Problems commonly encountered by social workers
Read the below vignette that illustrate problems commonly encountered by social workers in Child Welfare-social service agencies. Students will brainstorm, critically think and provide some of the possible intervention strategies generalist social workers might consider to solve the problems involved.
A fifteen-year-old can hardly make it through the morning until he can meet with his dealer and get some crack. He thinks briefly how it didn’t used to be this bad, how he didn’t used to “need” it this much. But he doesn’t want to think about that for very long. It’s too uncomfortable. He rationalizes that life is short and he wants to make the most of it. Besides, all of his friends use drugs, too. He’s no different.
What would you do as the social worker: Begin the case assessment by briefly discussing the referral issue(s)/problem(s)…then address the below.
1. How might a social worker approach this young man regarding his drug use?
2. What questions might you as a social worker ask?
3. How might you encourage this young man to open up to you about his problems?
4. What if the young man won’t say anything?
5. What if the young man expresses hostility or anger at you?
6. What other factors may have contributed to his drug addiction/usage? Explain.
7. What types of resources might be available to help him at the micro and mezzo levels?
8. What types of programs and services at the macro level, if available?
9. What types of programs and services might be developed at the macro level?
