Fields Of Practice
Essay by 24 • November 26, 2010 • 1,223 Words (5 Pages) • 1,291 Views
Why have specific 'fields of practice'?
Social welfare, social work & human services are generic professions - skills are adaptable across many contexts.
A number of specialised areas of practice have developed over time to cater for specific groups/populations within our communities and for specific issues or problems.
Specialisation of method/process, knowledge to cater for the needs of 'target' groups
What is a 'field of practice'?
How human services are delivered including:
Policy and legislation relevant to the field of practice or target group
Social changes - past and present - relevant to the needs and issues of the target group / field of practice
Service context - organisations involved in the field / target group
Methods of practice, interventions used
Issue / problem
Primary fields of practice - populations
e.g.
Aged
Children
Youth
Women
People with disabilities
Gay/lesbian/transgender
Men
Primary fields of practice - issues/problems
e.g.
Mental health
Health
Child protection
Adoption
Housing
Income support
Employment
Domestic & family violence
Sexual assault
Addictions
Legal issues
Migration & refugees
Primary fields of practice - processes / methods
e.g.
Social policy
Research
Management & administration
Education
Community work
Counselling
Group work
Mediation
Consultancy
Many issues / populations overlap
Impact of geography - rural & regional services often more generic, less specialised than metropolitan services
Some human experiences are more widespread than others - e.g. mental health issues more evenly spread across populations and locations
Impact of policy & funding arrangements influences services - number, location, activities, etc.
Social welfare, social work, human services - generic skills, adaptability
Most graduates will work in a range of fields and with a range of client groups throughout their career, rather than focus on one area of practice exclusively.
Specialised practice requires practical experience, often further study and professional development
BA (social welfare), BSW, BA/BSW - good generic qualifications giving you foundation skills to work in a range of areas.
Levels of generalist SW practice
International
National
Community
Neighbourhood
Organisation
Group
Family
Individual
An introduction to some fields of practice
Some fields of practice / client groups are covered in later topics in this subject (children & young people, older people, rural Australians, Aboriginal Australians, women)
Other fields of practice / client groups are covered in more depth in HCS103 - Fields of practice.
Health
This is a key topic in HCS103, so for the time being, here is a general overview & introduction:
Health is a universal human need
Ageing population, increased technology, high cost > complex context of practice for SW
SWs work in hospitals, community health settings
Skills in focus - crisis work, short term interventions, loss & grief, discharge issues / community care, medical conditions and social impacts.
Mental health 1
Origins of this field - asylums & institutions
Policies of de-institutionalisation in 1980s
More community-based services
All SWs will work with people with mental health issues at some stage, even if not employed specifically in a mental health service. It is a widespread, generic issue.
20% population affected by mental health issues at some stage of life
Mental health 2
Mental health issues often lead to increased vulnerability to disadvantage
'It is argued that people with mental illness and their families represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society, often experiencing breakdown of family and social relationships, loss of income security and poor quality of life' (Bland 2001 cited by Chenoweth & McAuliffe 2005, p.135).
Mental health 3
Mental health - covers a broad range of situations, diagnoses, conditions, etc
Most human services focus on providing support to people with severe & often
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