Safety in Field

any client may have the potential to be of danger to social work- ers and practicum students, it is good ro anticipate rhe possibility of heightened emotion, unreguiated behavior, extreme stress, and history of violence. In order to anticipate possible danger in your praclicum, consider the following examples of specific clients who may presenr a threat:

. A client with a yr*ious hktory of violence or threats

. A parent reacting to the remopal of o child from their home

. A client engaging in an illegal act that is discovered by a social worker

. An inpolantory client being transported to a secure facility

. A client being seen in a follow-up visit who is angry about a praious elcounter

. A client with a mental illness involvtngparunoia, delusions, orhallucinotions

. A client snder the ittfluence of substances, which lower in- hibitions

. A client in withdrawal from srbstances, which can lead to violent behavior

. An involuntary client who does not respect or resents the outhoity of pr ofes sionals

. A client with a lack of impulse control

. A client with post-troumatic strcss disoriler experiencing hyperarousal due to perceived threat by a social worker

. A perpetrator of partner violetce who wants to know the w-hereabouts of their partner

. A client who possesses and is not afraid to use weapofls sach asfirearms

In addition to the threat of physicai violence, social workers in some serdngs experience frequent verbal abuse due to the nature of their work and the dients they serve. Because most of these threats do not result in acrLrai violence, social workers may become compla- cent about acrual risk. They may come to view verbal threats as part of thea job, mistakenly assume that their clients are usually bluffing, and consequently fail to take reasonable pre- cautions. Some social workers erroneously beiieve that because they have been trained in basic helping skills, they wili always be able to taik their way out of a dangerous situation. These overly confident workers rnay rnderestiruate the rkk to themselves, beiieve that they do not need special training in how to respond in truiy dangerous situations, and thus put themselves at higher risk It is important that practicum srudents learn to take their personal safery very seriously. They must be made aware of potentially dangerous situa- tions, heiped to identifii such situations themselves, rained in all agency policies ei Assess your understand- regardingviolence prevention, become knowledgeable about how to report nega- { ing of background and tive experiences, supporred when unsure of themselves, and provided with sup- , cgntext by taking this porrive services in the event of a threat or actual form of violence. ' brief quiz'

Chapter 4: Personal Safety 43

Behavior: Use and translate research find- ings to inform and improve practice, policy, and services delivery.

Critical Thinking Question: What does the professional literature tell us about the factors that put social workers at risk for violence by clients?

Behavior: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment and other multidisciplinary theoretical f rameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.

Critical Thinking Question: What aspects of social work practice and the way social agenctes provide services could contribute to stronq emotional reactions by clients?