Understanding Social Policy and Welfare in Social Work

Competency #5 Courtney Morgan Campbellsville University SWK 511-83: Foundation Practicum II Jessica Martin 09/21/2023

2 Competency 5 Competency 5 5.1- Social Policy Social workers understand that human right as well as social justice are intervened by policies and how it is implemented at the state, federal, and local levels. Not only is it about human rights and social justice, but it is also just as much about social welfare and services. A social policy that I have noticed within my agency has been all about meeting the needs of each individual that walks through the door. When individuals come into our agency that don’t have insurance to help pay for services, we help to get them signed up for insurance. If someone comes in and we do not have room for them in the correct level of care, we make sure that no matter what they have a safe place to stay. One activity that I have done while being with the agency is helping individuals who don’t have much clothing and need help obtaining some. This goes along with meeting their human need when it comes to their health and wellbeing. Another activity that I have done while being with the agency is helping an individual who came into our services who was intellectually low functioning. I helped this individual by talking with him about the importance of self-care such as different areas of hygiene which goes along with educating the individual to better his health and wellbeing. 5.2- Social welfare and economic policies Social policy is in place to examine as well as improve the lives of individuals within our society. It is in place to address social welfare, social well-being, as well as social injustice. It is vitally important that social workers understand the importance when it comes to social welfare and policies when working in the field. They help individuals and sometimes communities reach

3 Competency 5 their potential by assisting them to face challenges. Some of those challenges could be things such as financial or health concerns. One activity that I have done while being with the agency is helping them to learn things such as coping skills to help them be able to deal with situation’s that ultimately affect their mental health. There are many different coping skills that I have learned throughout my time at the agency to where I can share those with clients when they are struggling. Sometimes they may be struggling with staying in the program, so we may practice playing the tape through or they may be dealing with some anxiety due to being in a new place in which we can practice keeping a journal where they can express all that they are feeling. Another activity that I have done while being with the agency is discussing with clients about how to set boundaries with people that are detrimental to their mental health and progress in their recovery. 5.3- Critical thinking Critical thinking is something that is important for social workers to be able to do, especially in their every day of work. Critical thinking is important at times when doing assessments of individuals to best know what treatment level an individual needs. It is also important when fighting for individuals’ rights and being able to say that they may need a certain type of treatment. One activity that I have done while being with the agency is completing clinical check ins with clients that are in the residential portion of the agency. Assessing how they are doing and being able to use that information for when there is an extension needed from insurance to be able to continue providing them services. Another activity I have done while being with the agency is using critical thinking when situations that arise where staff or other client’s safety may

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4 Competency 5 be in question. Critically thinking of ways to better the situation so that way no one’s treatment is compromised.

Competency 5

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