Social Worker Mission Statement Summary

The book mentioned that there are tensions in the profession because the mission is changeable to fit different aspects. Some feel that this versatility of the mission statement questions the profession’s identity. Social is such a diverse profession to start with as a social worker can work in a hospital, school, home, clinic, day care, or nursing homes to mention a few. A social worker can have clients who are newborns, toddlers, children, teenagers, young adults, middle-age adults, or senior citizens. With such a diverse profession, how could a mission statement be specific? A blanket statement would work the best with the specific branches fitting the statement to their work.

A generalist social worker’s training is to work in a range of systems while an advanced social worker’s training is to work in specific fields. A generalist has to know the many theories and has an idea about the different social environments. They emphasize roles and
Both the individual and environment need change. For example, an alcoholic deciding to quit drinking is not enough for them to quit. Their environment has to change as well. They should avoid alcohol, drinking buddies, or an alcoholic environment if they want to succeed. So they not only work to change themselves but also their environment. The generalist empowerment perspective, social construction, and integrative model all support clinical and nonclinical practices being used together. The generalist empowerment perspective advocates a healthy interaction between the individual and their environment. Social construction emphasizes an individual affecting their own circumstances and creating a new identity. The integrative model takes the former two perspectives and combines them. The individual overcomes their own personal issues with help, and then turn around and give a helping hand down to those who are in a similar environment and