Social Workers: Promoting Well-Being and Advocating for Change - Essay Sample

Introduction

Social workers play an indispensable role in society by ensuring that they not only focus on promoting the well-being of human beings but also assist them in meeting their basic needs. Thus, social workers must engage in policy advocacy to ensure that the political arena will enact rules and regulations that will provide sustainable solutions to the numerous challenges that affect the different vulnerable groups in the community. The following discussion will represent a reflection of what I have learned on policy advocacy over this course. The discussion will also touch on how the NASW Code of Ethics and personal values have influenced me to fine-tune my skills concerning my aspirations of working as an advocate in the social work profession.

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Over the course, I have learned that advocacy is a critical element in the social work practice to the extent that is included in the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of ethics as one of the ethical responsibilities of social workers towards the wider society (NASW, 2017). According to NASW (2017), social workers have an ethical obligation to participate in social and political actions to ensure that they significantly contribute to the policy-making process. Surprisingly, most of the social workers help the disadvantaged and oppressed interest groups at the local and community levels while being outside the political domain because they are politically inactive. Therefore, I have realized over the course that social work professionals have the ethical obligation to participate in policy advocacy as mandated by the NASW code of ethics. This is to facilitate the making of policies that will assist the disadvantaged groups in the society to meet their basic needs as well as addressing social injustices they face.

Nonetheless, my values and those explained by the NASW code of ethics have much helped me in understanding how a social work advocate should make informed decisions, even when faced with ethical dilemmas. I have acknowledged that when a social worker is participating in policy advocacy, he or she must hold and act within the standards of conduct, values, and principles enshrined in the NASW code of ethics. The interests of the marginalized groups or the clients at large should supersede those of the advocate. Consequently, covering the NASW code of ethics has honed my skills as a potential advocate by equipping me with the relevant ethical values and principles which I should observe and follow when performing the professional duties such as policy advocacy.

One of the long-term takeaways from this course is that social workers who want to influence the process of policymaking must be conscious of and understanding the fundamental procedures and processes involved in developing social policies and establishing social initiatives that are essential in helping the vulnerable and marginalized groups (Pervova, Grigoreva, Kelasev, & Smirnova, 2016). Therefore, I have understood that as a potential advocate, I must be well-informed about the different vital processes involved, the various access points to these procedures and processes, and the available choices of participating and influencing the policy-making process even in the political paradigm.

Furthermore, this course has made to understand that there exist numerous avenues which social worker advocates can utilize to play a vital role in the policymaking process. For instance, as an advocate of social work practice, one can run for an elective post in the political offices so that he or she will initiate change through policy making while in the political circle. An advocate who is elected in a political is well-positioned to introduce and facilitate the implementation of favorable legislations at all levels of governments that will be of great significance in facilitating sustainable, equal access of resources and improved social justice systems among the disadvantaged groups (Chibonore, & Chikadzi, 2017). Also, a social work advocate can volunteer to participate in different meetings or even participate in activities that involve matters to do with policy advocacy (Williams, Phillips, & Koyama, 2018).

Also, there are other ways in which a social worker advocate can become politically active even at the macro-level. The advocate can write letters, call, visit, or plan for meetings with the legislators at different levels of government and convincing them on the importance of enacting policies that can improve the state of the vulnerable individuals and marginalized groups (Williams, Phillips, & Koyama, 2018). Also, the advocates for social work practice can fund the campaign of their colleagues who are running for elective positions in the governmental offices. This will ensure that their needs and those of the clients they serve will be spearheaded by a person who understands the challenges eroding the social work profession and its professionals. With such insights on how an advocate can become politically active, I have learned that I must start participating in politics by joining the relevant professional and legal agencies such as Social Policy Advocacy and Professional Advocacy, among others (Williams, Phillips, & Koyama, 2018).

Substantially, the aspect of policy advocacy has been slowing down as most of the social workers rarely want to involve themselves in political activities. However, social workers must understand that they have an ethical obligation to participate in political activities and facilitate policy advocacy in social work practice. Active social work advocates are in a better position to participate in the establishment and execution of laws, which can significantly address considerable problems experienced by vulnerable individuals and disadvantaged groups in society. Additionally, I must recommend that NASW must encourage its members to take part in the political arena; thus, they will play their roles and bring the much-needed change in policy advocacy among the social work professionals.

References

Chibonore, W. C., & Chikadzi, V. (2017). Enablers and barriers faced by social workers in undertaking advocacy in Johannesburg, South Africa. Southern African Journal of Social Work and Social Development, 29(2), 1-19.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW). (2017). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. Retrieved from https://socialwork.sdsu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/NASW-Code-of-Ethics2017.pdf

Pervova, I. L., Grigoreva, I. A., Kelasev, V. N., & Smirnova, A. N. (2016). Eligibility for social services: social policy development in an international context. Sociologia, Problemas e Praticas, (80), 145-171.

Williams, S. D., Phillips, J. M., & Koyama, K. (2018). Nurse advocacy: adopting a health in all policies approach. OJIN: The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 23(3).