and exhibit a desire for personal autonomy rather than for external, institutional anchorage.Critical reflexivity affords me the opportunity to contemplate on how my preformed values and assumptions influenced my perspective. Thus, I needed to figure the opposition I held to Johns company. As a pre-adolescent child I was bullied in school with a particular individual being prevalent in my memory. This individual attended martial arts which he duly skilful on me. Ultimately, this had a significant im pact on my belief that violence is wrong. Indeed, in relation to John my assumption was that everyone who attended a power sport had the potential to bully. This was hyperbolised by Johns past and thus my opposition to his partaking. Adams (2009) supports my exploration by indicating how our experiences can have an implicit impact on our decisions and in this instance I can identify how my negotiated understanding had become manipulated by my self.The Social Worker adopted a Kantianistic approach by scatty to empower John to make his own life choices. Indeed, the Social Worker wanted to advocate Johns rights rather than impose carers perspectives which is understandable considering the current agenda toward person-centred planning (GSCC, 20100 Kellett, 2009). However, I felt that as professionals there was a confession in adopting utilitarianistic values because the risk of re-engaging in criminal activities was too high. Yet evidently apparent is neither the Social Worker or I re spected each others perspective. However, notably the issues of the Social Workers claims that he wanted to empower John also become apparent. The very notion that the Social Worker wanted to empower John indicates that the Social Worker was actually the one with the power. Yet, the Social Worker has duties and responsibilities beyond the value of empowerment because of his legislated duty to protect John, and others, from harm (Banks, 2006).The final domain, critical action, is concerned with practitioners having a robust skill-base whilst being conscious of its contextual nature. A critical practitioner works across difference to promote empowerment whilst confronting structural oppressions (Brechin, 2000 Eby, 2000). A primary principle of critical practice is the notion that practitioners should be research-minded in understanding the contextual basis of empirical evidence (Shemmings and Shemmings, 2003). Utilisation of the best available evidence is essential to contemporary pra ctice (Sheldon and MacDonald, 2009) and yet despite being a self-evidently a good idea (Trinder, 20003), evidence-based practice has faced rasping opposition because there is a risk that practitioners may abandon reflexivity and personal agency for technical rationality (Taylor and White, 2006 Webb, 2001). However, this view has been adequately challenged by commentators who state that evidence-based practice, which actually means evidence-informed practice (MacDonald, 2003 Chalmers, 2003) has, when scrutinised, the potential to minimise the risk of harm to service users (Chalmers, 2003). Indeed, evidence-informed practice is the critically appraised synthesis of empirical and experiential evidence (Fook, 2002 Sheldon and MacDonald, 2009).In linking this to my experience with John, it becomes clear that I could not wittingly offer any definitive empirical evidence to support my perspective. However, neither could the Social Worker. In this sense both the Social Worker and I failed to be research-minded. Thus, in opposition to anti-evidence-based advocates, this experience indicates how practitioners can make mistakes when performing on instinct alone. Indeed, a brief search for empirical evidence found a longitudinal study by Endersen and Olweus (2005) which identified how participation in power sports for adolescents with a previous history of anti-social behaviours is likely to result in re-engagement. As John had a previous history of theft, this evidence may well have helped me, the Social Worker, and even John, come to a different decision.Critical action also involves the practitioner developing a consciousness of the often hidden imbalances of power between themselves, agencies and the client (Payne, 2005). Critical practice occurs within the context of theory and precondition of critical theories permits me to understand my twist of power and how this influenced my action, or inaction. For example, Foucault was concerned with language and how dis co urse of action can assist professionals to create natural and unchallengeable situations because they are deemed to have knowledge and thus power (Finlay, 200085). Indeed, the Social Worker established, chaired and controlled the case-review meeting. Fook (2002) concurs and argues that professionals utilise societal structures in order to suppress service users. Taking my earlier point regarding the construction of the case-meeting further it is clear that it was designed by adults with no real consideration about what John wanted. Indeed it is hard to understand why John, or an advocate, was not at the meeting. Yet, even if John was permitted to attend, it is highly likely he would have faced oppression by being forced to engage with the hegemonic language of adults which he would not have understood, thus he would in conclusion been oppressed and possibly disempowered (Kehily, 2009). However, Cocker and Allain (2008) contend that service users have the right to take a pro-active role in decision making processes and advert that the role of the practitioner is to ensure that service users are in full informed through the provision of concise information. This clearly did not transpire and thus true empowerment was never apparent.In concluding it is evident a professionals self can impact on the everyday lives of service users and practitioners. As practitioners we all have multiple identities which we take into practice. Not only do these derive from our previous experiences, but also our responsibilities as professionals, agents of the states, as employees and of course as statutory creation created to fulfil a role. Indeed, critical practice assists practitioners highlight how their self has been impacted upon from each of these identities and permits the us to make decisions, on with the service user, that are more likely to produce a more productive, and effective, outcome for all.In engaging in critical practice I have been able to identify significa nt factors which may have contributed to a better outcome. Whether Johns participation in boxing contributed to his re-engagement in criminal activities cannot be realistically measured. However, what is certain is John was disempowered in-so-far as he should have been fully informed. It is clear that none of the three domains of critical practice isolated can work independently, however, the careful and intentional synthesis of values, experiences, evidence and knowledge on with an awareness of structural disadvantage caused by agencies can all have a positive impact on the self and ultimately a practitioners power to challenge practice.I misplaced my power as a morally active practitioner and permitted the Social Worker to make a judgement based on instinct. I could have researched the potential issues of boxing and provided John with more in-depth information in a format he would understand. However, as practitioners we have an obligation to learn from our experiences because a critical practitioner who is engaged with their self is more likely to succeed in becoming a transformational practitioner.