Assignment

Social Work

Introduction

I am doing my field ED at Walton County Division of Family and Children Services in Georgia where I get to interact with different persons of different interests. I was allocated a number of roles some of which include; interviewing clients for renewal and recertification of benefits Medicaid/ Food stamps, assisting in the preparation for new placement and reviewing services and history of children from the foster care department and finalizing and processing applications.

In my field ED, I have met a number of individuals who I got to serve and interact with. One of my best experience was an encounter with a client two weeks ago who I found to have an intriguing personality. Below is a summary of my interaction with a client.

Process recording

Students name: Shaneka Ratchford Date of Contact: 9/27/2018

Session/contact number: Location of the client interview: Walton County Division of Family and children services

The client was a 36-year-old white woman. She resides in the state of Georgia. I was the only social worker at the institute not busy with a client. I, therefore, attended to this client. She was driven by the desire to make a change in the society, and since she was in no position to do anything in the case presented, she had to seek professional assistance.

Verbatim Dialogue	Assessment of the client	Students impressions/feelings/thoughts/ Reactions	Skills/theory/ conceptual framework used
Social work intern: Good evening? How can I be of assistance?	Smiling	Showing the client to have a seat through gestures (stretching out my hand pointing at the seats).	Non-verbal communication put to use.
Client: Evening. I have been sent here by your supervisor. I have made a number of complaints in relation to mistreatment of a child in foster care along my street of residence and I have received no feedback yet.	While taking a seat. In a distressed state, answers the question.	Attentively listening, while taking some minor notes.	Cognitive behavioral theory. Good listening skills.
Social work intern: How long ago did you make this complaint?	Intuitively thinking	Maintaining eye contact with the client.	Effective engagement with the client.
Client: This was about a month ago, and for the previous one week I have been camping here to at least get a solution.	She seemed to have wandered off for some time as she tried to count using her fingers.	Wondering how this could be the case since the office is never left unattended.	Practice theory.
Social work intern: We are sorry for the delay. We’ll see to it that something has been done.	Nodding her head lightly (up and down movement)	In a smooth apologetic tone, while noting something down.	Social behavioral theory.
Client: Okay. How soon can you, therefore, take a look at this case? The little boy is in a really bad state from all the physical torture and needs urgent medical attention.	She seems not to be satisfied with the response. She feels something should be done ASAP.	In shock due to the situation of the boy.	Systems theory.
Social work intern: The case is now our priority. We will start the required procedure to see through that the boy is in safe hands and receives medical attention as well.	She wore a smile as she heard this.	Glad and happy that she could be of help.	Rational choice theory. Problem-solving skills applied.
Client: Thank you. I appreciate the role you, as an institute, play in Georgia.	Seemed content with the promise of getting something done regarding the issue at hand.	Smiling.	Respecting and appreciating the work of the institute to the society.
Social work intern: Thank you too. It is with such information that we are able to serve the people of Georgia better, improving the society one step at a time.	Smiling.	Grateful.	Effective communication skills generally applied.

Interpretation of the dialogue

The dialogue was a complaint brought forth by a client about a neglected child in foster care. The client was specifically concerned with the health of the child. A social practice theory in close relation to this situation is systems theory. According to Garthwait (2017), systems theory “describes human behavior in terms of complex systems”. In relation to this theory, members of the society are directly involved in resolving a problem. My client, from the dialogue above, was concerned about a member of the community and sought to find help.

My reaction

The situation gained my attention, especially because the boy in foster care was little. Under no circumstance should any individual experience such torture (Laureate Education, 2013). The situation left me gloomy for the rest of the day. I was unable to rest until I received confirmation that the required procedure has started.

Social work practice skills present during the dialogue

As a social worker, it is important to illustrate some practical skills to ensure that we effectively serve our clients. In the dialogue above, I applied a number of social work practice skills. To serve the clients better, I listened effectively and attentively. With the implementation of active listening, I establish trust and respect with my clients. Another skill implemented is effective communication. Interacting with different individuals forces social workers to always be transparent while communicating with them. It was important that I was clear when communicating with my client to ensure that I receive the information he/she intends to pass through (Garthwait, 2017).

References

Garthwait, C. L. (2017). The social work practicum: A guide and workbook for students (7th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

Laureate Education. (Producer). (2013). Legal considerations [Audio file]. Retrieved from https://class.waldenu.edu