SOCIAL WORK MODELS METHODS AND THEORIES INCLUDING SOCIAL WORK Essay

SOCIAL WORK MODELS METHODS AND THEORIES INCLUDING SOCIAL WORK PROCESSES AND THE NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS - Essay Example The field works towards research and practice to improve the quality of life and to the development of the potential of each individual, group and community of a society. Social workers perform interventions through research, policy, community organizing, direct practice and teaching. The Social Work Processes In this given case study, the past life events of the couple, Dorothy and George eventually push them to such a helplessness. The humiliating response of racial unfairness from the close environment, loss and grief of loved daughter, ending hope of having another child, the failure to meet real challenges of life because of the couple ignorance and weaknesses, the tension of financial limitation and another sudden loss of their strength,Sadie; things become difficult and danger stands active – the couple are not able to cope with the things. The condition of the couple demands care and support from other member of the society, a social service intervention through social work activities is in need indeed. Considering the couple’s overall condition, in order to extend a standard and an organised response to the couple, the following process (Social Work, UNESCO) is to apply Assessment: Establishing what are the problems or issues (with the service user and others); Assessment involves assembling full and accurate information about a service user’s circumstances and how these came about. Essential to assessment is participation by the service user and others involved (e.g. family), and continuous consultation with colleagues and workers in other agencies and services when appropriate.The information collected must be accurately recorded in a systematic way to give a clear understanding of needs and a possible plan of action. Deciding on outcomes:Working out with the service user and others what can be achieved within a given time-span; Social work is a goal-directed activity and what matters to service users is a satisfactory outcome. E vidence-based practice draws on research findings, practice wisdom and past experience to identify what works in a given situation. Service user and worker join together to share their experience and expertise and decide what needs to be changed and what are the priorities within a given time scale. Planning: Deciding with the service user and others what needs to be done, in what order, by whom, by when and how; Planning involves reaching a decision on the course of action which seems most likely to achieve the agreed outcomes. The plan should be recorded, specifying the approaches to social work to be used, the persons responsible for carrying out the work and the anticipated time scale. Note that a plan may involve a decision to do nothing. Intervention: Putting agreed plans into action; Carrying out what has been formulated in the planning process and agreed with the service user and other key people involved, using specific approaches to social work. Intervention usually involv es some minor changes to plans as the situation continues to change and additional Information becomes available. Evaluation: Estimating with the service user and others how far and how well outcomes have been achieved; The process is carried out continuously as the action unfolds and in retrospect after it has been completed. It needs to look at outcomes for a range of people involved, which will differ. Outcomes could be examined in terms of the quality of life