I have been assigned as a’ backup’ to the therapist and the senior social work intern in my agency
1. Marcia Reed Wilson
I have been assigned as a’ backup’ to the therapist and the senior social work intern in my agency. I am assigned to assist the client with resources and support. As assessments are completed by the senior social work intern and the therapist, I was resistant to literally completing the same forms already completed two times before. Per Kirst-Ashman& Hull(2018), Assessments can involve the individual and personal characteristics and experiences and interactions with people in their immediate environment; peers, social and workgroups. I have since seen that the same assessments are done from three different perspectives and at different times in the client’s experience with the agency is genius. What I get from the client is different from the other two practitioners. We can merge the information from the different vantage points with great success as the different needs are fully addressed individually. It is almost a divide and conquers of the issues. However, each practitioner may get different information from the client depending on where the client is at first assessment contact and how the client may interact with the respective practitioner. I focus on acute needs, but I have insight into the official diagnosis of the client(from the therapist’s notes), and I can monitor the situation and share any information I get that was not in the other’s notes. It is lovely to work as a team. In my remaining time at this agency, I will continue to fully engage in my assessment duties and share with my colleagues who share equally with me to offer the best, most complete experience for the clients we serve.
2.Timica Collins
At my current internship at Mercy House which is a homeless shelter that services homeless adults, I have addressed assessment by asking the clients questions based on their immediate basic needs to help determine the appropriate services that will improve their overall well-being. For example, if a client is trying to obtain a housing voucher, I ask them questions about their income and if they have their legal documents that are required to obtain a housing voucher. The legal documents that are needed to obtain a voucher consist of a birth certificate, social security card, and a state issued identification card.
On the other hand, if a client needs other services than housing, I attempt to link them to those services that will address their basic needs. For example, some clients that I work with could benefit from mental health services and I may refer them to seek mental health services. The ultimate choice to pursue mental health services is the client’s decision and does not force them into a decision. This process respects the client’s self-determination.
While working with clients on my caseload, I use critical reflection which is a process one may identify the assumptions,question them, and develop alternative behaviors (Savaya & Gardner, 2012 ). While working with clients, I always put my personal feelings and views to the side because it is not about my beliefs or opinions. Instead, the focus of the assessment is on what is best for the client.
3. Andrea Griffin
Assessment is the second phase of the planned change process during which information related to the client or client system social functioning is gathered, sorted, and interpreted, and when goals and objectives for an intervention plan are identified (Garthwait, C. L. (2017). This process collects data from the clients to understand the presenting problems, what interventions may be used to refer them to the appropriate services, and what outcomes may be expected.
I currently intern with a school social worker. I have sat in with my field instructor and with my current employer to complete an assessment. First, I introduce myself, make sure the client feels comfortable enough to trust me, and ask open-ended questions to build a rapport relationship with the client. I show empathy when asking assessment questions so that client will feel respected and understood. Also, collaborating with counselors, school officials & therapists help with the process as well.
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