Social Services Reflection

1. The tasks completed during my BSW senior year field placement with the Department of Social Services varied. Conducting home visits with my supervisor while observing client behaviors in the foster home was a task I completed frequently. During these visits, my supervisor introduced me to clients and displayed how to properly conduct client in home assessment forms. These assessment forms would contain information pertaining to the client’s living conditions in their foster homes and would document the physical and psychological needs of the client to help them improve independent living skills; better preparing them for transition out of care. Also, I was allowed the opportunity to attend a school meeting discussing a client’s 504 behavioral plan. During this activity, it was discussed why the client was placed in the alternative school rather than being placed in regular school. After the meeting, the team concluded that the client was misplaced and that the client would developmentally progress within the school’s environment. This activity allowed me to see the importance of advocating for clients. This client’s worker did not accept the client being placed in alternative school and therefore did everything in her power to be placed back in regular school where the client best fit. Lastly, while interning at the Department of Social Services, I spent time updating Child Tracking Forms and Psychological Evaluation Reference lists; contacting different organizations exploring the services they provide clients who have experienced trauma. Completing this activity help me improve my ability to find local resources that will assist with advocating for clients. The activities completed while interning at the Department of Social Service has better prepared me for working with diverse populations within the community.