SWRK 1000H Lecture Notes - Lecture 5: Problem Solving, Critical Thinking, Personal Boundaries
28 Jun 2018
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The Client-Social Worker Relationship (Chapter 6)
Helping versus social control....
Social control: when the actions of a professional worker, agency or organization are intended to
regulate or restrict the activities or behaviours of a client. The social worker must act in the best
interests of the client.
-Client is usually involuntary – ordered by the court or some other legally mandated agency to
participate in assessment against their will
-Frank from Shameless would be considered to be an involuntary client – most likely aware of his
alcoholism but is not seeking treatment, and would not do so unless he is ordered to by a court
The client in cases of social control is usually involuntary – ordered by the court to participate in
assessment.
Social control is implemented often in child abuse and/or protection cases, criminal justice cases,
or in cases where there are significant mental health issues.
-How do I participate in social control?
-Act in the best interests of the client – usually rehabilitation of some form
-When there are significant mental health issues involved – have to make decisions for an
involuntary client – for example: when they are a danger to themselves or others (inherent dignity
of the person), threatening to commit suicide
Can you think of case examples here?
Two types of involuntary clients:
Mandated: those who have been convicted of a crime, neglected children, or who are forced to seek
treatment due to mental health issues.
-Involuntary client – cannot leave you if they don’t like you or feel as though they are clashing
with you
-Form of social control – no choice whether or not the individual stays with you or not
Case example: Kim and Ann. Ann is an involuntary client because her children were removed without her
permission.... YET becomes a voluntary client because Kim and Ann eventually agree that services will
help with the problems Ann is having. She also becomes willing to pursue solutions with Kim.
Unwilling: seeks help because of pressure from family, social agencies, the police, or other outside
sources. Reluctant to accept services and resists treatment.
-Doesn’t mean mandated from the court
-Reluctant to seek treatment and don’t want to be there, but you are there anyway because of
pressure
-Unwilling doesn’t necessarily have to involve the court, they just do not want to be there
Case example: If Ann was mandated by the court to see Kim, believed that she was targeted unjustly by
the child welfare system and treated unfairly by the court, Ann would be a mandatory unwilling client.
In both cases (even if Ann shifts from mandatory, unwilling -> voluntary, willing), the children are still
the clients. Kim is working on the children’s behalf.
Note on the Hick (2013) text...
Hick (2013) The social work process (p. 98)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
“In the case of involuntary intervention, the social worker may initially rely on information provided by a
teacher, doctor, police officer, or elder in a First Nations Community”
Goals of the social work relationship....
Why might someone see a social worker?
oHave an internal/personal problem – something that’s bothering them
oNo place to live
oPoverty
oCourt mandated
oGuidance
oLooking for resources
oNeed someone to talk to
oChange social policy
oReevaluate systems put in place to help people
oWant social worker to advocate on behalf of an issue
What are some of the goals that might be outlined in a helping relationship?
oGrowth and development
oSetting boundaries
oFill gaps in education
oEmpowerment – helping people come to their own conclusions for helping themselves
oLife plan for change
What are some of the qualities that you think a social worker should have when working in a
helping relationship?
oEmpathy
oEffective communication
oPerspective
oprofessional
oProblem solving
oCritical thinking
oCompetent
oSomeone who listens
oSomeone you’re comfortable with
oNot feeling like they are superior
oNon-judgmental
oSomeone who knows their own boundaries and limits
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Social control: when the actions of a professional worker, agency or organization are intended to regulate or restrict the activities or behaviours of a client. The social worker must act in the best interests of the client. Client is usually involuntary ordered by the court or some other legally mandated agency to participate in assessment against their will. Frank from shameless would be considered to be an involuntary client most likely aware of his alcoholism but is not seeking treatment, and would not do so unless he is ordered to by a court. The client in cases of social control is usually involuntary ordered by the court to participate in assessment. Social control is implemented often in child abuse and/or protection cases, criminal justice cases, or in cases where there are significant mental health issues. Act in the best interests of the client usually rehabilitation of some form.
