Social Work - the “Helping Profession” by Child Advocacy Specialist Emalee Lyne, LMSW
Why are Social Workers Important?
Social work is often named the “helping profession”. The primary mission of the social work profession, “is to enhance human well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of all people, with a particular focus on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.”1 Brené Brown says, “Social work is all about leaning into the discomfort of ambiguity and uncertainty, and holding open an empathic space so people can find their own way. In a word—messy.”2
Social workers work in many areas including aging, behavioral health, child welfare, clinical social work, counseling, crisis management, healthcare, non-profit management, public policy, school social work, substance abuse, and social and economic justice. Social workers provide knowledge, education, and encouragement to change whole communities. “When social workers are active in a community, it tends to have a positive impact on crime rates, health statistics, school attendance and employment.”3 In order to make a difference in communities, we see the importance of both large-scale change and individual change of those who make up the communities. The social work process includes meeting people and communities where they are at, assessing the situation and identifying strengths, assisting in developing individual and community goals, initiate strategies and interventions, and then monitor for success.
Social workers are important because they do not shy away from hard situations. They are not afraid to enter communities and the lives of individuals. Social workers build trust, show empathy, and walk with others to create change. Social workers do not provide instructions and then leave. We allow others to lead the way and walk alongside them, often carrying some of the baggage to make their load lighter.
As a Licensed Master Social Worker, I believe my skills and background assist me in my role as a Child Advocacy Specialist. I not only am able to display social work values and helping skills directly to children and families, but I am able to model and teach our volunteers. I believe these small moments of teaching can create more social-work minded individuals in our community. This will hopefully lead to socially conscious community members, create positive social change, and increase compassion and love for one another.
1. https://www.socialworkers.org/Careers/NASW-Career-Center/Explore-Social-Work/Why-Choose-the-Social-Work-Profession
2. Brené Brown, Daring Greatly: How the Courage to Be Vulnerable Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent, and Lead
3. https://onlinemsw.fsu.edu/blog/social-worker-role