The Context of Social Work: The Social Worker's Job Description

by Darlene Albury, LCSW

Earlier in my career as a social worker I spent most of my days worrying over people with complicated problems such as depression, foster care issues, court appointments and getting or taking children from one care situation on to the next. I was in touch with housing issues for the homeless, family reunification (putting them back in connection with their families), drug addiction and all the above mentioned problems that resulted from their use.

I operated in a busy but soulless bureaucracy that struggled to connect to people that worried more about rumors than effective client management. Our stated goal was to provided counseling, advice, and direction for people who society wanted little to do with. Otherwise, they would show up on the news exposing the politicians we really worked for instead of resolving, (hiding from their view) the situations of these tragic lives.

Social workers on their best days, days when the organization/bureaucracy is tolerant enough to help those who are scared, confused and beset by all kinds of problems and disadvantages in their lives, never do much, but suggest strategies to a healthier and happier way of life.

I chose social work because being a social worker I am uplifted by my clients efforts, showing that my work has value. People are in need of better life strategies not sympathy. We have to be familiar with all types of assistance and services for those in need. It requires continuing education to keep abreast of programs, their funding and the power to produce a desired outcome. We have to find better ways to change how social work is received and used.

This has led me to the exploration of online counseling. Now I have the flexibility to really offer strategies that clients can use without regard to the politicians or the bureaucracy that never cared about them anyway. So this is the context of what I did as a social worker.

Now I'm a new kind of social worker – virtual and independent. As my curiosity races through the possibilities of what my new days will teach me, I am eager to both tell you about them and to engage the new clients and see their lives thrive before me. If you have some thoughts on my new venture, I'd love hearing from you.

As a social worker both you and the client have to be prepared for disappointments. Social workers are asked to find an area of concentration, such as criminal justice, gerontology, medical, and clinical/social issues. Social workers face significant educational requirements. Most initial positions which are clerical require only a bachelor's degree in social work BSW or a related field of sociology. Positions which involve psychological recommendations or assessment are positions with more responsibility; a Masters Degree in Social Work is required. All programs require extensive field work and client contact. Licensing and additional certification is required and varies in different states.

As a social worker I have strong instincts to help people. I am a professional trained to talk with people and their families about emotional or physical needs, and to find them support services. As a social worker I know how illness can affect a person's life, I can help with a particular crisis and/or day to day problems with family, school or work. Financial concerns, insurance, and government programs are all areas in which social workers are trained to help. For parents, a social worker can help ease the stress involved in raising children with special needs, and can offer advice, resources, and help with financial and insurance concerns. We also confront issues that stem from the dynamics of how the client relates with others. According to Carl Rogers, “Many interactions of the client are a direct and indirect representation of how they view themselves.” Forming a solid rapport and sense of trust, I am able to guide the client into a healthy and positive relationship. This will prove to be a beneficial foundation in building a new structure of relationships. In order for the client to function in a nurturing and healthy relationship, they must first break down their walls in order to rebuild a stronger structure. I act as a guide to facilitate inner learning, in which many obstacles and blockages will be overcome. There are three characters of building an effective relationship, those being: genuineness, acceptance and understanding. In order for me as a social worker to exhibit a sense of genuineness, I must be able to recognize my own strengths and shortcomings. I must be aware of my feelings and attitudes, which must be openly conveyed to the client. This shows a sense of transparency on my part, thus providing the client with the ability to look deeper within themselves. By being genuine about his or her feelings I am able to establish a more effective relationship with the client. I feel that in addition to being real with the client, I must be accepting of him or her needs. The client's individuality must be maintained unconditionally. As a social worker I need to convey to the client that it is all right to feel and act differently than others. In many cases the client may display a low sense of self or self-worth, in which she or he feels inadequate of his or her condition, behavior or feelings. It is the role of the social worker to instill a sense of security that will encourage the client to establish more accepting relationships. As a social worker I must be able to empathize with the client in order to understand his or her views. I must also be able to view the client as he or she sees him or herself in relation to the world. I must be able to establish a relationship with the client, this union will be supportive as well as a solid foundation for the client to form other healthy relationships. I act as a guide to the client's inner learning and that many blockages and obstacles can be overcome. The client is also empowered to become more self aware as they attempt to accept all others unconditionally, regardless of their shortcomings. The importance of developing a relationship between the client and the social worker is not only about the client's thoughts and problems, but rather an exchange of genuineness acceptance, and understanding. This exchange allows for learning and growth to transpire for both the client and me as a social worker.

Darlene Albury, LCSW