Publications from ODSW Social Insights: Letters by DSW (Vol 1) | 页面 13

Social Work and Volunteerism

people who are disadvantaged and people with personal and intense issues
that require individuals to make personal choices or changes, or to have
systems adapt to them.
Social workers are trained to understand what to observe, how to observe and
interpret dynamics and communication. They also apply theories of change in
working with those affected by the issues to bring about change in thinking,
behaviour and aspiration. Equally critical in social work is the ability to know
when facilitation takes a back seat and protection and courage must be in the
driving seat to safeguard a child abuse victim or self neglect in an old person.
In the words of Eileen Munro, a reader in social policy at the London School
of Economics, the starting point for any social work such as in child welfare is
keen observation and deep understanding that leads through repeated visits,
time and thought that a child is frightened of her father or that a mother has
psychiatric problems.

Helping Others Understand
So the next time you have an opportunity to explain the difference between
social work and volunteerism, try to help others understand the difference
that the training makes. Social work is about gathering insights from deep
observations; skilful and purposeful enquiry and designing interventions. It
often involves working in difficult situations in getting people and in some
instances systems, to see the need for change and to commit to driving them,
knowing the support that they will get. Let others know that the theories that
social workers draw on underpin the interventions that they make in casework,
group work and community development work. Most of all, share how we are
guided by a Code of Practice to ensure safe practice and to safeguard the
professional relationship we have with those whom we work with.

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