Domain 1 Professionalism
Identify and behave as a professional social worker, committed to professional development
Professionalism is, will always be at the core of social work practice which I must adhere to according to the professional code of conduct implemented by the Health Care Professional Council (HCPC) and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW). This has enabled me to be more mindful of my own conduct to ensure that I do not bring negative publicity to the reputable name of Addaction or place it into controversy. At the start of my placement, I attended the full two weeks’ induction as a new employee and attended the mandatory training to familiarise myself with the Organisational Policies and Procedures. Such courses included Information Management, Blood Borne Virus, Safeguarding- Children and Adults, Reporting Incidents on Company internal system and Health and Safety. I took responsibility for my learning by taking notes, asking questions for best practice purposes. I have had to regularly apply myself making sure that I follow the guidelines when carrying out risks assessments with service user and not take the information provided in an adverse manner. During meetings, I always introduce myself showing my identification badge (ID) to acknowledge whom I work for, and if I require their consent, I usually acquire it in a written format or unless there is a disability. This is to establish I follow the rules so as to promote and safeguard the reputation of Addaction.
This placement promotes my knowledge of professionalism in the workplace, team meetings, during regular supervision.
I have gained more awareness of how family composition, religious beliefs, environment, experiences and many others contribute to individual’s values and values defines who you are. This placement promotes my awareness of how people could challenge their behaviour to the extent of being detrimental to their well-being- suicidal thoughts. This has helped me to understand that every individual sees things differently and develops coping strategies inversely and some dose not cope at all. As a result, I have been able to develop knowledge on how to judge situations rather than judging the service users. This included when I was able to support a refer client who was having suicidal thoughts because he believed that his parents were not supportive of him when he was young, and he was brought up knowing that drinking and smoking was a cool thing to do. I was able to judge the situation and not being judgmental.
Domain 2 Values and Ethics
Apply social work ethical principles and values to guide professional practice
Addaction provides support for those who use substances within their families as a coping mechanism. I have learnt to treat young people and their families with dignity, without being judgemental of their personal situation but to empathise and have unconditional regard for my young people.
During my practice placement, I was able to recognise that social workers duties can be at times very challenging, and this can place one in an ethical dilemma but with my relevant training sessions, supervision meetings (SM) I was able to put my knowledge of values and ethics into practice. I did not have difficulties in addressing this issue. For instance, when I tried to advocate on behalf of my young person for psychosocial support to help get scheme cards that would enable him get into training and ultimately find a job. My request was not supported by the Early Help Team which are supposed to provide such a request. I tried to make sure that my young person gets into training so that he can be distracted from smoking cannabis and possibly relieve his anxiety issues but did not get any reply from the team because they had their end of year transfer of folders –housekeeping duties to complete first. In due course this was facilitated, and the scheme card was produced just a couple of days late. As a social worker in placement, I promoted my values and ethics by listening to my client and deciphering what their wants and needs are. The fact that I agreed and took their wishes forward to another department made them feel valued, respected as a whole. I adhered to the 1989 Children’s Act when I sought their agreement to share their details with the agency for this purpose (Consent Form).
I referred the service user accordingly following the Company aims and goals. I made sure that I conducted myself ethically, respected their values, rights, decisions on how they want to be supported. I endeavoured to support the service user to access support and to overcome difficulties that arose in the process.
Domain 3 Diversity
Recognise diversity and apply anti-discriminatory and anti-oppressive principles in practice
I have gained more awareness of how various service users have different religious beliefs, culture, disabilities, religion, race, gender, sex, upbringing shapes our identities. In addition, I learnt that one’s environment affects their individual values and defines who they are. Based on this I was able to prevent all forms of discriminatory and oppressive behaviour by treating both clients and colleagues equally. I am bounded by law to respect all persons regardless of their unique differences, promote inclusion, help eradicate marginalisation and promote the best interest of the service users.
During my placement weekly sessions at Addaction, I dealt with various people from different ethnic backgrounds. I had to adapt my verbal and non-verbal; communication styles to suit my client by making them feel welcomed, using emoticons, Google translate and the speech language therapist.
Another example was a young person disclosed to me that he had been caught on CCTV camera kicking down a door. This now resulted in the Metropolitan Police to be called and he was taken in for questioning under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984. He kept insisting that his neighbours were racists, he felt victimised and I had to explain to him that because when he was searched it was later discovered that he was under the influence of Cannabis. I counselled him and carried out the Cannabis Quiz with him highlighting the drugs penalty for supplying and using it which can carry be 7 years or more with a fine to pay. He became more aware of The Drugs Misuse Act 2005 concerning Class, B and C drugs category.
Domain 4 Rights, Justice and Economic Wellbeing
Advance human rights and promote social justice and economic well-being
My awareness coming from an ethnic minority background where one’s rights, economic well-being, justice is not upheld, gives me an advantage, a fuller understanding of what deprivation, poverty, oppression mean.
I understand my role involves advocacy, working in partnership with others to achieve a common goal. In terms of human rights, I adhere to this by making sure that any treatment programme whether 6 weeks or 12 interventions programmed is completed within the agreed relevant time scale, this is agreed upon without any coercion or manipulation, but with their own free will.
Due to my understanding of the 1989 Children’s Act, it was very helpful I know that 14 years old could give consent for his own treatment.
Furthermore, Every Child Matters Agenda which was extracted from the Children Act provides for the economic wellbeing of the child.
I had a young person known as JDS who is 14 years old, and he granted me his permission to post him to the local Charlton Athletic football club as he is deemed capable, have a voice and very competent. This social inclusion has greatly increased his confidence and enabled him to participate in local football matches.
The Care Act 2014 emphasised that the young person’s wellbeing should be the heart of provision. This does not only include economic well-being, but also physical, mental and emotional health. During one of my interventions, I was able to support a service user call British Gas when she received her gas bill to be paid within a specific period. This made her feel extremely distressed and concerned. Therefore, I took the responsibility of making several telephone calls to set up a direct debit with the relevant offices. This support was valued by the service user and the adverse effects of incurring more debts were diffused by the action of the supporting her to set up these payments.
Domain 5 Knowledge
Apply knowledge of social sciences, law and social work practice theory
My work placement depended mostly on good knowledge of theories and company policies. Having a good awareness of the company and its function are crucial elements, especially when conducting assessments. This is because service users need to be knowledgeable about the human right policy and how confidentiality is promoted prior to starting the assessment. I have worked and assessed different clients with varying levels of psychological issues because of crisis, suicidal tendencies, traumas and negative emotions. Before the commencement of any of the assessments, I always ensure that I communicate the company policy regarding confidentiality to service users, which enables the establishment of professional relationships and a good rapport that facilitates effective support and encourages service users to be the centre of the decision-making process.
I made use of Psychosocial theory, together with human growth and development theories to inform my practice, these theories helped me to understand that my client’s behaviour could be due to their social environment. This I did when I linked it to the case of WA because he confirmed his father had drinking problems and smoked cannabis. My awareness of WA dad’s story made me to apply the theory to intervene in WA use of cannabis.
Also, I equally aided my involvement with my service user by using Cognitive Behavioural application. The use of this helped me to achieve the outcome set out at the beginning of treatment with WA, for instance I used it to challenge his negative behaviour and replaced it with heathy ways to cope with stress and anxiety.
Domain 6 Critical reflection and Analysis
Apply critical reflection and analysis to inform and provide a rationale for professional decision-making
I regularly apply Gibbs reflective cycle in my practice. I understand the importance of critical thinking and reasoning to inform my practice to provide an evidence based informed decision. This has helped me to listen actively to service users’ needs, their life stories/narratives in order to obtain information from them, reflect on it to identify their needs and sign post them to available support. I also utilise other sources to test the validity of the information, enable me to get a clearer picture of the reasons of the referral in the first place since external agencies do not always send a comprehensive report of a young person when making a referral to the service. I have to apply creativity in solving and tackling problems by considering a range of options. Such as when my colleague stated she could hardly hear me, I reflected on her comments and improved on my communication skills making sure I spoke louder.
I use my reflective log, regular supervision meetings with my Practice Educator and On-Site Supervisor.
In addition, I use the feedback from my colleagues, supervisors and service users to develop my reflective and analytical skills.
Finally, being able to reflect and analyse a client’s situation in a critical manner has helped me to appreciate and understand the importance of professional values in social work.
Reflection has helped me to improve my research skills, identify ways to assist young people’s needs, ways to encourage them in support to access services and overcome obstacles.
However, I will continue to develop myself in this area by carrying out more critical reflection exercises in my spare time.
Domain 7 Intervention and Skills
Use judgement and authority to intervene with individuals, families and communities to promote independence, provide support and prevent harm, neglect and abuse
In my practice placement, I have a case load which I manage independently. This gave me the opportunity to engage with different age groups who were referred to the service. While working with young people, I have to work alongside their families and other professionals. My communication and interpersonal skills helped me to connect easily with careers, other external agencies and advocates. Such as AA from Children Social Services was working with me during the assessment of SK who moved into the Borough. While engaging with the service user, I used professional judgement and the use of authority to intervene. Firstly, he was very reluctant to attend as stipulated in his Order. I had to send off a warning letter to his parents that the Metropolitan Police will be informed if he did not adhere to the contents of my letter.
I maintained PCF 7 by having a clear understanding of professional boundaries and professional relationship, awareness of this helped me to use my authority appropriately without the infringement of SK’s right based on the power differentials between me as a professional and the young persons as service users.
Based on my intervention, I was proactive and able to secure his full cooperation. I carried an initial and comprehensive risk assessments, motivational interviewing skills which created a rapport between myself and the SK. I was able to discover his love for body image fixation, cooking as well as drawing. During our sessions, I focused on his strength with hobbies, and this made him realise his potential in a positive manner. SK felt valued by recognising that his Care Plan which I drew up consisted of the benefits of his natural talents. He is now looking forward to joining the cookery club and starting art classes.
I also demonstrated the efficient use of IT and writing skills in updating my case notes.
Domain 8 Contexts and organisations
Engage with, inform, and adapt to changing contexts that shape practice. Operate effectively within own organisational frameworks and contribute to the development of services and organisations. Operate effectively within multi-agency and inter-professional settings
Social workers are aware of the importance of working within the organisation’s guidelines and ensuring that they adapt to them. Since I started my work placement with Addaction.
I regularly took account of the legal, operational and policy contexts, whilst proactively engaging with the company. This I did by contributing in team meetings, constructing the service user evaluation form for young persons, setting up meeting room requests (…), sending off letters.
My clientele mostly consisted of persons with multiple needs, I was very proactive and had to engage with multi-agencies to identify, assess, plan and support the needs of young persons in the borough. For instance, I had to liaise with the Youth Offending Team on a number of occasions and I am aware that one of my legal obligations is to follow policy on confidentiality, information sharing by making sure that details of young person are not compromised. I used the initials instead to protect their anonymity in my logs and essay writing.
During one of such observations, I assessed a client and was able to refer her to another agency following the company’s guidelines and she was able to access services that supported her needs.
I was able to work and promote our agency roles when I attended Pre Court-Disposals and Triage Clinics on a rota basis. This I did by promoting our services and was able to secure 2 additional referrals into our service that week.
Also, after both visits, I give feedback to my On-Site Manager.
Domain 9 Professional Leadership
Take responsibility for the professional learning and development of others through supervision, mentoring, assessing, research, teaching, leadership and management
During my placement, I was able to make meaningful contributions in Team meetings which resulted in all team members including students on placement to get their personal mobile phone to enable us all maintain contact with our service users. I also contributed during my fortnightly supervision meetings, organised and booked myself on training programmes such as the Adverse Childhood Experience and Child Sexual Exploitation course.
Throughout my work in placement, I demonstrated professional leadership by taking the lead role when having individual client session with Miss PCM, while giving them unconditional positive regard because it can be seen as oppression if she was not given the opportunity to participate in decision that concerns their lives. I had to liaise with their main carer for a suitable time and day, secure a meeting room for upto1 hour slots.
I also had the opportunity to demonstrate professional leadership by enhancing the learning and development of PCM by using some of the service tools to educate her about the effects of substance misuse to her, her child’s health, and lastly, the implication of being found to be in possession of drugs by the police. I discovered I had to tailor the meeting on a regular basis to suit her and her little baby.
I assisted in working with a substance misuse worker in organising a group work whereby a cross section of the users attended a Focus group sharing their experiences while attending Addaction. I was integral in raising funds for this event by going into Retail Shops and secured 2 boxes of Avon Products to share amongst our guests. I also promoted the course during the weekly sessions, placed the leaflet in strategic positions within the community and I created the evaluation form for this event. I also introduced the guest of the day, interacted with and solicited social media awareness from the youngsters whom attended that day.
