professionalism in social work essay

Popular on BASW

Professional Social Work Magazine (PSW)

Viewpoint: what skills are needed for professionalism in social work.

By Fran Wiles and Godfred Boahen

What does professionalism mean in social work, and what does it actually look like? Significant policy changes over the past 18 years have brought us legal protection of the title ‘social worker’, a shift in the educational requirements for social work from diploma-level to degree-level, recognition of the need for national regulation of social workers, and increased membership of the British Association of Social Workers.

Depending on your point of view, these developments can be seen as enhancing professionalism (which, after all, is usually stated as the intention of such policy measures). Alternatively, the increased government control of social work – such as inspections and prescribed procedures - can be interpreted as undermining professional skills, expertise and autonomy.

A contested concept

Professionalism itself, with its traditional implication of elitism, is a contested concept and not universally agreed to be a good thing.

Whatever your perspective, the trend towards the increased fragmentation of social work into a series of distinctive tasks or roles - such as child protection, adult mental health or working with disabled people - potentially diminishes collective professional identity. Our work on this topic has led us to consider social work professionalism as a shared endeavour, with common values, norms and culture, in which - despite initial appearances - we are all engaged together.

Besides conceptualising professionalism as a set of unifying values for social work, we have been exploring what it means in practice. For example, if one is acting in a professional manner as a social worker in a family court setting, what does that mean? What might that ‘look like’ and what skills might be required? And, does professionalism in any context mean the same, look the same or require the same set of skills as conducting research as a social worker, setting up a community housing project or providing counselling and support in the aftermath of a natural disaster (to name just a few examples of the different tasks and activities that, globally, social workers might engage in)?

Key areas of skill

We have identified certain key areas of skill that we consider to be important for autonomous professional practice across all social work roles: self-management; communication; risk and safeguarding; and leadership. These four areas are best thought of as ‘organising themes’ for thinking in a holistic way about professional skills. Self-management, for example, involves many discrete areas of ability such as being alert to professional standards and conduct, or being proactive in one’s own development. These abilities are also needed for successful communication, managing risk and safeguarding. Similarly, being a proficient communicator involves skills and techniques that form the heart of effective leadership and safeguarding.

We believe that professionalism - like the lettering that runs through a stick of rock - can be present in all aspects of routine, everyday social work. Working ‘professionally’ involves having a sound knowledge of, and ability in, key aspects of social work, and then being able to integrate these in everyday practice. Of course, social workers don’t usually do this integration consciously. However, becoming aware of the different elements and how they are being integrated is a key part of professional learning.

We suggest that there are eight key elements that need to be in place to support professionalism in the areas of self-management, communication, risk and safeguarding, and leadership. These are:

• Self-awareness about professional and personal values;
• Appropriate and ethical use of professional power;
• Critical analysis;
• Research mindedness;
• Emotional resilience;
• A sense of professional identity;
• Engaging actively in supervision;
• Continuing professional development.

Examples in practice

To illustrate our argument, let’s consider just two examples. Self-awareness and reflection feature strongly in social workers’ use of communication skills. In addition to being skillful in the general art of communicating, one must have capacity to reflect on the conduct and behaviour consistent with the title ‘social worker’. Professional power can show itself in the words we use to describe people and/or their situations, and the manner in which we communicate with service users. A social worker’s communication skills would be unethically deployed if they knowingly misrepresent service users’ needs, or persuade them to ‘consent’ to plans that the professional knows are not in their best interests.

Likewise, we argue that self-management skills are prerequisite for being professional. It is expected that social workers will exhibit greater autonomy over their work; skillfully manage the emotional demands of their roles; and understand the appropriate conduct expected of professional social workers. Self-management encompasses having the self-motivation to maintain the highest practice and ethical standards. Motivation enables practitioners to attempt difficult tasks and forms the basis for increased self-efficacy. Self-management includes accountability for career progression, and planning one’s own training and development needs.

This is not, of course, to downplay the duties of organisations to train and develop social workers. As a final note, therefore, we want to acknowledge the difficult employment conditions of social workers (at least in England), which can impede professionalism and self-management. Most social workers have high caseloads, less time to engage directly with service users and reduced training budgets. It is essential that the drive to enhance social workers’ professionalism doesn’t exempt organisations from their duty to provide the necessary structures to support professional practice.

Dr Fran Wiles is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at The Open University and Dr Godfred Boahen is Policy and Research Officer at BASW. Their new book ‘Professionalism and Self-Management’, which is part of the ‘Social Work Skills in Practice’ series was published in November 2018.

The authors will hold two workshops on the theme of the book in London and Birmingham on 30 and 31 January with concessionary rates for BASW members. For bookings, please visit: https://www.basw.co.uk/events/professionalism-and-self-management-skills-workshop-london

* This article is published by Professional Social Work magazine  which provides a platform for a range of perspectives across the social work sector. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the British Association of Social Workers

• What social workers do
• People with lived experience
• Regulators & professional registration
• World Social Work Day
• Topics in social work
• Digital editions
• Guidance for contributors
• PSW articles
• Advertising
• Become a social worker
• Returning to social work
• For employers
• Specialisms
• Your tax affairs working through umbrella service companies
• Agency and locum social work
• BASW Student Ambassador Scheme
• Business Support & Engagement Officer
• Membership Engagement Project - BASW Cymru
• PSW magazine Editorial Advisory Board vacancy (Scotland Rep)
• Social Workers’ Educational Trust - trustee vacancies
• Swyddog Cyfathrebu a Materion Cyhoeddus
• Independents’ Committee vacancies
• BASW in Westminster
• General Election 2024
• Relationship-based practice
• Social Work Stands Against Poverty
• Professional working conditions
• Housing & Homelessness
• Previous BASW AGMs
• BASW Council biographies
• BASW and SWU
• Our history
• Special interest, thematic groups and experts
• Homes Not Hospitals
• Social Work in Disasters
• 80-20 campaign
• Review of Children’s Social Care
• Meet the Team
• Mentoring Service | BASW England
• Social Work England
• BASW NI & IASW's associate membership
• BASW NI and Queen’s University Belfast launch affiliate membership
• Cross-Party Group on Social Work (Scotland)
• A National Care Service for Scotland
• Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
• Supporting refugees
• Coalitions & Partnerships
• Get Involved
• Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 1
• Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 2
• Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 3
• Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 4
• Amazing Social Workers profiles: Week 5
• The BASW Social Work Journalism Awards
• Tickets and booking
• About BASW UK conference 2024
• Discounted accomodation
• Social Work Journalism Awards 2024
• Venue information
• IFSW and other international social work organisations
• Influencing social work policy in the Commonwealth
• Invasion of Ukraine | BASW Information Hub
• Feedback, suggestions & complaints
• General Taught Skills Programme
• Student Learning
• Newly Qualified Social Worker Programme
• Practice Educator & Assessor Programme
• Stepping Stones Programme
• Child Protection Masterclass Series
• Expert Insight Series
• Module 1: Introduction to Social Work in Disasters (Online training)
• Module 2: Law, Policy and Best Practice (Social Work In Disasters Training)
• Module 3: Person-centred and research informed practice within a multi-agency context (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
• Module 4: Responding, using theory and self-care (Social Work in Disasters Online Training)
• Overseas Qualified Social Worker (OQSW) Programme
• About the PCF
• Point of entry to training
• Readiness for practice
• End of first placement
• End of last placement
• Newly qualified social worker (ASYE level)
• Social worker
• Experienced social worker
• Advanced social worker
• Strategic social worker
• Let's Talk Social Work Podcast
• National policies
• Learning resources
• Useful resources to support social work capabilities with older people
• An introduction to the Capability Statement
• Autistic adults toolkit introduction
• Feedback tool
• Induction tool
• Introduction to video: Sylvia Stanway - Autistic not broken
• Reflective tool
• The role of the social worker with autistic adults
• Organisational self-assessment tool
• Post-qualifying training programmes
• The Capabilities Statement for Social Work with Autistic Adults
• Introduction
• People with learning disabilities toolkit introduction
• Information sheet
• The Capabilities for Social Work with Adults who have Learning Disability
• Research journals
• BASW bookshop
• BASW Code of Ethics: Launch of 2021 refreshed version webinar
• Practice Educator Professional Standards (PEPS)
• Quality Assurance in Practice Learning (QAPL)
• Advice & representation
• Social Workers Union (SWU)
• Insurance cover
• Become a volunteer coach (SWPSS)
• Independent members
• BASW Independents directory
• Independents digital toolkit
• Social Work Employment Services (SWES)
• Student Hub
• Financial support
• Alcohol and other drugs Special Interest Group
• BASW Neurodivergent Social Workers Special Interest Group (NSW SIG)
• Family Group Conferencing (FGC)
• Project Group on Assisted Reproduction (PROGAR)
• The Diaspora special interest group
• Independents local networks
• Local branches (England)
• Groups and forums (Scotland)
• Black & Ethnic Minority Professionals Symposium (BPS)
• Children & Families Group
• Criminal Justice Group
• Emergency Duty Team Group
• Mental Health Group
• Professional Capabilities and Development Group
• Social Work with Adults Group
• Student & Newly Qualified Group
• Social Workers in Health Group
• Communities of Practice (Northern Ireland)
• Networks (Wales)
• Membership renewals
• Membership fees
• The BASW UK University Social Work Education Provider Affiliation Scheme
• Student member
• Working (qualified less than 5 years) Membership
• Working (qualified more than 5 years) Membership
• Independent membership
• Newly qualified social worker
• Retired membership
• Unemployed/unpaid membership
• Membership FAQs
• BASW in the media
• BASW News and blogs
• Member login

• My Account |
• StudentHome |
• TutorHome |
• IntranetHome |
• Contact the OU Contact the OU Contact the OU |
• Accessibility Accessibility

Postgraduate

• International
• News & media
• Business & apprenticeships

Open Research Online - ORO

What is professional identity and how do social workers acquire it.

Copy the page URI to the clipboard

Wiles, Fran (2017). What is professional identity and how do social workers acquire it? In: Webb, Stephen A. ed. Professional Identity and Social Work. Routledge Academic, pp. 35–50.

URL: https://www.routledge.com/Professional-Identity-an...

The past decade has seen a growing interest in social workers’ professional identity. For students, it is increasingly viewed as an important outcome of qualifying education, to be developed and maintained throughout their social work careers. Being clear and confident about identity is considered to improve social workers’ contribution in working with other professionals. A strong, positive sense of professional identity is said to bolster social workers’ resilience to stress. Professional identity, when linked with the concept of ‘professionalism’, has become bound up with the regulation of practitioners and the avoidance of ‘unprofessional’ behaviour. These are just some of the ways in which the concept of professional identity has come to the fore: but are we all talking about the same thing? Understanding the different meanings and their usage is important for social workers, especially in the face of debate about the nature of social work and how it is best taught and regulated. This chapter discusses these meanings and suggests some ways in which practitioners – especially students and newly qualified workers - develop it.

Viewing alternatives

Download history.

• Download Accepted Manuscript ( PDF / 361kB)

Item Actions

This item URI

The Open University

• Study with us
• Supported distance learning
• Funding your studies
• International students
• Global reputation
• Apprenticeships
• Develop your workforce
• Contact the OU

Undergraduate

• Arts and Humanities
• Art History
• Business and Management
• Combined Studies
• Computing and IT
• Counselling
• Creative Writing
• Criminology
• Early Years
• Electronic Engineering
• Engineering
• Environment
• Film and Media
• Health and Social Care
• Health and Wellbeing
• Health Sciences
• International Studies
• Mathematics
• Mental Health
• Nursing and Healthcare
• Religious Studies
• Social Sciences
• Social Work
• Software Engineering
• Sport and Fitness
• Postgraduate study
• Research degrees
• Masters in Art History (MA)
• Masters in Computing (MSc)
• Masters in Creative Writing (MA)
• Masters degree in Education
• Masters in Engineering (MSc)
• Masters in English Literature (MA)
• Masters in History (MA)
• Master of Laws (LLM)
• Masters in Mathematics (MSc)
• Masters in Psychology (MSc)
• A to Z of Masters degrees
• Accessibility statement
• Conditions of use
• Privacy policy
• Cookie policy
• Manage cookie preferences
• Modern slavery act (pdf 149kb)

Follow us on Social media

• Student Policies and Regulations
• Student Charter
• System Status
• Contact the OU Contact the OU
• Modern Slavery Act (pdf 149kb)

Professionalism in Practice

‘professionalism in practice’ brings together a range of confidence-building resources to support you through placement and build your capability as a practitioner.

Here you can focus on the key elements of the placement experience. You can also think about your professional development in a wider context and as part of the first steps in your longer-term career.

Working in multi-disciplinary contexts

Social work involves liaising with a wide variety of agencies and professions. This means there can be valuable opportunities for collaboration, but also challenges to understand and manage different perspectives and expectations.

Critically reflective practice

Critical reflection is an essential part of a social worker's role. But how can you do this effectively? What models are there for supporting critically reflective practice? Take a look at these resources in this area to inspire effective critical reflection.

Being assessed

Being on placement is a time to gain vital experience, but also an opportunity to demonstrate skills and expertise.

Getting the most out of your placement

Time on placement can feel daunting at first, but ultimately rewarding.

Supervision

Supervision is an important chance for a social worker to access advice, and offers opportunity for shared-decision making.

Developing your professional identity

Being an effective social worker involves a wide range of skills and expertise, as well as focus and resilience. Reflecting on how you rise to challenges, and what influences your practice are key elements of your professional development.

• The Open University
• Guest user / Sign out
• Study with The Open University

My OpenLearn Profile

Personalise your OpenLearn profile, save your favourite content and get recognition for your learning

About this free course

Become an ou student, download this course, share this free course.

Start this free course now. Just create an account and sign in. Enrol and complete the course for a free statement of participation or digital badge if available.

Ethics and professionalism: being accountable

One of the differences between just ‘doing the job’ and professional practice is knowing and thinking about what informs what we are doing. In other words, what explanation can we give for doing the job this way rather than that? Being able to explain ourselves to others is an essential skill in professional social work practice because it is central to being ‘accountable’, or in other words being able to justify and take responsibility for what we do. The concept of accountability makes explanations such as ‘we’ve always done it like this’ or ‘it seemed like a good idea at the time’ not good enough.

Being professional

One of the reasons for discussing accountability and the codes of practice required by care councils and regulatory bodies is to think about their implications in the context in which social workers actually operate, including their statutory (legal) responsibilities, the values of their employing organisation, service users, society at large, and their own values. What happens in the event of a conflict?

There will be many occasions, particularly in practice situations, where social workers have to exercise judgement and be accountable for their decisions. This is another important element in the values of ‘professionalism’. It implies that there are many situations in which laws, procedures, rules and guidelines reach their limits, and social workers need to exercise both discretion and professional judgement. Spicker (2008) summed up the dilemma:

Professionals reserve the areas in which they can act autonomously – the ‘clinical freedom’ of doctors, the social work relationship, or the conduct by teachers in their classes. There are tensions to be resolved; the need for flexibility and responsiveness has to be balanced against the agencies’ concerns to develop consistent practices and professional claims are mediated through a process of constant negotiation.

In other words, someone must interpret and be accountable for rules and their limits, otherwise you end up with a list of rules, another list of rules about how to apply the rules, followed by another list, and so on. Lipsky (1980) suggested many social care workers could be viewed as ‘street level bureaucrats’. In this position they used their discretion to fulfil the procedural and bureaucratic demands of their organisation in ways that were consistent with their own values and motivations to help people. Since this time there has been continued tension about how to meet managerialist demand for rationing and consistency while also allowing social workers to act with professional autonomy and within their own value base (Mcdonald et al., 2008; Ellis, 2011; Evans, 2011).

Activity 10 Personal and professional values in a practice context

Watch this video and make notes in response to the questions. These video materials are parts of real-life social work situations which follow the work of a child protection team in Bristol, and which the OU was involved in filming with the BBC for a programme called Protecting our Children .

Transcript: Video 1 Personal and professional values

[CLATTERING]

Where are we going first? When was the last time you were in here? Where's your lounge? Come on, then, let's go.

[LOUD KNOCKING]

[WATER DRAINING]

[TOILET FLUSHING]

[MUSIC PLAYING]

• What are your personal responses to the parent who is in this situation?
• How are your own ideas and values about parenting relevant?
• What are the professional or social work values that the worker demonstrates?

This video illustrates some of the human complexities that social workers are confronted with every day. You may have had a range of emotional responses. Even though the mother in this clip was clearly unhappy and distressed by their situation, you may have found it hard to empathise, or the neglect of the child might have made you feel angry. It is important to notice and talk about your feelings and reactions, rather than ignore them. This is also a good time to think about how, as a social worker, you can maintain a professional response and respect for the humanity and dignity of service users.

In this scenario you saw the social workers demonstrating social work values in showing Biesteck’s ‘respect for the person’ and accountability to the law, their organisational context and other colleagues and organisations.

Social work is full of dilemmas and the morally active practitioner uses reflection and supervision as well as codes and protocols to think things through and arrive at the necessary decisions for action. Reflective practitioners will continue to question practice and seek improvements. In the next section, you will consider just what is meant by ‘reflective practice’ in social work.

• Empathy is a skill which enables us to understand the lives of people with very different experiences from ourselves and it is therefore a valuable tool for social workers.
• Social work is inextricably bound up with moral values.
• Although social work is based on personalised moral values (such as respect for people), it also exists in a social and occupational context. Professional ethics and being professionally accountable are also intrinsic to professional social work.

Writing Guide

Professional social workers create a variety of documents, including proposals, case reports, and treatment itineraries. Social work programs prepare students for these tasks through writing assignments such as research papers and essays. To prepare for these writing assignments, students should have a basic understanding of grammar, punctuation, citation styles, and essay formats before entering a social work program.

Professional social workers create a variety of documents, including proposals, case reports, and treatment itineraries.

Social workers handle vital information, which makes the ability to communicate clearly in writing a crucial skill. For example, a child welfare worker gathers information concerning the wellbeing of a child. If the phrasing in the related case report is too complicated, the professional may overlook safety details, which could endanger the child. Additionally, concise wording is important. Wordy documents can take excessive amounts of time to read, which could prevent social workers from considering other cases on a suitable schedule. To master the social work writing style, students should learn to provide necessary information succinctly.

Social work programs may begin assessing writing abilities during the application process through personal statements, so applicants should polish their writing skills before applying.

Featured Programs in Social Work

Types of writing social workers will do in school, personal statements.

Many applications require a personal statement that provides in-depth information highlighting the candidate’s qualifications and positive traits. Whereas a resume may briefly reference a volunteer opportunity at an organization, a personal statement could describe lessons learned while volunteering or elaborate on personal contributions that benefited the organization.

Schools examine these qualifications while reviewing statements, but they also consider the statements as social work writing samples and evaluate each applicant’s writing skills. For this reason, candidates should proofread these documents and include the standard introduction, body paragraphs, and conclusion. By following these practices, applicants demonstrate their understanding of college-level writing concepts.

Applicants should focus on strengths and experiences related to social work and avoid vague statements and cliches. Instead of noting their lifelong passion for the field, a student could address a single incident that sparked interest in social work. The school may provide a prompt on which applicants should base their statements. These prompts may involve career goals or ambitions in the social work field.

If the school lists personal statements as optional, applicants should consider submitting a statement to demonstrate their work ethic. However, if the school makes no mention of personal statements, students should refrain from submitting one, given the amount of application materials each school must review each year.

Social work courses may include essay examinations during which learners must answer questions in a limited time frame. Students rarely see the questions in advance. To prepare, students should become familiar with all major course components by attending classes, taking clear notes, and keeping up with readings and assignments. Study groups may also be beneficial.

To prepare, students should become familiar with all major course components by attending classes, taking clear notes, and keeping up with readings and assignments.

During the exam, students should begin by outlining the thesis and supporting evidence. This outline guides the student through the writing process and ensures the response remains on-track. These assessments often require three main supporting points, so students may include five paragraphs within these outlines: the introduction, three body paragraphs, and the conclusion.

Learners should also use time-management techniques during these assessments. Students may allot a certain amount of time for each paragraph, plus time to proofread. Using this strategy, students can write and polish each paragraph.

Candidates should carefully answer the assigned question, ensuring they read the question correctly. A single word can alter the prompt’s meaning. For example, an essay explaining how an event happened is different than one detailing why the event happened.

Research Papers

Whereas an essay may include personal opinions, a research paper focuses on facts. For example, an essay discussing a novel could include the student’s thoughts about the work. A research paper would use scholarly evidence to examine aspects of the novel, such as themes, characters, and historical significance.

Essays and research papers also differ in length. An essay may require only five paragraphs. A research paper, however, may be 10 pages or longer.

Students in social work courses can research topics such as drug or alcohol issues, government policies, child welfare, community involvement, and mental wellness. Social work research papers often include sections for methodology, literature, and research results, as well as an abstract and a reference list that fulfills APA requirements.

Students should use a variety of primary and secondary sources when writing research papers. Citing multiple sources reinforces the student’s claims. However, students should refrain from relying too heavily on quoted material; excessive quotations implies the writer does not understand the topic well enough to paraphrase the source information.

Learners may also submit papers to tutoring services before submitting to reduce the chances of spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.

How Do You Write an Essay?

Social work programs may require various writing assignments to prepare students to complete professional writing for social work practice. Each form of academic writing serves a distinct purpose, and an understanding of various writing styles provides a foundation to help students during these assignments.

Narrative papers often depict personal experiences, such as memorable vacations or first attempts at hobbies. Narrative works also include opinion pieces, such as book reports. When writing a narrative essay, students should have a clear focus.

Expository writing explores a specific topic and requires the writer to carefully examine the topic. The facts presented in an expository piece can come from research or, if the assignment’s structure limits research time, through means such as logic or an example. Cause and effect pieces, compare and contrast works, and process descriptions may all qualify as expository writing if they are meant to present information. All expository pieces should include a thesis and logical transitions.

Persuasive writing requires students to take a stance on a topic and to support that stance with evidence. Research is crucial to persuasive writing, and students should incorporate multiple sources to support their thesis. Additionally, writers should present countering opinions and prove the instability of opposing viewpoints through facts, logic, and examples. Ultimately, persuasive writing should convince readers that the writer’s position is the accurate stance on the topic.

Comparative

These assignments require students to compare two or more similar concepts, such as political positions, marketing plans, or fictional themes. Professors may assign topics or allow students to select their own. Before writing, learners should brainstorm similarities and organize them into body paragraphs. For instance, a student comparing two artistic pieces may construct paragraphs about color, medium, and setting.

Cause and Effect

This type of paper explains a presumed cause for a specific occurrence. For example, a student may claim that limited health insurance options lead to untreated illnesses in the United States. With this topic, the student could divide supporting evidence into separate paragraphs, such as the cost of health insurance, the benefits of health insurance, and the process of finding insurance information. Using this strategy, the writer covers various health insurance problems to verify the paper’s main point.

Citations Guide for Social Work Students

Using source information without proper citation leads to plagiarism, the act of claiming a source’s ideas without giving the source due credit. Consequences for plagiarism can include failing assignments, failing courses, being expelled from school, and enduring a lawsuit. Since departments require different citation styles, degree candidates should ensure they use the proper citation format for each assignment.

American Psychological Association (APA) Style

APA format was established in 1929 to create a common format for writing. These guidelines allowed writers to more easily interpret one another’s findings. Professionals in fields including psychology, criminology, and business use APA style.

APA format requires specific headers, page numbers, a cover page, an abstract, divided sections, and a reference list. APA in-text citations specify the author’s last name, the year of publication, and the page number. Students may substitute these details for the work’s title, “n.d.” (“no date”), and a paragraph number or section title, respectively, if the primary information is not available.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons & Hatfield, 2016, p. 23).

Chicago Manual of Style (CMS)

In 1906, the Chicago University Press established this citation style, which professionals in fields including history and philosophy employ today. Students following Chicago style may use in-text citations but often use footnotes or endnotes instead. Chicago style also requires a specifically structured cover page, page numbers, and a bibliography.

Footnotes and endnotes resemble bibliography entries but have different punctuation. In a bibliography, students use periods to separate a book’s publisher, publication place, and publication year. In footnotes and endnotes, this information is in parentheses. Additionally, endnotes and footnotes should include page numbers.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons and Hatfield 2016, 23).

Modern Language Association (MLA) Format

Established in 1883, the Modern Language Association supplies guidelines that many English, literature, and communication departments adopt.

MLA format includes a works cited page at the end of the document and specific page headers and numbers in the upper right-hand corner of each page. Basic assignment information, such as the student’s name, the date, and the course title, appears in the upper left-hand corner of the first page. MLA does not require a cover page, which separates this format from other styles. MLA in-text citations include the author’s last name and the page number.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years” (Simmons and Hatfield 23).

Associated Press (AP) Style

This style, established in 1977, covers wording, organization, and source documentation. Journalists and news reporters often use this format.

AP style uses brief paragraphs and concise sentences to quicken the pace of the writing. The style requires writers to abbreviate certain words, use a person’s first name only on the initial mention, and eliminate titles. Writers should also replace vague words with more specific options.

Instead of using parenthetical citations, writers can reference the sources in dialogue format. This detail and the lack of reference list are AP style’s distinct elements.

The company decided that the new marketing policy was “their best idea in 20 years,” according to Simmons and Hatfield.

The Best Writing Style for Social Work Majors

Most types of writing in social work require learners and professionals to use APA format. This style is ideal for social work professionals, who often work with documents containing vital information. When dealing with these types of documents, clear details and concise wording are essential. The rigidness of APA style helps writers provide an organized overview of the document’s topic.

Common Writing Mistakes Students Make

Active vs. passive voice.

When writing in active voice, writers state the doer of the action before the sentence’s verb. An example of an active construction would be, “He wrote the book.” Passive voice places the object of the action prior to the verb: “The book was written by him.” Though the information remains the same, active voice states the message more concisely.

Passive voice is a style error, not a grammar issue, and can even be useful in certain situations. Writers may use passive voice when the noun or pronoun undergoing the action supplies the sentence’s emphasis, such as in the following sentence: “The U.S. was founded in 1776.” Because passive voice serves certain purposes and has no technical grammar flaws, using unnecessary passive constructions is a common error.

In most cases, students should choose active voice for concision and clarity. Consider the sentence, “The food was enjoyed.” The reader cannot tell who enjoyed the food, whereas an active sentence with an equal number of words answers this question: “Jane enjoyed the food.”

Punctuation

Punctuation marks include periods, commas, semicolons, dashes, and quotation marks, and confusing their purposes may lead to flawed sentence structures. For example, a semicolon joins two independent clauses, or phrases that can stand alone: “The dog barked; it was loud.” Using a comma in this situation constitutes a grammatical error called a comma splice: “The dog barked, it was loud.”

Punctuation missteps can also alter meaning. In the sentence, “Please stop, David,” the comma before the name directs David to stop. “Please stop David,” on the other hand, would instruct an unknown person to stop David from performing a task.

Writers may confuse colons and semicolons. Colons indicate a pause before an emphasized idea, such as in the sentence,”She knew where to drive: Montana.” The colon places importance on the destination, Montana. Semicolons, on the other hand, may separate nested lists, as in the following sentence.

“The attendants choose between hiking, swimming, and basketball; running, yoga, and tennis; or weightlifting, bicycling, and baseball.”

Writers should become familiar with punctuation rules to craft accurate and clear sentences.

Grammar refers to language rules for phrasing and wording, including concepts such as verb tense and noun-pronoun agreement. Students may struggle with grammatical details, since the language includes irregularities that alter guidelines. For example, constructing past tense verbs often involves adding “d” or “ed.” However, irregular verbs use different formats; the past tense of “eat” is “ate,” and the past tense of “go” is “went.”

Writers may also struggle with homophones, which sound similar but have distinct meanings. Commonly confused homophones are “there,” “their,” and “they’re,” which indicates a place, shows possession, and is a contraction for “they are,” respectively. To avoid grammatical mistakes, learners should thoroughly study the language’s structure.

Writing Resources for Social Work Students

• Paradigm Online Writing Assistant This website guides learners through various stages of the writing process, including topic selection, revisions, and idea organization. Additionally, students may find information on different types of writing, such as argumentative works and informal pieces.
• Write Content Solutions This website provides tips on grammar, punctuation, and sentence structure and assists students with researching and citing sources. Students can improve their writing skills using practice worksheets available through the website.
• Purdue Online Writing Lab The Purdue OWL offers information on the writing process and assists applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs. Students can explore MLA, APA, AP, and Chicago formats through the writing lab.
• Writer’s Digest This website provides articles on creating pieces in specific genres, for individuals with particular levels of writing expertise. Topics include homophones and time management. The website also provides information about writing conferences and publications.
• TutorMe This website assists students struggling with essay structure or citation format. Tutors may help learners polish their writing through grammar and punctuation checks and general proofreading.

Take the next step toward your future in social work.

Explore schools offering programs and courses tailored to your interests, and start your learning journey today.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to main navigation
• Meet Founding Dean Dr. Diana R. Garland
• Equity & Inclusion
• GSSW Antiracism Statement
• Message from the Dean
• Program Evaluation
• The Waco Area
• Board of Advocates
• Faculty Directory
• Staff Directory
• Adjunct Directory
• Faculty/Staff
• Baylor BSW 5th Year Program - BSW to MSW
• BSW Course Descriptions
• BSW Special Course Offerings/Electives
• Financial Aid
• BSW Field Education
• Civic Interfaith Studies Minor
• Gerontology Minor
• Poverty Studies and Social Justice Minor
• Why the Garland School?
• Advanced Standing Requirements
• Standard Requirements
• Transfer Student Requirements
• Residential MSW Tuition & Fees
• Financial Aid Explained
• Financing your degree
• AmeriCorps Partnership
• City Year Partnership
• MSW Curriculum
• MSW Specializations
• MSW Joint Degrees
• MSW Field Education
• MSW Inquiry Form
• Field Education
• Inquiry Form
• Admissions Events
• Research activities
• Active research grants
• Ongoing research and projects
• Center for Church & Community Impact (C3i)
• Congregational Social Work Initiative
• Celebrating Culture and Diversity
• Gerontology Initiative
• GML Scholarship Program
• Apply to the Program
• GML Alumni Updates
• GML Digital Brochure
• Trauma Initiative
• The Writings of Alan Keith-Lucas
• 2021 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
• 2020 Gil Taylor Behavioral Health Symposium
• Career Services
• Continuing Education
• Post a Job Opportunity
• Social Work Job Listings
• Community Connection Magazine
• Resources, Events, and Traditions
• Request Info
• Make a Gift

Characteristics of a Successful Social Worker — The Traits, Skills & Education You Need To Succeed

What makes a successful social worker?

TRAITS SKILLS

Social work professionals are some of the best and the brightest. They intuit the needs of the people they serve and work to secure a better life for every individual who walks through their door.

Maybe you are considering a career in social work and are entertaining the thought of returning to school to earn your Master of Social Work degree . Or maybe you are drawn to a career in social work but are unsure if you have the personal qualities of a good social worker . Whatever your situation — check out these eight social worker character traits that will help you be a good social worker.

Explore Baylor University's digital resource page: Master of Social Work

The MBA of the Helping Professions!

What Does it Take to Be a Good Social Worker?

If you’re feeling called to a career that’s dedicated to helping those in need, then you’re in the right place. At its core, being a social worker is all about empowering others, influencing change, and making a difference in the lives and communities you support.

  The primary role of social workers is to advocate on behalf of underrepresented communities and help them navigate through challenging situations, including:

But what does it take to be a successful in social work? What skills and characteristics do you need to thrive in this profession? Let’s take a closer look.

Currently Reading: Introduction

Skip to next section

Table of Contents

8 Characteristics of a Good Social Worker

2 skills good social workers need, how to become a good social worker, 5 things to look for in an msw program, begin your journey in social work.

Open Table of Contents

Characteristics are the distinguishing features or qualities of something or someone — the qualities that make a person or thing different from others. While there’s no specific kind of person who makes a better social worker than others, you might find more success in your career if your friends or family would use some or all of the characteristics below.

Frequently, social workers handle cases involving an ethical or legal component. A strong ethical compass is one of the most important strengths to have as a social worker, and it speaks to the core values of social work. It is important that these professionals take the time to follow the proper protocols and ensure that they do their due diligence in order to best serve their clients. Every social worker is held to a professional code of ethics, as described by the National Association of Social Workers. By operating from a strong ethical base, social work professionals operate with integrity, enact social justice, and serve their fellow man by honoring and preserving the dignity of the human person.

Want to learn more about the ethos of social work?

Explore our guide - what do social workers actually do?

2. Organized

Social workers fill out paperwork for each client they see and maintain a file of their interactions, observations, notes, and each plan of action they develop. Social workers must be organized in order to stay on top of all their work and the numerous cases they are juggling at any given time. These essential characteristics of social work professionals help them to be fully present with each client they serve and to provide them with the best and most attentive care possible.

3. Empathetic

What makes a good social worker is their ability to understand and share the feelings of others — also known as empathy. For an individual approaching a social worker, it can often be a humbling experience to reach out and ask for what they need. When social workers respond with empathy, it helps their clients to feel validated and not judged.

Social workers who have a strong ability to empathize will be able to form strong connections because their clients feel they understand them and can relate to the things that are difficult for them. Similar to compassion, empathy is at the very heart of social work and is essential for any effective professional.

4. Respectful

Social workers deal with complicated and sensitive cases every day. An attitude of respect is one of the most essential personal qualities of social workers. Respect is required in order to maintain proper professional boundaries, and adhere to a code of ethics. In short, respect for the client, their personal information, and their personal challenges is essential to being a professional and successful social worker.

Social workers often work with diverse, and in many cases underprivileged, populations so it is imperative to keep an open mind. Respect for their client’s culture, ethnicity, religion, and beliefs are key components of a successful relationship. If a client does not feel that they are respected, they will likely seek the help they need elsewhere.

Sometimes social work is a slow-moving process. Often, the results you and your clients want to see take time. Especially when working together with other agencies and organizations to provide for the needs of your client, patience in social work is essential.

Social work professionals also need to have heroic patience when dealing with clients. Particularly when clients are working through difficult situations, they might not always be forthcoming with the information you need to do your job. Patience will help you to maintain your calm and sense of control, allowing you to serve your clients with a collected, mindful, and level-headed approach. Even when the situations are difficult, patience reassures your clients that you are in their corner fighting for them.

6. Trustworthy and Dependable

Social work is entirely based on relationships. If those you work for and those you work with do not perceive you to be trustworthy or dependable, it can be difficult to do your job effectively.

Social workers can demonstrate to their clients that they possess these qualities by listening to their needs, assuring them that they will work to find an effective solution, taking initiative in getting things done, and walking with them each step of the way. Social work professionals who have these characteristics will find it easier to build and maintain strong reciprocal relationships with those they serve.

7. Passionate

Passion is necessary to do any job well, but it is particularly important in the field of social work. Because of the fast-paced and intense nature of the job, it's not unusual to experience social work burnout . Passion for the work that they do and the difference they make in the lives of the individuals they help drives social workers to give their best to each client and case.

Clients and colleagues can tell if you are passionate about your work. Passion for your profession inspires hope in those you help and motivates those you work with to do their job to the best of their ability  as well. It is important to build up your fellow social work professionals, and passion for your craft can help them desire to work to their fullest potential.

How to Avoid Burnout

To make a career out of helping people when they’re hurting is one of the most challenging, rewarding, inspiring, and emotional paths that one can take. As a social worker you’ll be helping people deal with some seriously heavy topics. It can take a toll on your mental health, too. It’s common among social workers, who are often caring and empathetic by nature, to sometimes try to do too much. The result is mental, physical and exhaustion — also known as burnout or compassion fatigue.

Read more about how you can avoid burnout and compassion fatigue in a career that requires you to give a lot of yourself. 

8. Educated and Professionally Trained

To be an effective social worker requires professional training and a solid education in the principles and techniques used to manage cases. To begin your career as a social worker, you will need to hold a minimum of a bachelor’s of social work degree. With this degree, you can hold entry-level positions within the field.

If you want to have more responsibility and advance further in your career, you will need a Master of Social Work degree. While bachelor’s degrees provide a fundamental understanding of the field and how to interact with clients, a master’s degree allows you to dive deeper into the profession and work with clients on a more personal level to address their needs.

Skills are those things that you can generally learn or be trained to do. For social workers, there are two skills in particular you should hone to make your job more enjoyable and reduce day-to-day to stress.

1. Interpersonal Skills

Simply put, to be a good social worker you must work well with others, regardless of their background or experience. Strong interpersonal skills will help you form stronger connections with your clients and better understand their needs.

Here are some questions you should consider to determine your interpersonal strengths, and where you might need improvement.

• Are you an insightful person?
• Are you good at reading body language?
• Are you a good listener?
• Are you the type of person others come to when they need help?

2. Project Planning and Management

In your role, you’ll be managing schedules and appointments, planning goals for your clients, and tracking progress and success. If you plan to open your own practice, then you’ll also need to be solid on business fundamentals such as budgeting, marketing, and financial planning.

Successfully managing your many competing priorities as a social worker will not only help reduce your personal stress, you’ll be more available and organized to serve your clients when they need you.

Get an Education in Social Work

The two most common routes through which you can pursue an education in social work are by earning a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or a Master of Social Work (MSW).

Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

If you plan to start your social work journey as an undergraduate, a BSW program will help you build the foundational knowledge and skill set you’ll need to start your career. Your curriculum will teach you fundamental skills like social work methodology; theories of individual, family, and community development and functioning; advocacy; social justice; and research.

Master of Social Work (MSW)

The MSW is an opportunity for social work undergrads to build on their foundational knowledge and expand their skill sets to tackle more advanced topics. It’s also a great entry-point into the profession for career changers and compassionate people of all backgrounds!

In most programs, you can choose between different social work areas of specialty, such as clinical practice and community practice. You’ll also get the chance to determine which level of social work you’re feeling called to: 

• Micro (family, individuals)
• Mezzo (communities, churches, schools)
• Macro (government, legislation/policy)

Is an MSW Worth It?

One of the most common questions asked by prospective graduate students is whether or not their degree will be worth their investment of time and money. While only you can decide if your degree is “worth it”, it may help to consider both the tangible aspects, like career advancement or increased earning potential, along with whether or not an MSW will lead to increased satisfaction with your career.

Average Salary for a Master of Social Work

Depending on your area of specialization, career track, and job location, you can expect a salary in the range of $45,000 - $65,000. However, a lot more that goes into choosing a career path than your earning potential, especially for service-based careers.

Career Satisfaction 

Did you know that career satisfaction can have an impact on your finances? Studies show that unhappy workers experience higher levels of stress , which can lead to a myriad of costly mental and phsyical health issues.

In turn, some people choose to leave high-paying jobs for more meaningful work, like that of a social worker. If making a difference in the world is something that matters to you, that alone could make an MSW worth it.

Must Read Blog:

If you want to become a good social worker, it helps to earn your degree from a school with a good reputation and a high-quality program. Here are some things the experts at the Garland School of Social Work say make a program stand out.

1. A program that emphasizes research

Programs that place a premium on research are often the most forward-thinking and well-structured. Social work is an ever-evolving field and you want to be sure that you’re learning the latest and most advanced techniques.

2. Ethical and inclusive integration of faith

It’s important for social workers to recognize the role spirituality and faith play in the wholistic social, psychological, biological, cultural & spiritual framework that shapes a person, their family, & community. An MSW program that recognizes and honors diverse expressions of faith while teaching the ethical integration of faith and practice will prepare you to be a more successful and inclusive social worker.

3. Flexibility without sacrifice

If you’re coming to social work as a career changer, it may not be realistic to drop everything for a residential program. Whether you want to attend full-time, part-time, in-person or online, it’s important that your program doesn’t sacrifice quality for flexibility. The curriculum, professors, and experiential learning opportunities should be fairly similar, regardless of the modality you choose.

4. Field placement

There’s no substitute for the real thing, which is why much of an MSW education is hands-on fieldwork — a result of placement with one of the school’s partnerships.

5. Faculty who are experts in the field

This is an accreditation standard — to be the best, you should try to learn from the best. Do your research on the faculty to see which program features prominent experts in their field.

Student Toolkit

For more insights on picking the right msw program for you, download the future msw student toolkit.

Whether you want to help people one-on-one or influence change on a grander scale, earning a degree in social work will help you get the skills and knowledge to succeed.

At the Baylor University Diana R. Garland School of Social Work, our MSW program offers two specializations, Clinical Practice and Community Practice, and prepares students to serve as licensed professionals in their communities. The degree program is fully accredited by the Council on Social Work Education .

If you don’t possess all of these skills, don’t worry! Many of the characteristics listed can be learned through time and practice. These traits are just the beginning of what it means to be a successful social worker. Your best qualities and greatest strengths will bring uniqueness to your work and allow you to relate authentically to your clients.

Do you have some or all of the qualities of an effective social worker? Are you looking to take the next steps in your social work career? Check out our guide, Master of Social Work — The MBA of the Helping Professions . 

Explore the digital resource.

Master of Social Work — The MBA of the Helping Professions

• APPLY ONLINE
• INITIATIVES

• #BaylorLights
• About Baylor
• Anonymous Reporting
• Give to Baylor
• Mental Health Resources
• Pro Futuris
• Social Media
• Baylor Libraries
• College of Arts & Sciences
• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work
• George W. Truett Theological Seminary
• Graduate School
• Hankamer School of Business
• Honors College
• Louise Herrington School of Nursing
• Research at Baylor University
• Robbins College of Health and Human Sciences
• School of Education
• School of Engineering & Computer Science
• School of Music
• More Academics
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Baylor Law School
• Social Work Graduate Programs
• Online Graduate Professional Education
• Virtual Tour
• Visit Campus
• Human Resources
• Marketing and Communications
• Office of General Counsel
• Office of the President
• Office of the Provost
• Operations, Finance & Administration
• Senior Administration
• Student Life
• University Advancement
• Alumni & Friends
• Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Faculty & Staff
• Prospective Students

DIANA R. GARLAND SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WORK

• Diana R. Garland School of Social Work 811 Washington Ave Waco, TX 76701
• 254.710.6400

Copyright © Baylor® University . All rights reserved. Legal Disclosures . Baylor University • Waco, Texas 76798 • 1-800-229-5678

Social Worker’s Personal and Professional Ethics Essay

The profession of social work is a difficult and delicate one. Social workers have their own beliefs and values and these often differ from those of their clients. In order to have an organized system of doing social work, there is a code of ethics that governs how clients are treated to avoid chaos and to ensure that all parties involved get their rights. Some of the core values that guide the social workers are service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, integrity, importance of human relationships, and competence (NASW 1).

In social work, we learn that we should always leave our personal views behind and embrace professional ones. For example, as a social worker, I am expected to respect client’s right to self-determination. Every client has a goal in life and as a social worker, one should strive to identify that goal and help the client to achieve it. There are times when this proves to be difficult especially with regard to religion. My personal values on religion and how it is followed may conflict with professional work values or ethical standards.

Following the code of ethics means that I do not agree with abortion, homosexuality or certain religious activities. I have to let go of my personal opinions and view the client objectively. It is disturbing when I come across a client who desperately need medical attention but cannot accept treatment due to religious beliefs. There are times when would like to help but find it difficult to cross that religious barrier. This conflict may prevent me from seeing clearly and trying to find alternative solutions.

My personal values are that religion cannot be followed blindly. Any religion that allows my clients to remain on hallucinogens, fast for days while suffering bad health or avoid hospital is wrong. It does not mean that my values are the ‘right’ values and they may come in conflict with the values that I should adhere to.

To me, any religion that preaches poverty as a way of life is wrong. I fail to understand why some religious groups would encourage poverty as penance or as a gateway to another realm. It is difficult to deal with such clients because they may not understand that their actions are costing other people their tax money in social work. I may not be in a position to make them understand that for their own wellbeing and that of their families, they have to drop this religion. This is a personal view and I cannot judge them based on their religion.

With time I have come to learn that we all have different personal values and what makes us good or bad social workers is what we do with them. The best social worker is one who is aware of their values. They put them aside and focus wholly on the client. The secret also lies in knowing when to apply these personal values whenever necessary. When uncertain, or conflicted, it is always advisable to consult senior colleagues who have a lot of experience and are always willing to help.

There are people all over the world who are vulnerable, oppressed, discriminated against and living in abject poverty. These are the people who need social workers the most. The aim of social work is to enhance their wellbeing and to empower them to stand on their own two feet. This is done by identifying the contributing factors to their predicament. They may be environmental, emotional, and may be rooted deeply in their past. The social worker identifies the root cause, eliminates it and puts the person back into society through the established programs and agencies.

Some people say the best things are free. When I am talking to a client, I think to myself, “What can I give that is free yet ethically acceptable?” One of my personal values is my belief in the strength of human relationships. The vulnerable probably have no one to protect them. The oppressed have nowhere to run. They need someone to listen to them. If clients have no one to talk to, they may sink deeper into despair. I actively listen to my clients so that I can understand where they are coming from and to decide on the next cause of action. When a vulnerable, oppressed and poor person lays out their situation to a sympathetic person, healing begins.

The path to recovery may also begin with a touch. We are taught that social workers should not engage in physical contact with clients when there is the possibility of psychological harm to the client. I know the importance of touch and whenever I touch a client, I am always governed by appropriate and culturally sensitive boundaries. This technique is employed as a healing system and claims to be useful for reducing pain and anxiety, promoting relaxation, and stimulating the body’s natural healing process (Bruno 1). Touch where children are concerned is especially important. It makes them feel loved and accepted by society. It brings them up to be good citizen which is important not just for them, but for the whole society.

As a social worker, I understand that strong human relationships are the driving forces for change. It’s my personal value that if I can get a client to partner with someone that is important to them, then I will be one step closer to our goal. I seek to strengthen relationships between family members, social organizations where the client may have an interest. I find out what causes division between my client and the people that are in his or her life. Some are judgment calls as the people in their lives may be dragging them down.

Human relationships are strengthened by understanding. To strengthen relationships with clients, I find that it helps to see their living conditions. It helps to visit the place where they call home, to see what they eat, where they sleep and how they interact with their neighbours. For those who sleep out on the street, it helps to feel their cold and misery. I believe that this brings a deeper understanding. It puts a human element in our talks with the clients as we strive to find a solution to such dire circumstances.

The mark of a good social worker is in his or her ability to enhance personal values that do not conflict with professional values. This gives them an edge over others who do not hold the same personal values. It makes it easier and more fulfilling to help clients and to make the society a much better place. Whenever I find a personal value that might facilitate a commitment to and implementation of one professional social work or ethical standard, I hold onto it and build it up to make me a better and more productive professional social worker.

Works Cited

Bruno, Leonard C. Therapeutic Touch , 1999. Web.

National Association of Social Workers (NASW). Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers , 2008. Web.

• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2021, April 9). Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-workers-personal-and-professional-ethics/

"Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics." IvyPanda , 9 Apr. 2021, ivypanda.com/essays/social-workers-personal-and-professional-ethics/.

IvyPanda . (2021) 'Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics'. 9 April.

IvyPanda . 2021. "Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-workers-personal-and-professional-ethics/.

1. IvyPanda . "Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-workers-personal-and-professional-ethics/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Social Worker's Personal and Professional Ethics." April 9, 2021. https://ivypanda.com/essays/social-workers-personal-and-professional-ethics/.

• The Biological Basis of Sleep
• Arguments on Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire
• Self-Healing Materials and Their Using
• Code of Ethics Concept: Toyota Motor
• Ethical Issues Related to Competency
• Why Abortion Is Immoral?
• Ethics, Moral Principles, and General Psychology
• Ethics and Decision-Making in Public Safety

Home — Essay Samples — Life — Professions & Career — Social Work

Social Work Essay Examples

Empowerment theory in social work, barack obama as a social worker, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

Each essay is customized to cater to your unique preferences

+ experts online

Integrity in Social Work

The positive effects of change in social work, social work: career goals and mission, the importance of social work for society, let us write you an essay from scratch.

• 450+ experts on 30 subjects ready to help
• Custom essay delivered in as few as 3 hours

Bringing The Meaning in Life: Why I Want to Be a Social Worker

Ethical dilemmas in social work: solution to address the situation, the importance for a social worker to properly assess child development, analysis of the concept of "social work", get a personalized essay in under 3 hours.

Expert-written essays crafted with your exact needs in mind

Career Profile Research Assignment: a Career of Social Worker

Applications of statistics in social work research, reflection on my placement in ingle farm primary school, the lessons i've learned as a social worker with an occupational therapist and nurses, a study on the social impact of jane addams, life and legacy of jane addams, documentation of previous learning experience: social worker, analysis of the dead goldfinch by george elgar hicks in relation to social work, jane addams and her contributions to social work, a study on jane addams’ philanthropic nature, how technology assisted social work aids various social work roles, systemic problems in the social services on the example of kyla and david, the sssc codes of practice for social workers, meeting with a social worker: a radical change of life, social work field education: self-assessment, social functioning in social work, social work application, my intrinsic motivation - that's why i want to be a social worker, social work internship experience: a reflection, attachment theory in social work practice: exploring the potential.

Social work is an academic discipline and practice-based profession concerned with meeting the basic needs of individuals, families, groups, communities, and society as a whole to enhance their individual and collective well-being.

Females account for around 83% of all social workers. Healthcare social workers and family, child, and school social workers are the highest paying social work jobs. Social workers helped decrease the number of juvenile arrests by 68% between 1996 and 2015. Social workers provide over 60% of mental health services.

Mahatma Gandhi, Jane Addams, Alfred Neumann, Frances Feldman, Ida B. Wells, Harriett Rinaldo, etc.

Relevant topics

• Career Goals
• Dream Career
• Community Service
• Work Experience
• Administration

By clicking “Check Writers’ Offers”, you agree to our terms of service and privacy policy . We’ll occasionally send you promo and account related email

No need to pay just yet!

We use cookies to personalyze your web-site experience. By continuing we’ll assume you board with our cookie policy .

• Instructions Followed To The Letter
• Deadlines Met At Every Stage
• Unique And Plagiarism Free

Essay on Personal and Professional Core Values in Social Work: A Reflection

Core values are an essential part of what defines a person in terms of the individual identity as well as their professional identity. They are a set of fundamental beliefs or ideals that a person has, that define the way the person acts in their life (Your Dictionary, 2021). They help people in identifying actions as being right and wrong, and help in guiding them to the right path that needs to be followed in order to establish an unrelenting approach towards life. Core values are present on a personal level, and are also listed for every profession. In order for a person to be a good match for a particular line of work, it is essential that these values match.

Personal Core Values

Every individual has a set of values that they have imbibed from their personal experiences throughout their life. Every experience, big or small contributes towards the formation of these values and strengthening them. Personally, numerous experiences have shaped the ideals that I believe are a part of my identity. Following are some of the values that I hold valuable – Family, Honesty, Trust, Loyalty, and Passion.

From my childhood, a large part of the moral values that have been taught in my home is to treat everyone like family. Watching the elders of my family treat guests as well as others like they are an extended part of our family has been an inspiration. From minor things like helping people reach for the stuff on the top shelf or helping someone financially, or donating for a good cause, my family has taught me that doing good for people is a necessity of being human.

Stressing the need to be honest in all aspects of life, and explaining that lying leads to bad consequences has been a part of what my experiences have been. In the recent years, the only times I had to be dishonest have been to help people or to ensure that my studies are not affected, like saying that I was well enough to attend classes despite running a fever, resulting in me being exhausted after classes was a revelation that I had to take care of myself as well.

Trust and Loyalty

My experiences with people have been quite revealing in the sense that I have understood the need to be trustworthy myself before expecting others to be so, and to be loyal to the people who put their trust in me. Often times, it involves helping out friends who are in need of financial help and trusting them to pay me back, or asking for help when I need it myself and remembering the people who have been helping me throughout my life.

Every person in my life whom I have seen succeed in their own life have shown me that one should step forward in one’s education, career, or any aspect of one’s life with passion to work hard and succeed, and it has been an integral part of my approach to all issues that I personally face or help someone in resolving. Passion drives creativity and helps in solving problems more efficiently. However, it is necessary that the values I hold at my core needs to align with the values required for the job I take on for myself.

Professional Core Values for Social Work

Social work as a career requires certain core values in a person choosing to undertake the work in the field. They are – Service and Social Justice, Dignity of a person, Importance of relationships, Integrity, and Competence (University at Buffalo, 2021). In order for a person to work at their best in this line of work, these ideals must match with their personal core values.

• Service and social justice are the primary focus of the job as a social worker. One should have a hard definition of equality and how they can serve people to provide them with help and the solutions to combat oppression (National Association for Social Workers, 2021)
• Every person in the line of work, irrespective of whether it is a colleague or someone else, deserves to be treated with respect. Any action which goes against this aspect of the profession should be treated as a disrespect towards the profession itself.
• Every person whom one encounters in the line of work forms a relationship that goes beyond just blood. Helping a person to stand up for themselves and support themselves is an important part of social work.
• Integrity towards doing the right thing for the benefit of the people, and not compromising in any way when faced with obstacles or someone in power urges to do so, is necessary to ensure that our actions are towards the better life. All actions should show that one is competent enough to take on the obstacles and succeed

How do personal and professional core values relate?

My experiences in life which have developed my personal core values are in line with the core values of social work as a profession. Treating everyone as family with respect and helping them out in their time of need is the same as service and relationship that the profession demands. While the words used may be different, the essence of both ideas are the same to a great extent. Integrity in the line of work is no different that trust and loyalty that are a part of my personal values. Trusting colleagues to act in line with the intentions of the group and the benefit of the people and being loyal to the idea of helping people is the same integrity that social work demands. Developing the competence required for the profession through continuous learning and understanding new ways to work towards the benefit of the society is the same passion that drives me personally to do good to others. While the terms or words used are different in expressing the points, a large part of the ideas professed towards professional core values indeed match with my personal beliefs.

Working towards understanding the personal and professional core values that exist in social work, through reflection has been a revelation that proper upbringing of people often helps in forming them into social workers with or without the tag of a professional. While it is true that excellent education and the nuances of being a professional will be different and complex than just simply helping people, the latter is no different that social work, as long as the person is driven by the inner force to help people.

Your Dictionary (2021).  Examples of Core Values: 100 Powerful Principles.  Your Dictionary:  https://examples.yourdictionary.com/examples-of-core-values.html

University at Buffalo (2021).  Social Work Core Values and Code of Ethics.  University at Buffalo: School of Social Work:  http://socialwork.buffalo.edu/admissions/is-social-work-right-career-for-me/values-ethics.html

National Association for Social Workers (2021).  Read the Code of Ethics: Preamble.  National Association for Social Workers:  https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English

Cite this page

Similar essay samples.

• Essay on the Hip Hop Subculture
• Essay on Cross-Cultural Negotiations Between Americans and the Chinese...
• Essay on Metcash Limited Supermarket
• Essay on the Story in Religions
• Essay on Employment Law
• Is terrorism always unjustifiable?

My UNC Charlotte

Campus events, prospective students.

• About UNC Charlotte
• Campus Life
• Graduate Admissions

Faculty and Staff

• Human Resources
• Auxiliary Services
• Inside UNC Charlotte
• Academic Affairs

Current Students

• Financial Aid
• Student Health Center

Alumni and Friends

• Alumni Association
• Advancement
• Make a Gift

Bachelor of Social Work, B.S.W.

Program Tabs

The UNC Charlotte Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Online Program is a two-year, degree completion program that prepares students for generalist social work practice. The program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), and graduates are eligible to take the licensure exam for social workers in North Carolina.

The BSW Program at UNC Charlotte is designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and values necessary to practice social work in a variety of settings. Students learn about social work theory, research, and practice methods, and they have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through field placements.

Why earn your Online BSW at UNC Charlotte?

• Accredited by CSWE : The UNC Charlotte BSW Program is accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE), the national accrediting body for social work education programs. This means that the program meets the highest standards of academic quality and professional preparation.
• Eligible for licensure : Graduates of the UNC Charlotte BSW Program are eligible to take the licensure exam for social workers in North Carolina. This licensure is required to practice social work in North Carolina.
• Opportunities for hands-on experience : The UNC Charlotte BSW Program offers students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience through field placements. Field placements allow students to apply what they have learned in the classroom to real-world settings.
• Strong alumni network : The UNC Charlotte BSW Program has a strong alumni network that can provide support and guidance to students throughout their studies and beyond.

What can you do with a BSW degree?

Charlotte BSW alumni are employed in a variety of areas such as child protective services, substance abuse treatment, hospitals, youth and children services, criminal justice, adoptions/foster care, hospice, and long term care.

Other BSW graduates choose to pursue a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. Many apply to the UNC Charlotte MSW program or MSW programs at other universities.

Generally, alumni from the Bachelor of Social Work program are working in the Charlotte region. UNC Charlotte BSW graduates have job titles such as:

• Child, Family, and School Social Workers
• Social and Human Service Specialists
• Healthcare Social Workers
• Registered Nurses
• Medical Social Workers
• Mental Health and Substance Abuse Social Workers

UNC Charlotte BSW graduates go on to work for companies and organizations such as:

• Mecklenburg County
• Atrium Health
• Novant Health
• Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
• US Department of Veterans Affairs
• Thompson Child & Family Focus
• Cone Health

Lightcast research indicates that the average of the estimated wage for selected alumni of the BSW program, based on the median wage for their occupation in their county, adjusted for age and degree level, is $66,500.

Upper Division Curriculum

• SOWK 2184 – Writing for the Social Work Profession
• SOWK 3120 – Diversity and Populations-at-Risk
• SOWK 3180 – Case Management
• SOWK 3199 – Professional Behaviors, Ethics, and Communication
• SOWK 3201 – Foundations of Social Welfare
• SOWK 3202 – Social Welfare Policy
• SOWK 3133 – Community Engagement and Outreach
• SOWK 3181 – Practice Methods I
• PSYC 2151 – Psychology Distress, Dysfunction, and Disorders
• SOWK 3182 – Practice Methods II
• SOWK 3482 – Social Work Practicum I
• SOWK 3900 – Social Work Research I
• SOWK 3184 – Practice Methods III
• SOWK 3484 – Social Work Practicum II
• SOWK 3988 – Social Work Research II
• Approved Population Courses

Criteria for Admissions to Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) Upper Division

• Minimum cumulative GPA 2.5 or higher
• 60 earned credits or will have completed 60 credits by the start of Upper Division
• Completed and earned a C or better in the following courses: BIOL 1110, BIOL 1110L, POLS 1511, PSYC 1101, STAT 1222, SOCY 1101, SOWK 1511, SOWK 2182, and SOWK 2183
• Completion of all general education requirements by the start of upper division
• Discuss reason for seeking BSW and career goals
• Describe a social problem social workers might address through their work. Include research that helps readers understand the problem.
• Discuss what a social worker might do to ensure they help and do not cause harm to those they serve.
• Students in the BSW program must complete coursework along with an internship (practicum placement) during the final year of the program. The internship will be 16-hours per week both fall and spring. Share your plan for being able to fit the BSW program, including the internship into your life. Be specific in your plan of how you will accomplish your practicum placement, classes, and other responsibilities (e.g., working, family)

Admission offers are conditional until verification of the satisfactory completion of prerequisites, general education requirements, and GPA. Occasionally, in an effort to help students stay on track for a timely graduation, students may be admitted who are missing a prerequisite. If an exception is made, the student must be able to outline a plan for completing the requirement.

Application

Application submission timeline:

Applications for upper division are accepted February 1 – July 1. Decisions are released on a rolling basis until August 1.

Overview of Selection Process

The application process for upper division is competitive and not all applicants who meet the minimum criteria will be accepted. Applications are reviewed by the BSW Admissions Committee which is composed of full-time social work faculty members who regularly teach in the BSW program. Application elements (academic preparation, experience, and essay prompts) are scored using a BSW rating rubric which is based on a point system. Competitive applicants (those with highest scores) are selected until all seats are filled.  Applicants are notified of the decision of admission or denial on a rolling basis, but no later than August 1st. There is not a waitlist for Upper Division.  Applicants who have been offered admission to the BSW Program and who wish to accept the offer will need to submit their electronic enrollment form by the deadline identified in the acceptance letter. If the form is not returned by the deadline, it will be assumed that the student has declined the offer. 

Request More Information

Connect with an Enrollment Specialist today to learn more! Complete the For More Information box on this page or contact us using the links below.

Elena Artsiukhevich Enrollment Specialist 704-687-5235 [email protected] Schedule an online appointment

Workplace Dynamics

Are you part of a clique at work, the benefits and costs of clique membership, and what to do about them..

Posted May 13, 2024 | Reviewed by Jessica Schrader

• Close social relationships with co-workers are natural and beneficial.
• Social circles become cliques when outsiders are excluded, even if unintentionally.
• The important factor is how other co-workers perceive the presumed cliques.

It’s natural that you like some co-workers more than others. You may have more in common, spend more time together due to the nature of your work, or simply enjoy their company. As a result, you probably interact more, and differently, with these co-workers, forming closer bonds. So far, so good. However, the relationships serve as a clique when others outside the pair or small group perceive that they are not welcome to join.

Notice that the important piece is the perception of others. You and your co-workers may not intend to exclude others, or give off the impression that others are not welcome to join in the interactions, but it can be easy for others to make assumptions based on subtle behaviors. When you interact with your pals, you likely smile more and use a higher tone of voice, sending the message that these positive signs are reserved for members of the presumed clique. Plus, the more shared history among members of the social circle, the more likely there are inside jokes and references that outsiders don’t understand. This makes it feel intimidating to join in for those on the outside (especially if they are relatively new to your work setting).

Friendly, close relationships at work are valuable, and many of the benefits are obvious. Such relationships make being at work more enjoyable and offer camaraderie and social support. What about the costs? For those inside the social circle, the costs may not be evident. However, humans are story-makers in the sense that we all automatically try to make sense of our experiences. This is where potential problems arise.

If someone feels as though they are not welcome into the circle, it is easy for them to consider the social group a clique that intentionally excludes others. Then they create stories (explanations) as to why. Is it because you and your pals are mean or “stuck-up”? Is it because you think less of other co-workers? These stories become filters for how individual interactions are interpreted, and over time the stories seem more accurate as “evidence” accumulates. For example, if a co-worker walks into the room and you and your friends are laughing , your co-worker may assume you were laughing about them. In these ways, you and your friends may develop reputations among those outside your social circle and not even realize it.

Of course, there are costs of perceived cliques for those who are on the outside. Your co-workers may feel alienated and unwelcome, or not respected or valued as individuals. Even in instances of needing to interact to carry out job functions, there may be some reluctance or mistrust based on the stories created about the nature of the social cliques to which they don’t belong.

What might be done to minimize the costs of perceived social cliques in the workplace? First, consider being explicit in acknowledging the phenomenon. Virtually everyone has experience with social cliques, so start with open conversations about past experiences, good and bad. It’s likely that some people will have had the experience of being labeled as a member of a clique yet feeling as though the label and resulting stories were unfair. Some people may acknowledge membership in a clique during youth, and not realize at the time the detrimental effects on everyone involved. And perhaps the most common experiences shared will revolve around being on the outside of particular social circles, and what it felt like to be excluded.

Within the context of explicit conversations about cliques, discuss the possibility that some people may perceive cliques in the shared workplace. Those who perceive themselves as outsiders would understandably feel reluctant pointing out cliques they see, so it may fall to those who are members of established social circles to raise the issue. For example, “Janet, Darren, and I have worked together a long time and have a shared history, tend to joke around, and sometimes go to lunch together. I can see where our relationships might be seen as a clique. I wonder (worry?) that we may come across that way.” Looking expectantly toward the others, or asking explicitly for feedback, would hopefully bring to the surface any such perceptions.

If you are feeling like an outsider to one or more cliques, it can be trickier to bring up the issue. Try having conversations with individuals rather than the social circle together. You might open with your observation that this person and others (refer to them by name) seem close. This may prompt your co-worker to explain how or why that is the case. Then you might offer that without that shared history it’s easy to feel like an outsider and perhaps a bit uncomfortable when the social circle is present and interacting in ways that rely on the shared history. Hopefully, such conversations with members of the presumed cliques will sensitize them to your (and others’) experience, prompting a bit more conscious awareness that translates into being more inclusive.

Regardless of who broaches the topic, there is then the opportunity for discussion of what everyone would like to see happen moving forward. It’s not necessarily that “outsiders” will want to be included. Simply knowing that the members of the presumed clique are aware and do not intend to be a clique frequently resolves the problematic issues. Of course, members of established social circles may choose to be more intentional to be more inclusive to other co-workers. However, the primary goal of having these discussions is to revise the stories each person creates about each other and the social dynamics in the work setting. Such conversations are not like one-and-done affairs, so occasionally revisiting the issue is important, especially as new co-workers join the team.

Michael Wiederman, Ph.D., is a former clinical psychology professor who now works full-time applying psychology to the workplace.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Therapy Center NEW
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

At any moment, someone’s aggravating behavior or our own bad luck can set us off on an emotional spiral that threatens to derail our entire day. Here’s how we can face our triggers with less reactivity so that we can get on with our lives.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

2024 National Tribal TANF Institute Instructors

Kim Adams has over 20 years of experience in human services, specializing in Eligibility and Welfare to Work programs. With a track record of over 15 years facilitating workshops and trainings for both clients and staff, Kim is adept at fostering professional growth and a culture of continuous learning with areas of expertise extending to guiding workgroups, coaching staff and clients, developing policies and leading peer coaching programs.

Glenn Basconcillo

Glenn Basconcillo is the founder and president of GNB Consulting Inc., a human services solutions company based in California. With 40 years of public and tribal human services experience, he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge in human services delivery systems. Before starting GNB Consulting, Inc., he held the positions of chief operations officer, TANF director and TANF deputy director during a twelve-year career with the Owens Valley Career Development Center, a consortium based Tribal organization in California. Basconcillo also currently provides his professional support and services to the National Congress of American Indians TANF Task Force.

Nic Bryant is a former director of the Community Services Bureau at the Contra Costa County Employment and Human Services Department. He has more than 13 years of experience in the public sector, with over nine of those years in a leadership position. He has worked in over five counties where he gained insight and a wide range of experience leading in different county environments. Driven by his passion in leadership, service and development, Bryant takes pride in providing the best personalized experience for professional growth for the new, post COVID-19 professional environment.

Jackie DeLaCruz

Jackie DeLaCruz, M.Ed., is a consultant and trainer specializing in workforce education and training. Her specialty is creating training that lifts barriers between people and opens new possibilities for connection, collaboration and understanding. Her goal is to help staff and administration recognize the importance of their work and commitment to being in service to their community members. She has been training for UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education Human Service Programs since 1997 and has been the recipient of the UC Davis Outstanding Service Award for Teaching.

Matt Franklin

Matt Franklin is the CDSS Tribal TANF and Indian Health Clinic Unit Manager. 

Michell Franklin

Michell Franklin, M.A., has over 30 years of experience in the fields of higher education, mental health, providing clinical services to CalWORKs clients, nonprofit human services work and community outreach. She last served as the Capacity-Building Program Manager for the California Partnership to End Domestic Violence, a statewide nonprofit organization where she managed the department that provided training and technical assistance to nearly 150 community-based domestic violence prevention organizations across California. She currently serves as the program director of the Custom Training & Services unit within the Human Services Department at UC Davis, where she oversees and manages a wide range of training deliverables across the spectrum of human services workforce development, including county and state contracts and tribal programs.

Alisia Gonzales

Alicia Gonzales, M.P.A., has more than 12 years of experience working in Tribal TANF as a site manager and assistant TANF director with Owens Valley Career Development Center. Gonzales has trained line staff and managers on Cash Aid policy and procedures, proposal writing, community outreach, subrecipient management, monthly reporting and client program tracking. She has also provided one-on-one coaching for site managers on personnel issues, budget management, relationship building with Tribes and employee empowerment. She creates an encouraging learning environment that is team-focused and forward-driven. 

Karalee Joseph

Karalee Joseph has over 15 years' experience working with customers in Health and Human Services in a variety of roles including Tribal TANF as an educator, facilitator, trainer, staff developer, supervisor, manager and director. Her emphasis includes classroom management, child development services, ICWA, crisis management/intervention, behavioral management and youth prevention services. 

Antonio Lopez

Antonio Lopez has over 20 years of experience as a presenter and/or trainer on a variety of topics, including employment workshops, loss and change, suicide prevention, mental health, ACEs, stress. burnout and resiliency. He also has specialized knowledge and experience in county, state and federal policies and procedures, having worked for 10 years in human services, 10 years in mental health and suicide prevention and two years in public health. Lopez has been a certified trainer for multiple evidence-based curricula ranging from parenting, skill building, mindfulness and mental health first aid. 

Anthony Pineda

Anthony Pineda has over 6 years of experience working with people in Health and Human Services with specialty experience in the creation and application of programming in the field. With an academic research background, over 10 years in the field of education and projects that span technology and innovative design practices, Anthony meets all educational qualifications to provide this course. During the workshop he will share his extensive knowledge of healing, cultural connections and the way music contributes to human development.

Carl Rabun, Ph.D., Chumash, has over 15 years of experience training and consulting various public and private sector employees. He specializes in workforce development, leadership skills, workshop facilitation, client and employee motivation, building life skills, clerical and office support training, customer service, time and organization management, team dynamics, strength-based coaching, developing WTW plans and goal setting. He also served as an employment services case manager, unit supervisor and Employment Zone workshop facilitator at the Kern County Department of Human Services. This year will be Carl's 13th year participating at the Tribal TANF Institute.

Tiffany Salcido

Tiffany Salcido has nearly two decades of experience as a case manager, lead worker, supervisor, curriculum designer and professional development training facilitator for human service agencies across California. Her extensive background in public service makes her a subject matter expert in self-sufficiency, eligibility, employment, youth development, staff development and leadership development. She is an active member of the International Coaching Federation and the National Society of Leadership and Success. Salcido creates an engaged training environment in the topics of growth mindset, accountability, data analysis, reporting and more.

Rubie Simonsen

Rubie Simonsen specializes in youth development, human-centered design thinking, trauma-informed care, mindfulness and curriculum development. Simonsen brings a unique perspective shaped by her lived experience – having grown up with a single mom with split personality disorder who was incarcerated – which fuels their dedication to creating supportive environments for young individuals facing similar challenges. Simonsen also actively engages in tribal work, particularly in the realms of youth development, food sovereignty, story maps, mental health and traditional ecological knowledge. Through this engagement, she enriches her practice with insights and approaches that honor indigenous wisdom and community resilience.

Michelle Villegas-Frazier 

Michelle Villegas-Frazier, who previously worked for a decade in outreach programs on campus, returned to become the first director of Strategic Native American Retention Initiative in Student Affairs. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience in Native American outreach and retention services and programs. Villegas-Frazier provides strategic leadership to identify opportunities for enhancing the persistence, achievement and graduation rates for Native American students. She leads efforts to develop partnerships across the university and implement a plan to serve students from orientation through graduation.   

Yellowknife newcomer says his family's in the lurch while he waits for immigration papers

Yousef alshayeb wants to use his skills as a medical tech but can't get work without permanent residency.

Social Sharing

When Yousef Alshayeb moved to Yellowknife, his goal was to get a job at Stanton Territorial Hospital and help fill staffing shortages in health care.

Now, a year later, he's frustrated by what he feels is an arduous immigration process. He's also out of work and anxious about how he'll feed his family. 

Formerly a medical technician in Amman, Jordan, Alshayeb first immigrated to Ontario in October 2022 on a study permit. He said he immigrated for stability and was on track to become certified to work as a medical tech in Canada too.

But Alshayeb soon met his wife, an immigrant from Morocco, and moved to Yellowknife to be with her, in April 2023. 

He said he didn't realize that would cause so many challenges.

No longer on a study permit, Alshayeb decided to apply for permanent residency in Canada. He also planned to drive for DoorDash in Yellowknife while he waited for his permanent residency.  

As of Wednesday, however, Alshayeb's N.W.T. driver's licence is expired, and he can't renew it until he has Canadian permanent residency. That means he can no longer drive for DoorDash.

"Now, I can't do anything because of this paper," he said. 

All of Alshayeb's Canadian documents have also expired so he says he can't get another job. 

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it can take two years to get a permanent residency. That would mean Alshayeb might not get his residency until August 2025 — which is too long to wait, he says.

"No job — meaning no money, meaning no milk for my baby, no Pampers for my baby, no pay rent for my house, yeah, nothing," he said. 

Alshayeb's wife Houyame Elkhatri is a permanent resident in Canada. She's currently on maternity leave receiving $1,160 a month. The couple says that's not enough to pay their monthly rent — $1,890 — or other costs, like food and care of their nearly three-month old baby. 

Elkhatri is eligible for social assistance because of her permanent resident status. The couple said they're not clear on how much that would offer, or how for how long. 

Alshayeb says that will help temporarily to pay the bills, but he doesn't want to accept welfare. He wants to work and set up his life.   

"I need just help me with my paper, because after this I can complete my life," he said.

'Rooting for Yousef'

Alshayeb has met with federal and territorial politicians to see about expediting the immigration process and ask if there's anything else he can do. 

Alshayeb said N.W.T. MP Michael McLeod told him there wasn't anything he could do. 

McLeod declined an interview with CBC. In an emailed statement a spokesperson from his office said that their staff in Yellowknife are "dedicated to assisting" anyone who comes to them with immigration-related questions, "and have helped countless constituents successfully resolve their case files."

Alshayeb's MLA, Kate Reid, said that she's sympathetic to his case but that there also isn't much her office can do. 

"We're really rooting for Yousef but unfortunately my office is just one of advocacy, and this is hinging on a federal process," she said.  

Reid's office is how the couple learned that social assistance is an option. 

The MLA said it would be "so excellent" to see Alshayeb working in health care in the N.W.T. 

"Obviously our health-care system needs a lot of support, and we are finding it very hard to retain workers," Reid said.

She said it's important "that we're both attracting people here who have those skills and are ready and willing to work, and making that as easy as possible, especially for newcomers and from folks from outside of the territory here in Canada.

"Mr. Alshayeb is a DoorDash driver and, you know, that's definitely one way to feed your family in the interim. But if you have that background and you're a medical tech, obviously you would love to practice your profession."

IRCC confirmed that Alshayeb has applied for permanent residency, and did not respond about whether his application will take the full two years. 

A spokesperson for the department also said the two-year timeline is an estimate, and how fast an application is processed depends on the complexity of the application, how difficult it is to verify provided information, and how quickly applicants respond to IRCC's requests for more information.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Natalie Pressman is a reporter with CBC North in Yellowknife. Reach her at: [email protected].

• Follow Natalie Pressman on Twitter

Related Stories

• Yellowknife business owners fed up with proving labour shortage each time they want to hire a foreign worker
• 'Time is running out' for foreign worker fighting to stay in N.W.T.
• Work visa approved for foreign worker who fought to stay in N.W.T.