Fields Of Practice

Why have specific 'fields of practice'?

Social welfare, social work & human services are generic professions - skills are adaptable across many contexts.

A number of specialised areas of practice have developed over time to cater for specific groups/populations within our communities and for specific issues or problems.

Specialisation of method/process, knowledge to cater for the needs of 'target' groups

What is a 'field of practice'?

How human services are delivered including:

Policy and legislation relevant to the field of practice or target group

Social changes - past and present - relevant to the needs and issues of the target group / field of practice

Service context - organisations involved in the field / target group

Methods of practice, interventions used

Issue / problem

Primary fields of practice - populations

e.g.

Aged

Children

Youth

Women

People with disabilities

Gay/lesbian/transgender

Men

Primary fields of practice - issues/problems

e.g.

Mental health

Health

Child protection

Adoption

Housing

Income support

Employment

Domestic & family violence

Sexual assault

Addictions

Legal issues

Migration & refugees

Primary fields of practice - processes / methods

e.g.

Social policy

Research

Management & administration

Education

Community work

Counselling

Group work

Mediation

Consultancy

Many issues / populations overlap

Impact of geography - rural & regional services often more generic, less specialised than metropolitan services

Some human experiences are more widespread than others - e.g. mental health issues more evenly spread across populations and locations

Impact of policy & funding arrangements influences services - number, location, activities, etc.

Social welfare, social work, human services - generic skills, adaptability

Most graduates will work in a range of fields and with a range of client groups throughout their career, rather than focus on one area of practice exclusively.

Specialised practice requires practical experience, often further study and professional development

BA (social welfare), BSW, BA/BSW - good generic qualifications giving you foundation skills to work in a range of areas.

Levels of generalist SW practice

International

National

Community

Neighbourhood

Organisation

Group

Family

Individual

An introduction to some fields of practice

Some fields of practice / client groups are covered in later topics in this subject (children & young people, older people, rural Australians, Aboriginal Australians, women)

Other fields of practice / client groups are covered in more depth in HCS103 - Fields of practice.

Health

This is a key topic in HCS103, so for the time being, here is a general overview & introduction:

Health is a universal human need

Ageing population, increased technology, high cost > complex context of practice for SW

SWs work in hospitals, community health settings

Skills in focus - crisis work, short term interventions, loss & grief, discharge issues / community care, medical conditions and social impacts.

Mental health 1

Origins of this field - asylums & institutions

Policies of de-institutionalisation in 1980s

More community-based services

All SWs will work with people with mental health issues at some stage, even if not employed specifically in a mental health service. It is a widespread, generic issue.

20% population affected by mental health issues at some stage of life

Mental health 2

Mental health issues often lead to increased vulnerability to disadvantage

'It is argued that people with mental illness and their families represent one of the most vulnerable and marginalised groups in society, often experiencing breakdown of family and social relationships, loss of income security and poor quality of life' (Bland 2001 cited by Chenoweth & McAuliffe 2005, p.135).

Mental health 3

Mental health - covers a broad range of situations, diagnoses, conditions, etc

Most human services focus on providing support to people with severe & often

...