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There has been a dramatic increase in the survival rate of children born with complex healthcare needs (Carpenter 2003). There are major concerns as a result (Blackburn, Spencer and Read 2010). According to the definition of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 7.3% (CI 6.9, 7.7) of children in the UK are stated as having a disability. Disability patterns differ between sexes, with a higher rate overall in boys than girls and possibly more difficulty with learning and remembering ability, communication, concentration and physical coordination in boys.

Children with disabilities find themselves in dissimilar situations to those of non-disabled people. This situation for disabled children exists in particular circumstances such as in minority ethnic groups, black/mixed marriages and single-parent families. These children demand support from different professionals and agencies. It is vital for them to have effective multi-agency working. Currently, there is little evidence about the effect of multiagency working with disabled children and their families.

(Sloper 1999) highlighted in her paper the unmet needs for families who have children with disabilities: counselling and support to have information and guidance about services; the condition of the child and how to deal with and help the child; equipment supply; financial support with housing and transportation, and having breaks from care like respite care as practical support.

This paper will summarize the outcome of an evaluation of both multidisciplinary and multiagency working with disabled children and their families.

Background to Multiagency Working and Multidisciplinary Working

Multiagency working is eN•N•entially about bringing together practitioner with a range of N•killN• to work acroN•N• their traditional N•ervice boundarieN•. ThiN• iN• currently regarded aN• crucial to the effective proviN•ion of children’N• N•erviceN•. AN• local authoritieN• re-organiN•e to provide education, N•ocial care, and N•ometimeN• health proviN•ion,( Cronin 2005) within a N•ingle children’N• N•erviceN• department or children’N• truN•t, three modelN• for multiagency working are emerging:

Multiagency panels or networkN• – the ‘team around the child’ – practitionerN• remain employed by their home agencieN• but meet on a regular baN•iN• to diN•cuN•N• children and young people with additional needN• who would benefit from multi-agency input.

Multiagency teams made up of practitionerN• N•econded or recruited into the team, making it a more formal arrangement than a multi-agency panel. The team workN• with univerN•al N•erviceN• to N•upport familieN• and N•choolN• aN• well aN• individual children and young people.

Integrated N•erviceN• which bring together a range of proviN•ion, uN•ually under one roof, N•uch as in school or in an early years setting. Staff work in a co-ordinated way to addreN•N• the needN• of children, young people and familieN• providing N•erviceN• N•uch aN• all-year-round, incluN•ive education; care and perN•onal development opportunitieN• for children and young people; and N•pecialiN•t N•upport for children and families.

The idea of profeN•N•ionalN• and agencieN• working together iN• not new. There are many proviN•ionN• in the Children Act of 1989 which require different authoritieN• to co-operate and to conN•ult with one another while multi-agency N•upport iN• a feature of the N•pecial educational needN• framework, N•et up following the Education Act of 1981, (Nelson 2002)particularly in relation to N•tatutory aN•N•eN•N•ment and N•tatementing. ?…ince the Labour government came into power in 1997 a number of initiativeN• N•uch aN• ?…ure ?…tart and ConnexionN• have been put in place to promote effective ‘joined up’ multi-agency working to N•upport vulnerable children.

However, the recommendationN• which followed the Laming inquiry into the death of Victoria Climbie prompted a renewed determination to get N•erviceN• working together and in 2004 a new Children Act established a duty on agencieN• to co-operate with each other to protect and improve the liveN• of children. ThiN• haN• reN•ulted in N•ome of the following developmentN•:

The introduction of major changeN• to the children’N• workforce: a comprehenN•ive curriculum for training all practitionerN• who work with children iN• currently being developed by government. While thiN• iN• not going to make all profeN•N•ionalN• knowledgeable about diN•abilitieN• N•uch aN• autiN•m, they N•hould have the baN•ic N•killN• to recogniN•e a poN•N•ible developmental delay, be able to N•upport parentN• emotionally and, (McCarton 2006)crucially, to know when to N•ignpoN•t parentN• on for more expert advice. Working with children iN• a key component of the core curriculum which recogniN•eN•, for example, that N•ome children do not communicate verbally and that practitionerN• need to adapt their communication to the needN• and abilitieN• of the child or young perN•on.

New wayN• of N•haring information are being developed to avoid duplication, children N•lipping through the net and exceN•N•ive bureaucracy. The government haN• developed ContactPoint, a databaN•e holding information on every child in England from birth to 18 yearN• of age, poN•N•ibly longer for children who are diN•abled or looked after. With greater electronic recording of perN•onal information reN•ulting in wider acceN•N• in N•ome caN•eN•, iN•N•ueN• of confidentiality are of concern to diN•abled people. CroN•N•-profeN•N•ional legal guidance N•etN• out how information N•haring N•hould happen and coverN• confidentiality in N•ome depth.

The Common AN•N•eN•N•ment Framework (CAF) which aimN• to provide a more N•tandardiN•ed and preventive approach to identifying need and making proviN•ion and which operateN• acroN•N• profeN•N•ional boundarieN• has been developed. ?…ome children may be identified aN• having a poN•N•ible disability, such aN• cerebral Palsy, via this route (Eicher 2003). Every local authority (except the beN•t performing four N•tar authoritieN•) haN• to have a Children and Young People’N• Plan (CYPP) focuN•ed on better local integration of children’N• N•erviceN• in locationN• N•uch aN• extended N•choolN• and children’N• centreN•. FamilieN• with children on the autiN•m N•pectrum N•hould find it eaN•ier to acceN•N• N•erviceN• aN• a reN•ult and N•hould be conN•ulted about N•erviceN• they would like to N•ee improved and developed. The CYPP coverN• all local authority N•erviceN• affecting children and young people including early yearN• and extended N•choolN• and out-of-N•chool child care, education, youth N•erviceN•, children’N• N•ocial N•erviceN•. It alN•o includeN• N•erviceN• provided by relevant youth juN•tice agencieN• and health N•erviceN• for children and young people, including child and adoleN•cent mental health.

Models of multiagency working

Three different models of joint working have been identified by Watson et al. 2002: multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary, and transdisciplinary working. These categories are based on several experts working together effectively in a particular service context, linked with family requirements in a holistic approach (table 1).

Multidisciplinary working means single agencies made up of individual professionals (Watson et al. 2002). For instance, a health visitor, a physical therapist, an occupational therapist, a speech and language therapist, and a hospital consultant may work together within a health agency. Professionals work separately to assess the child, and as a consequence they produce separate documents so they do not share their goals and aims, which makes it very difficult to assess the child as a whole. Their care is focused on the child’s health care needs only without involving other needs such as educational, emotional and social needs. There is a low equivalent partnership approach with the family and low communication with other agencies; usually family members take on this role.

The second model, interdisciplinary working, with different agencies and their professionals working together by assessing the child and his/her family needs separately and then meeting together to set goals according to their findings. This model is focused on the child’s needs more than the family’s needs.

The third model is the more holistic approach and preferred by families, transdisciplinary working, where different agencies work together by sharing goals, knowledge, tasks and responsibilities. This model is focused on a primary provider, the key worker, who is responsible for delivery of an integrated programme for the child, and family care. Moreover, for the most important part is that families are treated equally.

Both (Sloper 2004, and Carney 2009) agreed that the transdisciplinary working model in the area of multiagency key working is the only way of integrated working which has favourable outcomes for disabled children and their families. However, there is not so much evidence that could show what type of model is implemented in practice. Sloper et al. 2004 also cited in her paper Cameron (2000) and Atkinson (2002) regarding other models; most models focused on relationships between professionals and how multiagency working was organised. This may contribute to better communication but does not necessarily result in the family receiving a coordinated service.

(Table 1 ,Watson et al. 2002)

Method

Electronic resources (MedLine, Cochrane Library, PsychInfo, PubMed, google Scholar) were used and the focus was on existing reviews, in particular qualitative studies and good quality reviews.

Key words

The research terms were multidisciplinary working and disabled children, multiagency working and disabled children, and multiagency and multidisciplinary and disabled children.

PROPOSED METHOD OF CRITICAL APPRAISAL

I have chosen two qualitative studies (Watson, Abbott and Townsley 2007) which help to explore the impact of multiagency/multidisciplinary working on disabled children and their families.

CRITICAL APPRAISAL

To critically examine the evidence provided by these papers, which are qualitative studies, it is appropriate to use the critical appraisal checklist provided by the critical appraisal programme, from the Public Health Resource Unit, Institute of Health Science, Oxford which was accessed from http://www.phru.nhs.uk . The 10 questions are adapted from Oxman AD, Cook DJ, Guyatt GH, Users’ guide to medical literature. VI. How to use an overview. JAMA 1994; 272 (17): 1367-1371. The reason for choosing this is because the two studies are qualitative studies.

1st study

Authors

Watson, D., D. Abbott & R. Townsley

Title

Listen to me, too! Lessons from involving children with complex healthcare needs in research about multi-agency services.

Publisher

Child: Care, Health & Development, (2007) 33, 90-5.

2nd study

Authors

Carter, B., J. Cummings & L. Cooper

Title

An exploration of best practice in multi-agency working and the experiences of families of children with complex health needs. What works well and what needs to be done to improve practice for the future?

Publisher

Journal of Clinical Nursing, 16, 527-39. 2007)

10 questions of qualitative research CASP tool
(Watson et al. 2007)
(Carter et al.2007)
Was there a clear statement of the aims of the research?

Yes, there was a clear statement of the aims

to discover the positive impact of multiagency working on families with children who have complex health care needs.

to examine the involvement of complex health care needs children in multiagency services.

Yes, there was a clear statement of the aims

to create a connection between children, families and people who work with complex needs children.

To discover best multiagency working practice with families and people who work with complex needs children, to find out what is good practice.

Generate opportunities, associations and guidance plans which will improve multiagency working practice in the future.

Is a qualitative methodology appropriate?

Yes, there was appropriate methodology: disabled children who are dependent on medical technology and their carer or families.

Yes, there was appropriate methodology:

20 Families were targeted (mothers – fathers – children with complex needs).

People working with complex needs children from different agencies.

Was the research design appropriate to address the aims of the research?

Time spent with 18 children &young people aged between 2 -15 yrs, 7 girls and 11 boys (from 6 multiagency services in the UK).

Interviews with 115 professionals in the 6 multiagency services about their experience in multiagency services.

25 families visited with parents/carers interviewed about their experience with multiagency services.

Appreciative interviews with participants lasted between (40 minutes – 3 hours):

Individual

Face to face

Audio- taped

Narrative interviews

Small group workshops (dreaming – design).

All participants were invited.

Workshops of consent (design and destiny).

All participants were invited to attend 5 consensus workshops across 2 counties.

Final synthesis.

Was the recruitment strategy appropriate to the aims of the research?

The authors targeted:

6 services chosen from 26 which presented the highest components of multiagency working.

18 children &young people aged between 2 -15 yrs, 7 girls and 11 boys with a range of cognitive abilities, from severe to no learning difficulties.

The majority had cognitive impairment.

3 children without obvious learning difficulties.

The explanation of chosen participants is explained above#.

18 parents/carers agreed to take part.

2 young people were recruited, one male and one female to help the authors with their meetings and email communication.

The authors:

Targeted 20 families: 10 families from Burnley / East Lancashire, and 10 from the South Lakes area, to reflect two different health economies within the area served by Cumbria and Lancashire Workforce Development Confederation (WDC), UK.

Recruited people working with complex needs children from different agencies as much as possible.

Used purposive sampling (families), and sampling of snowballing (professionals).

All the targeted population completed the interviews.

Also agencies and disciplines were targeted.

Were the data collected in a way that addressed the research issue?

Time spent / interviews / disposable camera for the purpose of taking photos of all the important people.

Informal, adapted, enjoyable and relaxed sessions to meet the needs of each child, lasting for an hour.

Small gifts + a 10 pound voucher for taking part.

Developed topic guide which covered:

Things I like, things I dislike, who lives at home with me, school, friends, adults who helped me, short breaks, difficult things to do, and happiness moments.

Drawing on big paper (the child &interviewer sometimes).

Showing a sheet of simple faces showing different expressions, to choose which one is closest to the ‘child or young person’.

Asking about seeing professionals, also about having a designated worker, ‘referring to key worker by name’ depending on the child’s cognitive ability.

Attride-Stirling’s approach to data collection is to ‘code’what is said in the interviews.( this was used instead of Appreciative Inquiry)

Each interview was coded line by line, and codes were assigned to words, phrases and any interesting views relevant to the research aims noted.

The researchers used this information to create the 56 statements on a flip charts. they then showed back to the people they’d interviewed. These people then chose statements which were relevant and meaningful to them, in relation to the research.

Small group workshops (dreaming – design)

All participants were invited.

Workshops of consent (design and destiny)

All participants were invited to attend 5 agreement workshops across 2 counties.

Has the relationship between researcher and participants been adequately considered?

Yes it has.

A lot of care is taken to create a more equal relationship between the researcher and the complex care needs children and their families.

Design method is flexible, non intrusive and responsive to children’s’ communication styles.

The construction of this relationship and the methodology have ethical implications which are discussed below.

Yes it has.

Flexible and dynamic approach by involving and shared between the participant and researcher.

Have ethical issues been taken into consideration?

Yes, ethical issues have been taken into consideration.

There were plenty of details about how researchers contacted the participants by obtaining consent from young people and some ethical dilemmas were presented.

The project was approved by two ethics committees:

The Faculty of Health ethics committee.

Morecambe Bay Local Research ethics committee (LREC).

All the LRECs were covered by Locality Agreements in Cumbria and Lancashire.

For the duration of the study, all research team had Honorary Contracts with Morecambe Bay Primary Care Trust (PCT).

Comprehensive information was received by the participants and they had opportunities to discuss their involvement.

At no time was there any pressure to participate.

24 hours were given as a minimum to make participation decision in the project to participants.

Was the data analysis sufficiently rigorous?

Yes it was.

There was no comprehensive discussion about the method used for data analysis.

The authors created data sets using four broad categories and they provided descriptive tables on children’s age, education, use of health technology and communication style.

Yes it was.

(figure 1) showed how rigorous the data analysis was:, thematic analysis using Attride-Stirling’s approach of basic themes grouped into organizing themes and then global themes.

Is there a clear statement of findings?

Yes, there was a clear statement of findings, there was a discussion of the evidence, but no discussion about the credibility of their findings. Findings were discussed in relation to the children’s communication in multi agency services.

Yes there was a clear statement of findings.

Their findings were explicit.

There was a discussion of the evidence.

There was a credibility discussion about their findings.

The authors discussed findings in relation to the original research question.

10-How valuable is the research?

Yes, the study does make a contribution to understanding the consultation of children with complex care needs used in multiagency services.

The authors didn’t discuss new areas of research.

There was a considerable contribution on involving disabled children in service delivery and research but there is still a gap about involving complex care needs children.

The project was valuable because it provided families with a better understanding of how practice should be, and provided opportunities for a mutual relationship between professionals through the exchange of information.

The research identified new areas where research is necessary in the future. There was a greater impact on practice by this study and it lead to a better quality of life for both children and their families.

Limitations of (Watson et al. 2007)

The major limitation in this study is that there was not comprehensive discussion about methods used for data analysis. Moreover, the authors created data sets using four broad categories: friendship and communication, relationships with professionals, school life, and the things that children like and dislike. With such a small sample size, 18 children and adolescents with complex health care needs, between 2-15 years old, it is very difficult to address the effect on the result of bias.

Limitations of (Carter et al. 2007)

There are some limitations in this qualitative research. The first one is in methods; the authors tried to carry out Appreciative Inquiry but then used Attride-Stirling’s approach. Moreover, methods were combined into three stages as another shift in method. Each agency / discipline was not fully represented. There was an absence of involvement of general practitioners. There was a limitation in the appreciative interviews because of they were interviews at a particular point in time. Furthermore, one child was included in the study due to other children being too young to participate or having severe disabilities. Last but not least, the study failed to recruit ethnic minority group parents and children.

Discussion

The main focus of these two papers was to find out the impact of multidisciplinary or multiagency working on disabled children and their families. Regarding the two studies’ findings in relation to multiagency working (Watson et al.2007) authors reported that seeing many professionals did not cause any difficulties for the majority of children in the study. However, difficulties did appear when professionals attempted to talk to the child directly. Communication between the key worker and the child was reported as weak or limited. One child expressed their feeling of seeing many professional as a silly and boring thing to do, while another child showed a close relationship with their key worker by recognising their name. In general, this study did attempt the challenge of involving children with complex health care needs, but it is not a reliable study because it used a small sample number of children.

As regards the findings of the second paper (Carter et al.2007), they chose two areas from the guidance plans, “the 10 statements”, as they felt that they reflected the two core areas of guidance which were: the most important As a consequence, authors stated the importance of making children and parents more satisfied and less isolated, and the crucial role of support and voluntary groups. Moreover, families and people from different agencies have to be cooperative when choosing the important role of coordinator for the long term, as this is where parents will seek help.

Figure 1
Evidence from disabled children with their families in multiagency and multidisciplinary working

Atkinson, Wilkin, Stott, Doherty and Kindel (2002) as cited by (Carney 2009) stated that multiagency working benefits organisations and individuals; it gives a broader perspective by providing enhanced understanding of the matters and improved connections with other agencies, and constructive experience on the whole, respectively. Moving towards better outcomes over the past decade, government has adopted integration of services for children and their families. Integration has taken various appearances such as, putting different types of proficiency together.

There are some positive outcomes that have been identified in the review of multidisciplinary team working as a model of multiagency working in health care. (Borrill et al.) came to the conclusion that there was a reduction in hospitalization and cost in terms of primary health care teams; development in the provision of services; growth in health care access; treatment, follow-up and detection are improved, and patient and staff satisfaction and motivation are enhanced

Few studies have focused on the impact of multiagency working and multidisciplinary approaches with disabled children and their families (Carter et al. 2007, Townsley, Abbott and Watson 2004, Watson et al. 2002, Watson et al. 2007). The majority of these studies carried out qualitative research methods to find out the key features of successful multiagency working practice and how to make children and parents more satisfied and not isolated, improved and enhanced their quality of life, and the crucial role of support and voluntary groups.

Many studies have focused on the positive impact of key worker systems in multiagency services for disabled children and their families (Greco and Sloper 2003, Greco et al. 2005, Greco et al. 2006, Liabo et al. 2001, Sloper et al. 2006). These studies have included comparisons between families with and without key workers. This model stated positive outcomes for families having key workers like enhanced quality of life, less isolation and feelings of strain, better relationships with services, and quicker access to services and reduced levels of stress. (Greco et al. 2005) authors have stated many advantages of having a key worker service in multiagency working for parents and children, as they can relate their concerns to one person who can then ensure the family’s needs are met and coordinate services. Having a key worker avoids duplication of telling the same story to professionals, and families received better information. Also, having a key worker enhanced the relationship between the child and their family by providing them with a mediating role and through building relationships with disabled children.

Key working is a service, involving two or more agencies, that provides disabled children and young people and their families with a system whereby services from different agencies are co-ordinated. It encompasses individual tailoring of services based on assessment of need, inter-agency collaboration at strategic and practice levels and a named key worker for the child and family (Care Coordination Network UK, 2004).

Also there was a range of studies which have mainly focused on staff views (Tait and Dejnega 2001, Presler 1998, Abbott, Townsley and Watson 2005). These studies illustrate the positive impact on staff when they use multiagency working for disabled children. For instance, there was enhanced communication and improved relationships with complex health-care need children, development in their work lives and their professional skills, enhanced teamwork with collaborators and more satisfaction in their role.

Two studies have discussed two services; (Young et al. 2008, Robson and Beattie 2004). The former talked about an Early Support programme to improve integrated services for disabled children and their families between 0 and 3 years old. The aim of this study was to improve and enhance outcomes for disabled children and their families, and to find out the relationship between integrated services and the impact of ES in terms of cost effectiveness and their benefits.

The other study (Robson and Beattie 2004) is a coordination project by Diana Children’s Community Service and multiagency services using qualitative methods e.g. interviews, questioner , focus group to name but a few. The results were effective collaboration within and between the services for disabled children and their families by enhanced and improved family support and satisfaction; a sense of control and a feeling of empowerment; equivalent partnerships between families and professionals, with duplication and service gaps reduced.

Sloper 2004 identified many negative outcomes of multiagency or multidisciplinary working on disabled children and their families when there are barriers to facilitating the integrating of services such as: when there are unclear roles and responsibilities; aims and roles are not shared among agencies; there is disagreement on aims; there is low quality of management including ongoing training, weak leadership and communication, and sharing of information; poor IT systems, and poor relationships with professionals.

Conclusion

Many studies have focused on the advantages of facilitating multiagency working generally as the most holistic approach for disabled children and their families and on multidisciplinary working specifically in terms of team working. However, there was a lack of studies which concentrated on the drawbacks of the two working models. This results in a need to address more focus on the negatives for future studies for both multidisciplinary and multiagency working with disabled children and their families. In my opinion, from my prospective experience in the disabled children association in Jeddah in Saudi Arabia, I have identified what type of model my organization followed: ‘multidisciplinary working’ alone which recognises that all professionals are working separately. My recommendation is to implement the holistic approach or “transdisciplinary working” which focuses on integrating services and adopting the key worker system to gain positive outcomes for the services in DCA.

Issue:

There are worse condition of workers and infringement of human rights in Dubai.

Background:

According to a survey report the main and important issues are the worse treatment with the workers, violation of the rights of workers/labours in Dubai. Some human rights organizations of Dubai have complained about infringement of human rights and, consideration of workers as slaves and problem of payment of recruitment fee. In 60 years Dubai has become a cosmopolitan city from fishing village and growing to become a worldwide city .In past Dubai’s economy was based on oil industry now it is generating its revenue highly from tourism, real states and financial transactions (Buckley 2012). In Dubai human rights are based on the enacted law, in which it is mentioned that all people should be treated equally apart from their race, or social status. But people of Dubai are violating the laws by not giving rights to the workers who work so hard for them honestly.

Many labours or workers in the city were supposed to live in the good conditions which were illustrated by Human Rights Watch but they are forced to live in worse conditions because of their bad employers. Other bad practices they are doing with the workers that they are not giving rights to the workers to raise their voice for the sake of their own basic needs, workers are mistreated by their owners, and their lives are in miserable condition, seven to eight workers are compel to live in one room apartment and then they will be able to send money to their families, sometimes workers do not get their salaries at the end of the month, workers are not allowed to switch their jobs if they do so they can lose their job, workers are bound to work excessively , workers often work from day till night with no days off to rest so that they are not be able to have relaxation time, workers get insufficient food, some workers are threatened by their owners(some employers threat their workers if they do not listen to them they will kill them) , premature termination is also a big problems faced by workers because there is no job security for the workers (Smith 2010). These problems have increased a lot and it is become important to take some significant steps and serious action for the protection of the worker rights.

Analysis:

Injustices in Dubai with the labours have attracted the attention of many Human Rights groups, and these groups have tried to convince the Dubai Government to take important steps for the workers’ rights and also allow them to form the labour union. But the Government of Dubai has refuted all the allegations regarding to the labour injustice or the violation of human rights and said that the Human Rights Watch’s allegations were totally misguided (Connell et al 2009). In the end of March 2006 the Government hence allow taking steps for the construction of labour union and then allow forming labour union. In September 2005 Labour Minister instructed one company to pay unpaid salaries of the workers in 24 hours after 24 hours workers protested and they published the name of felonious company.

In 2013 the Government finally reform new labour regulations with the help of Labour Ministry for the workers. In which it is stated that the employer or owner is not allowed to impose work on the worker or labour unless or until his/she has been agreed upon, and the owner is also banned to give difficult and dangerous task to the employee that can threaten the safety, health and dignity and honour of the worker, new rules also stated that employers have to pay the workers’ salary at the end of each month some additional benefits in the form of cash and cheques should also be provided to the worker, the employers are also imposed to give workers at least daily rest of nine hours per day and a day off so that workers can have relaxation time and they can enjoy their lives too, owners are not allowed to ‘rent out’ their workers, the regulations made by Government also stated that workers can get one month leave after giving two years of services. Regulation contains rules for workers as well that their duty is to take care of the owners’ property (Obay 2009), they should keep secrets of the employer and the place where they work, they should not refuse the given task or leave the job without any valid reason and should follow the rules and regulations and should not involve in any criminal activity which can give harm.

The regulations also contains strict penalties for workers and employers both who violate them or try to violate them. Employers who will not follow the rules will give 2,000 dirham as a penalty and will not allowed hiring any worker, while workers who violate the regulation will be fine 2,000 dirham and will not be allow working in Dubai. There are some advantages and disadvantages of these policies; the first advantage is that the workers are now getting their rights to work; they are having freedom of speech through which they can talk about their problem freely, they can get salaries on time, they can get incentives too, if they don’t get salaries on time they can protest against it and there are laws which can protect their rights, now they are no more slaves because there are rules which can protect their dignity, now workers are not compel or bound to do illegal and dangerous work which can risk their life and health, workers can enjoy their lives by utilizing their free time (Vora 2011).

All of these rules sound good but there are some disadvantages the first and foremost disadvantage is that the Government has made many regulations to protect the worker rights but there are many people who violate those rules for the sake of their personal interests it is very necessary to monitor the behaviour of the employers with their workers, but it is difficult for the Government to keep an eye on each and every one. Decision- maker i.e. obviously a Government had made policies or regulations for the workers but they should take certain steps to the implementations of those steps first step is to aware every one about rules and regulations by giving authority to the responsible people area wise, those responsible person would conduct workshops, seminars and interact with the people and will brief them about the regulation policies and penalties of violating those regulations, Secondly involve police and ask them to take complaints seriously whether it’s from employer side or from worker side, Third make area consular who can keep eye on peoples’ activities and they complaint to police about the person who violate the regulation. All these three parts should have connection with each other for the betterment of the people.

Recommendation:

The surveys shows that still workers in Dubai are suffering from extreme exploitation problems with excessively workings hours and unpaid salaries. Although Dubai is a member of ILO i.e. International Labour Organization but they are putting their reputations are at risks because of violation of human rights laws. This means that they need to make some changes in their certain policies which they have made for the human rights or workers’ rights. The Dubai Government knows that it is facing some difficult issues like reforming of its policies for the human rights, which needs to acclimatize to high pays and protection of government. The Ministry of Labour should need to take some measure steps to tackle these kinds of situations and should change policies which can be easily implemented and can be abide by the organizations for the benefits of their workers.

The policies which Government has made for the sake of human rights needs to be some change means it should be more practical. There is a rule that employer cannot give dangerous task to the worker that can risk workers’ life and workers have right to disobey the order given by the employer, this rule need some change like in this rule the government has to mentioned the criteria that which task is dangerous or risky for the worker or it can give harm on the basis of it one can follow the regulations, second rule is that owner cannot impose work on worker unless or until he/she has been ready to work this rule also need some changes in this condition again criteria is not mentioned and the workers can take bad advantage from it, there is one rule for workers is that they should take care of the employer’s property again criteria is not mentioned in this rule the owner can take disadvantage from this rule and can use it for the personal interest and can ask the worker to do his/her personal work which can be illegal and the worker are compel to do so. Unions and human rights organization have criticised a lot the policies failure of human rights because mostly workers are still paying recruitment fee to secure their jobs in the organizations which is a very bad example. And it is the biggest issue that there is a shockingly rise in the recruitment fees.

Main construction companies of Dubai are also failed to follow rules made by the Government and are unable to protect the rights and safety of the labours or workers. The Dubai Government should take some practical steps with the Labour Ministry to reduce this problem and should try to make a good image of Dubai. Government should start to tackle the key issues like focusing on the issue of recruitment fees, payment of wages, workers’ basic health problems, and workers’ staying problems because seven-eight workers live in one room apartment. For handling all these major issues which is not good for cosmopolitan city like Dubai’s image. Government should need to create better incentive programs for the workers that can benefit them, government should make a ‘wage council’ for reviewing the pay from national level to the market level, they should trained their workers by conducting different workshops and arranging seminars and make it compulsory to all the organizations to make their workers to attend those workshops and seminars so that it can benefit to workers as well as to the organization, the Government should establish a commission which duty is to investigate the complaints about the worst condition of the workers in the city, disallow the companies to do business with recruitment agencies, who charge fees from workers for employment contract, government should make law to investigate those companies who involve in violating the labour law, there should be a committee who can have the qualitative and quantitative data of workers’ riots, injuries and deaths at working place so that government can take some serious actions to deal and address those issues and can have contingency plan to deal with issues like them, government should significantly increase the inspectors who can be responsible for supervising the behaviour of the employers with the workers or labours, there should be another committee whose duty is to educate and inform the new workers about their rights under the law made by government. These are few recommendations which can suited to deal this problem and can be helpful to resolve this problem hopefully.

Dubai has made an impressive progress during six decades, and it is also progressing in particular areas like improvement in the rights for children, improvement in the living standard, improvement in education, with all those improvement it needs to work hard on it’s one sector specially that is Improvement in the law of Workers’ Right and implementation of the laws of worker’s right laws. Although it’s a tough task to make improvement in this sector suddenly, but gradually improvement can be seen by working honestly on it and by abiding and implementation of the rules and regulations made by government and the labour ministry

References:

Abdella, A. (2009). Global Dubai, particular challenges ahead. Retrieved from http://www.n-aerus.net/web/sat/workshops/2009/Rotterdam/pdf/Abdella.pdf

Buckley, M. (2012). From Kerala to Dubai and back again: construction migrants and the global economic crisis.Geoforum,43(2), 250-259. Retrieved from http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0016718511001734

Buckley, M. (2013). Locating neoliberalism in Dubai: Migrant workers and class struggle in the autocratic city.Antipode,45(2), 256-274. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-8330.2012.01002.x/abstract;jsessionid=5D1E68EA13553F82BE05F0F498AF0005.f02t01?deniedAccessCustomisedMessage=&userIsAuthenticated=false

Caplin, J. (2009). Mirage in the Desert Oasis.Harvard International Review. Cambridge,30(4). Retrieved from http://www.homeworkmarket.com/sites/default/files/q1/11/12/download.pdf

Connell, J., & Burgess, J. (2009). Migrant workers, migrant work, public policy and human resource management.International Journal of Manpower,30(5), 412-421. Retrieved from http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1810950&show=abstract

Obay, L. A. (2009). Corporate Governance & Business Ethics: A Dubai-Based Survey.Journal of Legal, Ethical & Regulatory Issues,12(2). Retrieved from http://web.b.ebscohost.com/abstract?direct=true&profile=ehost&scope=site&authtype=crawler&jrnl=15440036&AN=44574768&h=52kgIFM5MmEH6Zr6uMn3ioEzmRKiveye6YUIUILnL5%2bXw7ItD8VZ9oZVF50HYXqrep4DK%2fuKQmhVaVHffG8rFw%3d%3d&crl=c

Smith, B. (2010). Scared by, of, in, and for Dubai.Social & Cultural Geography,11(3), 263-283. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/14649361003637182

Vora, N. (2011). Unofficial citizens: Indian entrepreneurs and the state-effect in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.International Labor and Working Class History,79(1), 122-122. Retrieved from http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=A963D95F73B00A05F525F7C18197A8F5.journals?fromPage=online&aid=8275495

Introduction

I am going to discuss the role of women in the church and contentious issues, particularly when the passages such as 1 Timothy 2:11-14, and 1 Corinthians 13:34 talk about women should be silent in church. And slightly discuss the women in the society.

The Role of Women in the Society

Women in the modern society

Women today are coming forth in modern social trends. This feminism may appear too extreme and rather threatening to the male ego, yet the role of women in current society has drastically changed. Perhaps there is some explanation for their actions. Women are now regularly performing duties that were traditionally assigned to males. They are attempting to fight the continuing stereotype established during the earlier part of the century. The pretty image of the perfect fifties wife is rapidly evolving into a more suitable projection to accommodate their new role in today’s society.

More than two generations ago, a girl was expected to abandon her academic pursuits and assume the role of a housewife. She would completely devote herself to the preservation of the female-oriented position of homemaker. As time has progressed, fluctuations in the economy have made it necessary for a woman to obtain a career in order to fit in the society.

Strange as it may seem, the family roles have not changed much in today’s society. While girls and women (not only Polish) have more opportunities in home based employment, the traditional roles of women are still quite evident. They are still the caring provider and nurturer of young infants and children, the comforter for the crying child and the feminine presence of the household. While the husband’s role has diversified into more household chores and the cooking and cleaning up responsibilities, they are still considered the head of the household. In the absence of the man, can the woman really “be like the man”? I think yes. There are women who are capable in finance, Do-It-Yourself fixtures and fittings, even being a capable single parent and bread winner. In this respect, women will have to be like the man. Of course, the woman cannot match the physical strength of the man. The other aspect of “thinking like the man” is a definite no. This is through experience. Women generally look at the details and forget about the overall picture. They have the capability of juggling more than one issue at a time unlike the man. And she is more tempered to her feelings. And because of this, the focus is not there to make a sound judgment. Men on the other hand, are more focus and look at one thing at a time. They are less prone to feelings and therefore they are better at seeing the overall picture. I think for this matter, a man balances up the woman and vice versa.

If we look at the example of a family with the wife who tries to be like the man, we have a situation where the roles are different now, because of the presence of the man. Man, no matter how gifted or ungifted have a certain ability to say that he is the man in the house. And for the wife to usurp his position there will be certain unrest in the overall relationship. This may not be currently evident but it will become an issue at a later stage. Subtle hints are always there and if the wife chooses not to suspect or confront the situation, it will lead to a crisis.

Men and Women in Worship.

I will begin by what Paul stated concerning men and women in worship that men should adopt a respectful attitude as they pray and also women should pray with an altitude of respect, just like men. It might be a different thing in that church which Paul was addressing. Women face particular problem, in that it is easy for them to become preoccupied with their appearance and with looks that take time to achieve. It’s true that Descent and Honorable behave matters far more to God than jewels and expensive clothes. Beside if Christian women who posses God’s worship are too concerned about their external appearance they will forget the essential and will have neither the time of doing good deed.

It’s important to emphasize that Paul was not forbidding beautiful jewelry or lovely hair styles to all Christian women of all time was warning against becoming so attached to clothes and fashions and forgets the most important thing that is pleasing God by doing good deeds.

Paul Advice Women to Be Quite During Teachings

This advice has raised much debate among Christians in Africa, especially since the raise of feminist theology that asserts among other things, the right of women express themselves. Certain versions of the Bible have tried to get to get around the problem of translating 2:11 in a more acceptable way while still being true in the spirit of the text. The massage translates this as ‘ i don’t let women to take over and tell men what to do’. This translation assume that Paul give this advice because women were talking positions of authority and even of dominance over men, which was unacceptable in the culture of that day. The requirement for silence in association with teaching may also indicate that the women were talkative during time of teaching and worship.

Paul advice women to be silence not because of inferior, but as a sign of their submission to men and of acknowledgment of men’s authority. They will then be obeying the Oder that God established at creation. In applying this instruction in Kenya today, we need to think carefully about how women express their submission to authorities and to men.

THE ROLES OF WOMEN IN CHURCH IN KENYA TODAY

The role of women in the church is a contentious issue, particularly when passage 1 Timothy 2:11-14 is a regarded as laying down absolute rather than general principles within a particular culture. The focus should fall on the biblical call for all human beings to decern what is the will of God in their live ( roman 12:2) Jesus radical mission of transformation for liberation. Means that women and men are equally called and empowered to participate in the same mission in the church. What women and men do depends on our obedience to the guidance and empowerment of the Holy spirit.

Because of the entrenched culture and sexist attitude and practices, and the male-dominated leadership in many of the churches especially in the Maasai land, women in Kenya church have critical and prophetic role to play in ‘ stirring waters’ and ‘ speaking the truth’ by asserting their God given humanity and gift – not for their own sake of integrity of the gospel. many women in Kenya church have continue to claim their full potential and have taken leading roles. like the Samaritan woman ( John 4:1-42) when women in the Kenya church drink the water offered by Jesus, they go out to witness and spread the word of truth in their homes, villages, communities and churches with determination, boldness, courage and humility. for example the like of Teresia Wairimu, Esther Obasike, Bishop Magret Wajiru and many of great women of God which some have founded churches , preached, taught christian theology seminary schools and translated scripture into different languages in Kenya.

Where the church have listen the voice of the Holy Spirit , they have realize that scripture grant women a place in all ministries of the church. And women have been rightly ordeined to serve in all ministries of the church.

Conclusion

A careful examination of the Bible will yield an understanding of God’s intent for women and men to be full and equal partners to serve and worship Him. Perhaps the easiest point to make and understand is that there are many biblical examples of women leaders. The following women were divinely called to lead, were affirmed by their religious communities, and were specifically recorded in scripture as part of God’s revealed truth. A few examples:

Miriam – prophet; played major role in Exodus; led worship singing and dancing.
Deborah – prophet; judge; led Israeli troops into battle with Barak
Lydia – business woman who became a central leader in the Philippian Church
Priscilla – helped Paul establish churches at Corinth and Ephesus; corrected Apollo’s preaching
Phoebe – deacon; commended by Paul for her service to the church

If by design God created women not to be leaders, then he would be going against his own order and intent to place women in leadership; but God does not violate His own design.

In the beginning humans were created male and female in equality and partnership reflecting the image of God both individually and together as a plural unit. The sequence of creation does not signify importance or superiority. Adam is not superior because he is first; Eve is not the new and improved model. Instead, Eve is called Adam’s helper. The word helper, however, is not used as an indication of rank as in “a boss and an assistant.” The Hebrew word is ‘ezer and is also used to describe God by Moses in Exodus 18:4 when he says, “My father’s God was my helper: he saved me from the sword of Pharaoh.” Since God is called a helper also, we need to maintain the original elevated biblical definition of this word, and not submit to a culturally lowered interpretation in our understanding of God’s creation design

Adam and Eve are both punished for disobeying God. One of the consequences of Eve’s sin was a distorted relationship with Adam. However, God in his mercy promised a reversal of the fall and restored divine and human relations through Jesus Christ.

Restoration in Salvation: Salvation through Christ reverses or removes the punishment of judgment. Individuals are restored to a relationship with God. While we live in a world where the effects of sin are still playing out, believers are now members of the Kingdom of God where equality in him is restored. But even before Christ, faithful women were already filling places of leadership indicating that one’s relationship with God has an impact that brings about a change on the judgment meted out at the fall.

Refrence list

1 The Bible

2 http://www.gci.org/church/ministry/women6b

4.Sanley J. Grenz (1950-2005) :A Biblical Theology of Women in Ministry. Wolfhart Pannenberg publisher.

1

The first part of the review outlines key research findings on the statistics of domestic violence, explanatory theories, factors associated with vulnerability, women are more likely to experience domestic violence, with repeat victimisation and more likely to end up homeless, with profound pyhsical, social and psychological effects in their lives. Most women with the experience of domestic violence, return to their abusers and repeat the circle of homelessness. The second part of the project presents evidence from the government, local authorities, a range of initiatives and partnerships are working together to tackle domestic violence, through established strategies and policies, to develop interventions to tackle the underlining problems of homelessness, by providing a safe route to re-housing and working in partnership to increase safe accommodations for women, escaping from domestic violence (Caramel, 2002 -no such source). Evidence on criminal justice responses in particular, and their effects on victims. The project was developed by identifying recent relevant research through online searches of the Applied Social Sciences Index and Abstracts and other abstracts databases and other relevant text books from various libraries, also by following up key references texts. Particular research has been paid to available UK research pacifically (?) within homelessness, but much published literature on domestic violence is North America in origin.

Homeless women who are victims of domestic violence

In England, women make up 30% of clients of homelessness services. Research conducted by Crisis showed that over 20% of women became homeless to escape from the domestic violence. (Crisis, 2009). Domestic violence has the highest rate of repeat victimisation of any crime; over 40% are reported as a victim of domestic violence. (Caramel, 2002). – no such source

In 2002 to 2003 129,000 applicants were accepted as homeless and in priority need, and increased by 10% in the previous year. This is old data Data carried out by the British Crime Surrey, indicate that 57% of those who have been a victim of domestic violence, are then a victim of domestic violence again. (Crisis, 2009)Not on the web-site. Walby and Allen, 2009 state that three-quarters of women (all women?) have been the victims of domestic violence. The worst possible cases of domestic violence, rage from all types of violence, one in five women have been the victims of domestic violence, the levels of domestic violence are extremely high, a third of female victims were subject to more than three incidents of domestic violence , which is subject to the worst incident experienced by women. Are we talking about all women or homeless women?

Males & Hague (1997) identify why women are more likely to experience domestic violence due to unequal power relationships between men and women, when relationships become violent, a women will leave her home because of the violence. All the time? Also by the homelessness legislation, which has been changed? ?(Males& Hague (1997. p.397).

The Home Office illustrate that all information gathered from the surrey regarding domestic violence carried out by the British Crime Surrey, indicate other inter-personal violence experienced by victims, for example these include sexual assaults, repeated victimisation, and the possibilities of seeking out-side help such as help from the police and other agencies. The overall results from the surrey provides useful information for policy makers, practitioners and criminal justice system, professionals in the challenge to reduce these forms of violence connected with domestic violence. (Walby and Allen. 2004). The policy development to address domestic violence is based on three elements; these include preventing violence from happening in the first place, protection and justice, making sure that the justice system provides adequate protection for victims and brings offenders to justice, and most importantly available support, providing adequate housing support to victims to build their lives. (Walby and Allen, 2004). You needed to relate all the materials to homelessness,

Where is the logic here?

Netto et al.2009) supplement their own data obtained throughout their own studies relating to the ‘Sanctuary model’. This refers to sanctuary schemes which support women facing homelessness due to domestic violence to remain in their current residence in order to be protected against attack from outside the home. The study will compare and contrast ( why are you reporting a study that has not yet been conducted?) different women that have used the sanctuary services, for the purpose to draw some qualitative data from the study, which allow us to get some data on the victims of domestic violence. However the data related to women from different ethnic groups and the scale of domestic violence was increasingly high. (was it conducted or not?)

Local authorities fulfil their obligation to homeless women

Local authorities fulfil their obligations to homeless women by statutory and operational level to provide the right service. Many local authorities and multi-agencies are working in partnership to support victims of domestic violence becoming homeless, but there is still more practice needed between multi-agencies (?) and the need for more trained staff. Local authorities have been particularly responsive to these initiatives (Hague 1999). Multi-agency initiatives have advantages in representing a valuable area for debate about the social meaning of domestic violence and the development of services. The ideology for setting up multi-agency initiatives on domestic violence was influenced by the increasing international scope of the movement of domestic violence, such as the United Nations. (? UN is an international organisation not a movement)However the multi-agency coordination was recommended by a number of people, including civil libertarians (?) and feminist activists, majority of initiatives were set up by groups of agencies, such as Women’s Aid groups and many other organisations. The positive elements of multi-agencies initiatives lies lie in the commitment in working in partnership between agencies, and can lead to an emphasis on empowerment and support. Multi-agency initiatives could be of a major importance in the future in relation to strategies and policies of building awareness about domestic violence and its consequences in increasing women’s safety and in developing and coordinating effective and wide reaching services in decision-making and making priorities. (Radford el al, 2002 p.129).

How is this para related to multi-agency work?

Essentially local authority departments were required to satisfy themselves that people who applied for housing were effectively homeless, had a priority need and were not intentionally homeless. Only people who satisfied the relevant criteria were entitled to accommodation. Although no housing minister has said he wants to limit women’s ability to escape domestic violence, ideological factors significantly influence how governments and local authorities define and respond to the ‘problems’ of homelessness. Legislative definitions of homelessness are problematic as they define the governments’ responsibility in a legal sense. However, Loveland (1994) argues, such discretion-laden criteria would encourage many councils to minimise, if not evade their obligations. (Loveland, 1994, p.369)

Even though Local authorities obtain a statutory responsibility for tackling homelessness, despite all the criticisms they face in regards to the services they offer for homeless people. Nevertheless, many local authorities are using techniques to avoid their responsibilities mainly on the grounds that, a women maybe pressurized into accepting such help without being property informed of their legal rights ( Netto et al, 2009). This argument can relate to the fact that, having left their accommodation due to legitimate fear of domestic violence, a women with children or pregnant is legally entitled to be re-housed by the local authority. The government’s risk assessment states, a women who is encouraged to stay in her current home, rather being replaced with another alterative accommodation can be in danger of continuous violence. Further research conducted by Crisis found that the majority of homeless women were turned away by local authority’s front-line staff from making a homelessness application. Most women, who had negative experience, never approached their local authorities again for help again. (Crisis, 2009).not there

There are particular Housing Associations and local councils that provide support and resources for homeless women, they are responsible for offering a priority need to a vulnerable person, threatened with violence and no-longer can stay in the household due to continuous violence. However (?) the council has a responsibility to help people who become homeless, and the obligation to found an emergency accommodation for a vulnerable person faced with violence. In no circumstances the council can not send a vulnerable person back to an area of constant violence. (Shelter, 2005).

Women experiencing domestic violence often use the homelessness route to re-housing, but this should not be seen as the only option, but local authorities carefully provide support for homeless women. Emergency accommodations are provided by various organisations, and statistics show that most women who are given emergencies are affected with domestic violence. Local authority hostels may provide a more supportive environment and most have a policy of not accepting people who have a history of violence. However, some hostels are used by diverse groups and because it accommodates people with domestic violence. It is important that strict procedures are followed to keep information confidential, because most women are in threatening situations, therefore security and safety needs to be taken into consideration by local authorities. The best way of providing support, security and, in most cases, better facilities. Unfinished sentence However, there is a clear need for increased refuge accommodation as London does not meet recommended provision of one family space per 10,000 of the population. The pressure on existing refuges means that many women are unable to access a place. (Homes for London’s Women Mayor of London, 2005). Why do you suddenly move to discuss refugees?

1985, 1996 and 2001 Housing Acts relation to battered women.

The Housing Act 1985 gave homeless women some legal rights, but limited as (?) women’s chances of been re-housed and the few options that are available to them are commonly unsuitable. However women had been the invisible homeless, frequenting staying in violent relationships, which has caused them to be homeless, and with the limited help from the Housing Act 1985. There is no logic in this para you need first to describe the legislation and then critique itThe legislation failed to the increasing problem of homelessness and therefore women continued to suffer domestic violence, purely because of the lack of alternatives. (Logan, 1986). Vulnerable women are covered by part 3 of the 1985 Housing Act (Hallett, 1996 P.66). Part of the Act placed duties on local housing authorities to help homeless people, but the Act only granted ‘priority need’ to certain people. (Royal College of Physicians, 1994). The legislation failed to the increasing problem of homelessness and therefore women continued to suffer domestic violence, purely because of the lack of alternatives. (Logan, 1986).

The new Housing Act 1996 has bought (?) few changes; it updates provisions in the Housing Associations Act 1985. In accordance to domestic violence, the new act has introduced a new discretionary ground for a violent partner who has forced the other partner to leave the home and the court is satisfied that the abused partner is unlikely to return. Unclear (Cowan. 1996, p.128). Furthermore the Act gives the local authorities power to promote in regards to the existing legislation, where local authorities have analogous powers in relation to housing associations even though few of these only apply to registered associations.unclear (1996, p.26). The new law (It is not new) weakens existing homelessness legislation, therefore the new law brought about many challenging difficulties within local authorities to provide accommodation for homeless households. (Males & Hague (1997).

Pascal (et.al 2001) suggests, the Conservative ‘family’ agenda was driven by fears that the, ‘homelessness legislation encouraged teenage pregnancy, family breakdown and all the other ills that were thought to flow from the increasing numbers of lone mothers’ (Pascal, et.al, 2001, p.298). Consequently, the Housing Act 1996 removed the right to permanent housing for homeless applicants and replaced it with a right to temporary housing for ‘roofless’ people and reduced the government’s statutory responsibility. Nevertheless, the 2001 Housing Act made a priority need for housing for a person who is vulnerable as a result of ceasing to occupy accommodation by reason of violence from another person or threats of violence from another person which are likely to be carried out. (Delahay 2002).

There is nothing on Homelessness Act 2002!

Women rough sleepers, experiences they face on the street

Crisis research shows that whilst 60% of homeless women have slept rough, only 12%t had engaged with street outreach teams. 40% of homeless women reported having been excluded from a service and 10% were not using any service. 70% had become homeless to escape violence from a partner, yet less than a third of woman have negative experiences of approaching local authorities. In comparison with male rough sleepers, only 6% of males are reported to be sleeping rough from experiences of domestic violence. Nevertheless, rough sleeping is extremely dangerous for homeless women and they are vulnerable to been physically attacked and sexually assaulted. Women are drawn to these dangers by been invisible and insolated in hidden locations away from public streets. Numerous homeless women are known for engaging in unwanted sexual liaisons in order to secure accommodations, such as prostitution to earn money for drugs or other habits. (Crisis, 2009). Not there When looking at this in a wider scale, women who are rough sleepers are mainly associated with many types of problems. These problems can be related to emotional difficulties that come from domestic violence, and can be treatable that lead to recovering with the right support. However policy guidelines have been published by the local government in order to evaluate the extent of rough sleeping, this will help local authorities, in partnership with other agencies, to carry out a court of people sleeping rough in the area. (Brooke, 2009).

Charles (1995) argues, the refuge movement now known, as Women’s Aid has been instrumental in effecting changes, which grant certain rights to women threatened with domestic violence. The Women’s Aid also provides various supports, on how to get legal advice such as solicitors that specialise in domestic violence cases. (The Gresham Press Surrey, 1998, p.11). obscure source There are many refuges available to women escaping from domestic violence. A refuge is a house where women can get away from domestic violence , a women who has experienced physical, psychological or financial violence or other forms of violence’s can be taken into a women’s refuge. (Women Aid, 2009).

Women refuges.

Pahl,( 1978) states that a refuge should be seen as a place offering different help to different women, and a place where women can feel secure and at the same time, a women should be supported to find a more suitable place, as quickly as possible. The policy recommendations emphasis, that a refuge should be a place where women do not have to lose their rights in order to be re-housed. Battered women, with or without children should stay in the refuge as long as they wish, housing needs for battered women should be treated urgently. However women are no longer called battered women, instead women suffering from domestic violence.

The Salvation Army is one of the largest providers of refuges for homeless women across the UK. They have refuges for women, with life- changing services that dramatically change a women’s self-esteem while staying at the hostel. The Salvation Army provides emergency accommodations, and statistics show that most women who are given emergencies are affected with domestic violence. (Salvation Army, 2009). Not in your references Local authority hostels may provide a more supportive environment and most have a policy of not accepting people who have a history of violence. However, some hostels are used by diverse groups and because it accommodates for people suffering from domestic violence. It is important that strict procedures are followed to keep information confidential, because most women are in threatening situations. However security and safety needs to be taken into consideration by local authorities. The best way of providing support, security and, in most cases, better facilities. However, there is a clear need for increased refuge accommodation as London does not meet recommended provision of one family space per 10,000 of the population. The pressure on existing refuges means that many women are unable to access a place. (Homes for London’s Women Mayor of London, 2005). Not in your references

Women more a risk of homelessness now than 20 years ago, has domestic violence changed over the years.

Over the last twenty years homelessness has always existed, with the history of safe housing provision for women in the UK and the influence of the Women’s Aid movement, the role of local authorities and the influence of the Conservative governments, which then lead to the New Labour government, in changes for women in homelessness. Unclear Also the women’s movement in the 1970’s, and before this movement came, women leaving a violent partner can only get support from a family member or a friend. What does it mean?(Morley 2000). The women’s movement over the years has influenced and supported women’s rights, with a few houses (?) offering sanctuary to women organised on ‘self-help’ principles. Somerville (2000) notes the influence of the movement upon public perceptions of domestic violence that led to major changes in public policy.

However, whilst the 1990s have been regarded as a period of significant development in terms of public awareness of domestic violence (Hague 1999) unfinished sentence.The Housing Act (1996) has been seen by some as a step backwards. You’ve already discussed this Act.This legislation removed the right of those defined as ‘statutorily homeless’ to be housed permanently. Local authorities can only offer permanent accommodation to those registered on the council housing list; those escaping domestic violence are now merely entitled to temporary accommodation. The legislation gave local authorities the power to refuse housing to any person believed to have suitable accommodation elsewhere; this especially affects women from ethnic minority groups who could be assessed as having access to housing in another country (Harwin and Brown 2000). Obviously, this had consequences for many made homeless as a result of violence.

You need to look at the Homelessness Act 2002.

The recognition of domestic violence that leads to all types of abuse have been strengthened by women’s movements, state, and multi-agency initiatives, by creating a new service and developing policies in order to respond to abused women’s needs. (repetition) Also with the new policies and women’s refuge organizations its safe to say that women are safer than 20 years ago. (Skinner el al, 2005). Feminist’s activists have campaigned for developed organizations that have successfully challenged social institutions for failing to protect women.what does this mean? However (?) battered women’s advocates have publicized their criticism of police departments, courts and the law has reinforced legislations for the criminal justice to respond. Criminal justice system has been criticized by battered women and their advocates for not providing enough protection to victims of violence. (Pauline, 1993). The feminist movement examined and politicized all aspects of women’s lives. (Pauline, 1993 P.148). Feminist developed organizations to end gender discrimination and assaults on women as well as many other dilemmas. Majority of these organizations focused on protecting women, by ensuring safety at home also battered women’s shelters. (there is no logic in this paragraph)

In today’s society there are vulnerary (?) and statutory sectors with experiences of women service users and professional staff, for example, until recently the focus in the UK was domestic violence. What does it mean? This relies on the success of women’s groups, and organizations placing domestic violence on the agenda and influencing non-statutory bodies and statutory sectors and agencies. In order to achieve what domestic violence was focused upon, since feminist actives ? have overcome difficulties in the violence against women. (Pauline, 1993). Many organizations such as Women’s Aid in regards to their influential movement in the 80s, which created a growing visibility of domestic violence in public and media campaigns. By the 1990’s central government and statutory agencies had began to play a more direct role, practically at a local level and in relation to domestic violence, where there was policy of multi-agency intervention. You’ve said all this already. Over the emerging years there was a new legislation from the mid- 90, which was a civil protection orders for domestic violence, this was the Family Law Act 1996. With the new labour government introduced in 1997, issues concerning domestic violence had gradually moved towards the mainstream. (Skinner el al, 2005). However it began by developing new policies, aimed at uprising ? intervention strategy on violence against women, one particular policy was ‘Women’s Unit 1999’ and focused on domestic violence. Furthermore, this emphasis by state and multi-agencies ? on domestic violence had both negative and positive consequences (why?) , but on the other hand it can be seen as a way of success of pressure from women’s organizations and feminists that violence against women should be taken seriously. (author 2005). The positive approaches in tackling violence against women starts with government funding for projects in order to support and end domestic violence. (Skinner, 2005). This is very vague

Males& Hague (1997) suggest that the high increase in homelessness this is old data defines the changing of the government policies and shrinking public provision within the UK. According to studies were carried out, indicating that violence was associated with domestic situations that women experienced. In the study women’s feelings and about the process they went through within their previous experience of domestic violence and how they obtained safe accommodation. Where is the logic here? Males& Hague (1997, p.398).A woman whose relationship ends through domestic violence and her only option are to avoid the long-term of homelessness. Many other elements are also connected in finding an alternative solution to the various problems, these all depend on whether a women faced with violence from her husband, she then needs to take legal action against him. The legal actions are getting a court order (injunction), this means removing a violent person from the home. Another court order a women can apply for is Non-molestation orders; this orders the violent person,” not to assault, harass or molest her in any way, or to allow his friends or family to do”. (The Gresham Press Surrey, 1998, p.10). This paragraph makes little sense

Conclusion

This literature review has focused on those women who are accepted as being priority need in the system. Although women with the experience of domestic violence face a tragedy of homelessness despite the significant advances in policy and legislation, it’s fair to say that homeless women continue to endure unpleasant situations and are not getting the right support they require. In conclusion to women who become homeless are at substantially greater risk of rough sleeping on the streets, which then results in dangerous situations where a woman has no other alternative but to adapt to the dilemmas of the streets. Despite, the help from local authorities and multi-agencies, there are still a high number of homeless women. According to various statistics the number of victims of domestic violence has risen over the years, which then increases homelessness significantly. All these institutions are aimed at working with women to reduce violence domestic (?), by providing the right services for women. Although homelessness legislation has changed over the years, it provides a crucial route to secure housing for homeless women. Crisis believes that by paying attention to the needs of homeless women they will provide the right services to reduce homelessness. This must be your conclusion, not Crisis’s.

In the past women’s movements have campaigned for women’s rights and have influenced organisations as well as creating many women organisations that’s why society today goes a long way in supporting women, such as the Women’s Aid organisation. Women are no longer oppressed in society and have the right to seek legal advice and support, a woman is no longer limited by society and is given much more legal protection against domestic assaults. Marjory of the organisations run by the government and vulnerary organisations all aim to deliver services that help women leave their abusers and leave their homelessness behind. (Crisis, 2009). Not there

is essay will discuss why social exclusion and anti-oppressive practice are so closely linked. It will discuss how social exclusion can affect an individual and community, taking away their right to choices afforded to others in society. It will demonstrate how through anti-oppressive practices, processes such as decisio

n making and managing risk can be done in an ethical manner to help promote independence and empower a service user enabling them to work in partnership with the service provider.

It will also discuss, how a managerial style of social work threatens to remove the decision making process from social workers in order to maximise efficiency, meet targets and minimise risk. With growing media coverage calling for social work decision to be more transparent, increasing pieces of legislation, policies and procedures are taking away the decision making skills and professional judgement from the role.

From the very beginning, the role of a social worker has been to help those marginalised and discriminated against by main stream society. The Poor Laws of 1536 saw for the first time, money being collected from local people and redistributed to those deemed worthy of support (Horner, 2009). These humble beginnings are in stark contrast to the complex role of social work today. Banks (2006) discusses the role and the attitude towards social work as ever changing, one which is impacted by the opinions of main stream society and the political agenda, era and environment within which it works.

The underpinning values of social work have remained largely unchanged throughout its history and can be identified in the modern role today; respect, confidentiality, acceptance of individualism, being non-judgemental and a belief in the ability to change, as described by Parrott (2011). These values have defined the role of a social worker as being one that “promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being.” (International Federation of Social Work, 2011).

Values and ethics are a strong theme which dominates all aspects of social work. Values are ideals or beliefs which are important to an individual or organisation and can be viewed as being either positive or negative. Ethics are ways in which a person or organisation behaves in relation to their values, again either positively or negatively. Values define what is right and wrong whereas ethics is the act of doing right or wrong. (Banks, 2006).

The General Social Care Council (General Social Care Council, 2002) has developed a code of practice which social workers must adhere to, these include; promoting independence, to protect individuals from harm, respecting the rights of a service user to make their own choices and be accountable for their own actions. The aim of these codes of practice is to provide a unified value base which will allow social workers to act ethically within their role. The codes of practise as set out by the GSCC provide a tangible set of values for the social work profession and by following these values should result in ethical practice. Social Work is not only governed by its codes of practice and their values but also by government legislation.

Dalrymple and Burke (2006) and Banks (2006) discuss how the vast amount of social care legislation can be seen to both help and hinder the role of a social worker. Targets and guidelines were introduced into the workplace with each new piece of legislation, turning the focus from how an individual is treated to the end result; how quickly they arrived at this point and what resource have been used to achieve it. The ethical question here is how the legislation is used; often as a means to justify an action rather than to assist it and the legislation should be used to confirm what powers a social worker holds not when they should enact them. When placing a child into local authority care, the decision of removing the child lies with the social worker, the legislation merely gives them the power to do so.

To some extent, Banks (2006) argues that the process of ethical decision making has been removed from the role of social work in order for them to meet targets as can be seen in the role of assessments of service user’s needs. Assessments increasingly use the system of tick boxes forms to assess the need for services; those not meeting the threshold are denied the sought after service. Lack of resources and pressing targets may mean the course of action taken may not always be the most ethical.

According to Parrott (2006), one reason for this shift towards a more business style approach to social work is down to the increasing media coverage when things go wrong, calling for the social work profession to be more accountable in the eyes of the general public. Banks (2006) supports this argument citing Franklin’s (1989, cited in Banks, 2006) view that social workers are often vilified for acting too hastily or not acting soon enough. High profile cases such as Baby P and Victoria Climbie (Parrott 2006) have called for the social work profession to be more accountable for their actions, introducing set policies and guidelines into the workplace, negating the need for individual social workers to make their own decisions.

Dalrymple and Burke (2006) suggest another reason for the move towards a more managerialist style of social work in the decreasing financial resources available to the sector. Most of the financial resources are spent providing an adequate service across the board or on high risk areas such as child protection.

Birmingham City Council faced High Court action in 2011 (BBC, 2011) when it attempted to cut its provision of social care for disabled adults. In the increasing difficult financial economy, there are 122 councils in the UK which now only provide care for those with substantial or critical care needs. (BBC, 2011).

Wilson et al. (2008) describes this move towards a more managerial style of social work as not being all inherently bad, the intention being to standardise the decisions making process in the hopes of lessen risk for all across the board, however the decisions being made in some cases are not the best they could be; the best outcome in a few cases has been overlooked for a good outcome in the majority of cases.

In 1997, the UK underwent a change in government; from the long reigning Conservative Party to New Labour (Labour Party, 2011) and with it the introduction of the term ‘social exclusion’.

The circumstances of social exclusion have been recognisable since before the social work role existed, however this new phrase encompassed not only the issues people faced, but how it affected them. Betts and Gaynor (Department of International Development, 2005) describes social exclusion as a process which systematically disadvantages certain groups within society and by doing so does not permit them the same opportunities and rights given to their peers. This can be done on the basis of; age, gender, race, religion, sexual orientation, health, physical/mental and emotional ability or even the area in which they live. By not affording these groups of people the same opportunities as others, this impacts on education and employment prospects resulting in low education, poor employment opportunities and substandard housing.

It is often found that people living in poorer housing estates, compared to those in better off areas, have basic levels of education resulting in high levels of unemployment, poorer employment prospects and more health issues due to poor housing. This often results in the resources available being of poorer quality. According to Oxaal (1997) school attendance is often lower in economically deprived areas as it is seen as having little or no value, believing that the individual will be faced with a life on benefits despite their academic achievements. Schools in these areas are more likely to be less well funded and able to provide the same opportunities as other schools, often focusing on the basics such as reading and writing and less on personal development. (Giddens, 2009).

Giddens (2009) describes how social exclusion is not always imposed by society but sometimes by the individual themselves; turning down employment or not continuing in education are choices made by the individual and the consequences of which may lead to or maintain the state of social exclusion.

One of the main impacts of social exclusion is poverty. Llewellyn, Agu and Mercer (2008) describes how social workers are more likely to work with people from an impoverished background than any other; citing that ‘children living in poverty are 700 times more likely to be the subject of local authority care’. Giddens (2009) agrees with this arguing that children of poorer families are far more likely to become poor adults, perpetuating the cycle and increasing the need for intervention at some point during their lives. Despite it being perceived as the biggest driving factor, Ward (2009) argues that social exclusion is about more than just a lack of income. Both Giddens (2009) and Ward (2009) agree that those facing poverty are often children, the elderly, women and ethnic minorities but Ward goes on to describe that it is the accumulation of factors such as these that keep people in social exclusion. A young unemployed white man is more likely to improve their circumstances than an elderly Asian lady living on a pension.

It is this multi-dimensional nature of social exclusion that makes it difficult to tackle. A social worker needs to understand whether the exclusion a person faces is imposed by society or the individual themselves as well as the nature of the exclusion and be able to identify the aspects which contribute to the exclusion faced by the individual. It is this understanding which will ultimately lead to an effective course of action to help empower people and enable them to improve their standard of life.

One of the roles of social work is to fight social injustice. Social exclusion on the basis of such qualities as age, race and gender are often tackled on an organisational level by legislation, acts such as the Race Relations Act 2000 and the Disability and Equality Act 2010 (The National Archive, (2000) and Directgov (2010)) prohibit discrimination against certain groups of people. Other pieces of legislation, such as the National Health Service and Community Care Act 1990 encourage a change in behaviour to redistribute the power balance between a service provider and its user. This act made it a legislative duty for Local Authorities to consult service users when planning and delivering services (The National Archive, 2000). It is this change in delivery and implementation of service provision that has led to the introduction of anti-oppressive practice in social work.

Parrott (2011) discusses two distinct aspects of anti-oppressive practice; firstly on the basis that it should work against oppression and secondly that social work practice should seek to empower service users, seek to work in partnership with them with a minimal level of intervention. Wilson et al. (2008) and Dalrymple and Burke (2006) agree with the view of Parrott (2011) on anti-oppressive practice seeing it as a view to achieve social justice for service users. Anti-oppressive practice as a behaviour should, as outlined above, seek to promote three things, empowerment, partnership and minimal intervention.

Empowerment, as described by Parrott (2006), can only be done when the social worker understands the context of the viewpoint of the service user within their situation. Although the facts and information obtained during this process can be verified, they should be taken as a clarification of how the service user sees themselves and should not be changed or corrected. People from the travelling community do not place a high importance on children attending school once they have gained a basic education, understanding how and why they hold this viewpoint will enable a social work to gain a better understanding of the values and priorities of the traveling community on educational matters.

Control should be given to the service user to allow them to define their own situation, allowing them to do so without judgement and correction can empower them to take ownership of their situation. This control can enable a service user to take power over their situation, providing them with the confidence and self-belief that they are able to learn new skills and develop existing ones to improve their circumstances. (Parrott (2006), Clifford and Burke (2009))

Working in partnership with service users is an important aspect of anti-oppressive practice. Any course of action taken by a social worker should be done with the consent of the service user. Parrott (2006) explains that this may not always be possible; some decisions such as removing children from the family home or admitting someone into hospital following a breakdown are choices outside the service user control; however some choices, like where the child is placed, may still be subject to discussion.

The act of listening to and taking into consideration the wishes and thoughts of a service user in such situations can also be seen as working in partnership. The nature of the partnership should include qualities such as listening to others point of view, providing information to all parties and being honest. These qualities will enable the partnership to remain even in the event that a decision is made the service user does not agree with.

An opportune time for partnership to be developed is during the assessment, planning, intervention and review (APIR) cycle. The assessment of the situation faced by the service user should always be done in collaboration with them, checking their requirements for assistance and understanding of the circumstances. During the assessment process, particular focus should be given to highlight the strengths of the service user, reinforcing the first stage of empowerment. Areas of development should also be identified and agreed upon.

When deciding upon a plan, it is more likely to be effective if it is done with the consent of the service user and where possible, utilises their strengths. Planning can be a difficult step in the APIR process, balancing the needs of the service user with the resources available may not always be possible. It may also be that the wishes of the service user are in conflict with what they need, an elderly person may wish to remain in their own home but the level of care required may not make it financially feasible.

The coalition government in power in the UK today has put forward the ideal of a ‘Big Society’ (The Cabinet Office, 2010); the idea being that families and communities work together to meet their own needs, taking back the power and the responsibility for improving their own situations. It is hoped that if a community takes responsibility for improving the area for its local residence, it’s more likely that everyone will become involved and work for the benefit of all without reliance on central government.

Any intervention should be reviewed on a regular basis and should take into account the feedback by all involved parties. The discussion should include what has been successful and what is still left to be achieved. If more action is required, the APIR cycle can start again to deal with the remaining issues. Not all remaining issues may be negative, it may be appropriate to continue with more positive aspects such as enrolling on course to aid self-improvement; this will give the service user more confidence and empower them further making it more likely that the positive outcome agreed upon is more likely to be successful.

The third aspect of anti-oppressive practice is minimal intervention. Parrott (2006) has split this into three levels of intervention; firstly at a primary level. This level of intervention should provide minimal support and usually takes the form of education and support, preventing the need for further assistance. Schemes such as Sure Start run by the government supports pregnant mothers until the child reaches school age and is designed to provide help and support to those from poorer backgrounds with the aim of tackling issues before they arise, (Directgov, 2011). The second level of intervention is done thorough early intervention with the intention of involvement being brief. The third level of intervention is usually enacted when something has gone wrong. According to anti-oppressive practice, the purpose of the intervention should be to reduce the consequences of the event. Taking away the risk of the incident reoccurring without changing the situation would be the ultimate goal, it is accepted that this may not always be possible. (Parrott 2006).

Wilson’s et al. (2008) view on anti-oppressive practice is largely the same as Parrott (2006) in that she sees the introduction of direct payment’s and individual budgets for service user a positive thing. Wilson et al. (2008) also describe the service user as having ‘self-determination’ in that they are an entity able to make their own choices and decisions and should be encouraged to do so. Wilson et al. (2008) also discussed the over use of advocacy with social workers often assuming the service user requires someone to speak on their behalf. If a social worker is to truly empower the service user then they must acknowledge their right to make their own decisions.

Under government legislation, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (The National Archives 2005) which came into force in 2007 gives every adult the capacity to make their own decisions unless it is proved they are unable to do so. The act also protects ‘unwise’ decisions, where a professional may not make the same decision in a given situation; it does not mean the service user lacks capacity to make it, protecting their right to make their own choices. When a service user is deemed incapable of making their own choices, an advocate may be appointed to assist with the process. In instances where an ‘unwise’ decision is made, a social worker should weight up the right of the service user to make the choice and the risk involved in doing so. If the risk involved in making the decision puts the individual or the community at risk, then further consultation should be taken to discuss the point further. Although a social worker should not force a service user to change their opinion on a matter, they should provide a balanced view of the situation and highlight the possible effects and consequences of the choices available in the hopes that a more positive decision will be made.

Mental capacity to make a decision is not a blanket issue; someone may have the capacity to make some decisions and not others. Elderly people with illnesses such as dementia may lack the capacity to make decisions one day but able to do so the next.

Advocacy is most often thought of as acting on behalf of someone who is unable to do so for themselves, however acting as an advocate can also mean empowering someone by giving them the information, ability and opportunity to make their own decisions, (Parrott 2006). The ‘Big Society’ is an example of collective self-advocacy in which a group a people with similar interests are encouraged get together to form one unified voice. Encouraging the formation of such groups often lessens the feeling of isolation in people facing social exclusion. Collectively it also gives them a stronger voice and the ability to request change to services and resources which have historically been withheld or are inaccessible on an individual level.

Decision making in social work comes with the element of risk management. As discussed previously, it is good practice to for service users to make their own informed decisions provided they understand the consequences of their choice as well as having the capacity to do so. Hothersall and Maas-Lowit (2010) describe how the term ‘risk’ was historically used to describe the likelihood of something happening, with neither a positive or negative connotation. In modern society, risk is viewed as the likelihood of a negative outcome occurring, the term ‘chance’ is used when something is deemed to have a more positive outcome, however both words mean the same thing; the likelihood of an event occurring.

Much like Parrott (2006) and Banks (2006), Hothersall and Maas-Lowit (2010) have noticed a change in the way social workers perform in relation to risk, describing the profession as becoming ‘risk adverse’. The policies and procedures put in place for social worker to work within have minimised risk to such an extent that the option of choice has been greatly reduced.

When carrying out assessments, Hothersall and Maas-Lowit (2010) highlight how reports and case notes focus on the risk of a situation rather than the needs of the service user, taking away the understanding of what has caused the situation to focusing instead on who is to blame and minimising the risk of it reoccurring. Cases with a higher level of risk to either the individual or the community are often afforded more resources than those with lower risk levels.

Hothersall and Maas-Lowit (2010) also view risk positively in that the outcome could be beneficial to a service user. By understanding the risk, what other options are available and taking steps to minimise any negative effects, the outcome of the risk taking may be highly beneficial to the individual. This is often the case when people with mental illnesses return to live in the community from hospital care. Whilst taking medication, the service user may pose a very minimal risk to the community; however the perceived risk may be much larger. Provided steps have been taken to acknowledge and minimise the risk and plans have been agreed in the event of a crisis situation, then the right of the service user to reside in the community should outweigh the requirement to keep them in institutional care.

Risk is a factor which can be minimised but not eradicated; the nature of social work is surrounded by risk on a daily basis. Even by following policies, codes of conducts and planning for all perceived eventualities, the outcome may still be an unwanted one. Hothersall and Maas-Lowith (2010) perceive this to be inevitable in the field of social work and it is learning from these cases that will improve professional judgement.

My first placement as a social work student was with a homeless charity working with young adults. The impact of social exclusion was evident in every aspect of the job. Many of the young people who visited the centre had a poor level of education, often had a criminal record, had spent time in care, were unemployed and many had learning difficulties. Although I had academic understanding of social exclusion, the reality was far different from what I had expected.

One of the service users I was asked to work with was a young woman who had spent a larger proportion of her childhood in care. She had recently suffered a mental breakdown and lost custody of her young child to its father. Living in poverty, being a single mother and suffering with mental illness are all forms of social exclusion. I was asked to assist the service user with organising medical appointments and attending meetings. Working together, we made good progress in a relatively short time. On reflection, the work carried out was not done in terms of anti-oppressive practice. More emphasis should have been placed on allowing and encouraging the service user to act for themselves rather than having things done for them. Although this can be effective in the short term, in the long run it could form a sense of dependency for the service user.

The risk of the choices made by the service user should have been taken into consideration, and had it done so, it would have lessened the level of intervention. The child had been placed out of harm and the extent of the mental illness did not put the service user or the community at any immediate risk. Rather than daily support, it would have been more appropriate to invite the service user to discuss the situation they faced, the options available to them and the consequences of the choices available to them.

Anti-oppressive practice is about empowering people, promoting their right to make choices and working in partnership to reach an agreed outcome with the aim of improving their situation. People who are subject to the constraints of social exclusion are often denied these rights. Social workers are required by their code of practice to help service users take control over their own lives, promote independence and recognise that service user have a right to take risks. The nature of social exclusion makes it more likely that these individuals will, at some point in their lives, require intervention in the form of social care. By working with anti-oppressive practices, the effects of social worker intervention should leave a positive effect upon the service user.

In an ideal world their financial restraints would not affect the choices available to a service user, time and resources would be available to plan, consider and minimise risky situations making a wider range of services available. In the ever restricting financial climate, social worker are not afforded the luxury of such budgets and so must look at ways in which service user are still empowered and given as much choice as possible in how their situation is dealt with. As a profession, social workers should be moving more towards a ‘risk-taking’ approach and away from ‘risk aversion’.

Service users who live with social exclusion deserve to be given the tools and opportunity to improve their own situation; it is with tools such as anti-oppressive practice and a strong set of values and ethics that social workers can empower them to fight the social injustice they face.

Using PESTLE/Porter’s 5 Forces / Scenario Modelling or any other relevant identify the key strategic Macro challenges the Company faces.

Using Financial Analysis / Marketing Mix / Core Competencies / Balanced Scorecard or any other relevant tools, scan Network Rail’s Internal / Micro Environment to inentify the key Micro challenges the Company faces.

Pull your conclusions regarding parts 1 and 2 together in the form of a SWOT analysis. You could also identify what options an ANSOFF matrix for Network Rail would suggest are the most viable.

Given your analysis, what do you conclude about the relevance of the Key Objectives above (to earn and retain a mandate etc.) and

What should be the strategy of Network Rail in the coming 2-5 years? And what would be the vital few measures which would help to track progress toward achieving your suggested strategy.

Introduction

I have been employed in the UK Rail industry for over 30 years, and am currently based at Saltley Delivery Unit in Central Birmingham. My role is Infrastructure Maintenance Engineer, which gives me overall responsibility for all of the maintenance carried out by Netwrok Rail on its main infrastructure, which is the tracks and Signalling system connected to them. My geographic area of responsibility runs from London Marylebone, through Banbury and Birmingham Snow Hill and onto Droitwich Spa. I have 300+ staff reporting to me through a team of Engineers (3) and Section Managers (9), working out of two main depots, Saltley And Banbury, with smaller depots at Stourbridge, Whitacre, Leamington, Aylesbury, High Wycombe and London Marylebone.

Background

Network rail has been in existence since October 2002 when they took over the running of Britain’s Rail infrastructure from Railtrack. They currently employ over 35,000 people in various aspects of this work, from day to day maintenance to major renewal projects. In

Using PESTLE/Porter’s 5 Forces / Scenario Modelling or any other relevant identify the key strategic Macro challenges the Company faces

When you analyse the macro-environment, identification of the factors that might affect a number of vital aspects that will influence the supply and demand and costs of the company is critically important. (Kotter and Schlesinger, 1991; Johnson and Scholes, 1993)

Various checklists are in use as ways of cataloguing the vast number of possible issues that might affect different industries. A PESTLE analysis is one of that is merely a framework that categorises environmental influences as political, economic, social, technological, legal and environmental. PESTLE examines the likely impact of each of these factors on the industry. The results are then used to take investigate and enable opportunities and to be aware of and to make contingency plans for threats when building business strategy (Byars, 1991; Cooper, 2000).

In a recent study (1998), Kotler claims that PESTLE is a strategic tool that can be useful to help understand market growth and decline alongside business position, in order to decide on potential and future direction

The use of PESTLE analysis reveals that the major external influences upon Network Rail are:

POLITICAL : The recent change in Government could still have a far reaching effect upon Britain’s rail industry, the recent Comprehensive Spending Review has made sure that the industry must change and in a big way.

ECONOMIC : The current economic climate of the United Kingdom is such that a lot of passengers will be thinking of alternative ways to travel, low cost coach and bus services will have their appeal increased, albeit the long term prospects for rail travel are good, given the current lobby against road transport by the green parties. In order to remain an attractive alternative, the rail industry must compete economically with road transport.

SOCIAL : The major social concept in the UK Government’s Sustainable Development Strategy (DEFRA, 2005) is noted as: “ensuring a strong, healthy and just society”, but this can be split into six main aspects:

aˆ? Accommodating the diverse needs of the population both now and in the future;

aˆ? promoting personal well-being;

aˆ? encouraging social cohesion and inclusion;

aˆ? maintaining equal opportunities for everyone;

aˆ? promoting good governance; and

aˆ? engaging the creativity, energy and diversity of the people of Great Britain.

The Rail industry has a major part to play in the satisfaction of these social

goals. Increasingly the industry will be judged on delivering the services, and even more so on the way they are delivered. The UK Railways run alongside houses belonging to a vast array of the population, and it must be seen to engage correctly with all of its lineside neighbours. The industry must also be seen to be an employer that values it’s workforce and treats them correspondingly. Safety of the travelling public is a major social factor in the business, both those travelling by train and the road user that use any of the hundred of level crossings on the network each day. The key causes of accidents on the railway infrastructure are trespass and the misuse of level crossings.

TECHNOLOGICAL : The incredible speed of technology advances has a big effect on any transport industry. The likes of faster and more reliable broadband connections will increase the amount of work done by teleconferences and reduce travel to meetings. Faster and more efficient trains will effect upon the nature of Network Rails infrastructure, and compel the company to look at new ways to maintain the infrastructure, and new forms of powering the trains.

LEGAL : Legally Network Rail is governed by many bodies with an influence, including The Office Of Rail Regulators, The Health & Safety Executive, UK Government, Environment Agency.

ENVIRONMENTAL : Network Rail has a responsibility to maintain it’s infrastructure and the huge number of wildlife habitats alongside the railway. The company also has to become as “green” as possible, ensuring timber that they use is from sustainable sources, and that all depots and offices are committed to reduce their carbon footprint as much as is possible.

Porters Five Forces

The Porter’s Five Forces model is a simple tool that can be utilised to help strategic understanding where power lies in a business situation. The tool can also be used to understand both the strength of a company’s current competitive position, alongside the strength of a position the company may be looking to move into. The Five forces framework focuses on business concerns rather than public policy but it can also emphasise extended competition for value rather than just competition among existing rivals. The ease of its use has inspired numerous companies as well as business schools to adopt it. (Wheelen and Hunger, 1998).

If you have clear understanding of where your power currently lies, you are able to take advantage of a situation of strength or act to improve a situation of weakness.

Porters 5 Forces for Network Rail:

Supplier Power: For Network rail, it supplier power can be said to be relatively high, there is a very strict approvals process to go through before any item can be introduced into the infrastructure. This process can be time consuming and expensive for new suppliers and so those that already have this approval have a large amount of power to wield. There are also very few suppliers that provide the dedicated technology that is used to provide modern signalling systems which again will provide a great deal of supplier power.

Buyer Power: Buyer power with regard to Network Rail would be classed as low. The company is operating in somewhat of a monopoly, giving buyers very little flexibility to shop elsewhere for similar services. Network rail is therefore in a very strong position when it comes to dictating terms.

Competitive Rivalry: Other than companies providing engineering expertise with renewal of rail infrastructure, there are few firms who could provide the day to day expertise that Network Rail has in the safe running of the railway network in Great Britain. The number of staff employed by Network Rail (18,000+) would also be a barrier to the threat of substitution by smaller firms, not willing to take on the huge responsibility that employing this number of dedicated staff would present.

Threat of Substitution: The threat of substitution may be classed as medium as there may be alternatives to a rail system within GB. Other than Road Transport, there is very little realistic direct competition for the services that Network Rail provide. Road transport does present a certain amount of competitive rivalry to Network Rail, but there would be few that would be able to compete direct with leading the GB Rail network. Obviously this puts Network Rail in a position of great strength.

Threat of New Entry: The cost and time elements required for companies to be set up to provide effective competition to Network Rail would be barriers that would prevent this happening. For this reason the threat of New Entry is low.

Using Financial Analysis / Marketing Mix / Core Competencies / Balanced Scorecard or any other relevant tools, scan Network Rail’s Internal / Micro Environment to inentify the key Micro challenges the Company faces.

Using FiMO as discussed during the BES module of the Network Rail business leaders programme to scan the Internal or Macro Environment shows the following results:

FINANCE : Network Rails strengths are based around it’s huge asset base and its growing asset value. Network Rail also owns a massive property portfolio that can be used for diversification. The major weaknesses of Network Rail are based around possible Governmet spending cuts, the Recent Comprehensive spending review and Lord McNulty’s value for money report.

MARKET : Strengths – Currently the business is well thought of by relevant bodies including the Office Of The Rail Regulator, OFT and HSE (BES 2010)

Prime locations for retail developments, Achieving Control Period 4 (CP4) targets to date. Weaknesses – Internal financial process that makes it almost impossible to trade with other parts of the same company.

OPERATIONS – Strengths include an enviable safety record, both for it’s own workforce and for the travelling public. Delivery of it’s own promise “The Timetable is our Promise. When we Promise a train can run, it will run – safely, punctually and reliably. And we Promise that more trains are able to run next year.” Network Rail (2010)

Weaknesses -. The industry is perceived as difficult to work with, by others within the industry.

As part of the BES course a RECoiL exercise for Network Rail as a company was completed, the scores have been reproduced below.

Network Rail

Resources

8

Experiences

7

Controls and Systems

6

Ideas & Innovation

7

Leadership

6

This would seem to highlight issues within two main sectors, those being Controls & Systems and Leadership.

Controls and Systems

There is a school of thought that its processes are far too bureaucratic and that any change can only be effected over a long period of time. This may well have a bearing on the apparent issues with leadership

Leadership

There seems to be a large number of long serving railwaymen in supervisory and management positions. This has the effect of creating a resistance to change. There seems to be a feeling that the processes and procedures inflicted corporately are so rigid that they prevent innovation because of amount of bureaucracy in place.

Pull your conclusions regarding parts 1 and 2 together in the form of a SWOT analysis. You could also identify what options an ANSOFF matrix for Network Rail would suggest are the most viable.

According to Barney (1995), a SWOT analysis is a framework that points to the relevance of external and internal forces to give an understanding of the

sources of competitive advantage. SWOT analysis will help decide if the main problems facing a company revolve around a need to change its strategy, a need to improve its current strategy and the implementation of it, or both of the above.

The tool helps look at the company’s current performance (Strengths and

Weaknesses) and its future (Opportunities and Threats) by accounting

for the factors that exist in the external environment. The framework is a powerful and at times highly successful technique that can be applied to individuals, groups, teams, or organisations (David, 1997).

Introduction

The person who had a significant influence in our life is a person who we consider as a role model. It means the ideal which we would like to resemble. In my life I have to say that my mother, Sumatra was such a kind of model. My mother has most definitely been the biggest influence in my life. She is the only person who always told me to be who I am and had a positive influence in my life. However, I cannot say that I would like to be a copy of my mother or that I fully accept his principles and ideals. In fact, I believe that each person is unique. Anyway, I still appreciate the basic principles. Almost all the day of a person life is an experience. There is always a time in one’s life where a person significantly influenced. I admire my mother because she is the person love and care the most of me. My mother has been the sole guardian of me as long as I can remember. What turns me into the person who I am is all her action. My mum has been never thrown a harsh word or unnecessary punishment even though I have made decisions in the spite of those decisions. She has made me enjoy my life like no other person could.

WHAT KIND OF IMPACT SHE MAKE TO MY LIFE

She has taught me a lot. Due to my mother I learned that there are more important values than wealth and money that people should always remain truly human, regardless, of their environment and the hardships they face in their life. She has thought me how to be kind and loving but not to allow others to take my caring and kindness for weakness. She has also though me to dream big and do everything within my power to make those dreams a reality. First of all, I would like to say that my mother was a person who did not attempt to lecture me. Instead, he just talked to me as a person who had an extensive experience in his life and, frankly speaking I do not know why, I often agreed with her, even though, at first, I attempted to argue with her. Nevertheless, I believe that my mother did not just have a gift to persuade people but she rather made people respect him with his deeds more than with words.

EXPERIENCE AND PERSONALITY SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCED

On looking back into my past, I can hardly remember an episode where I would criticize actions of my mother. In this respect, I recall an episode from my childhood, when I was about to quarrel with my father and I felt really angry at that moment. In fact, I was about ten years old, when I wanted to take a recorder, but my mother totally rejected this idea. I remember that he did not forbid me to take a recorder, but rather persuade me that it would not be a good idea to bring a recorder to our house. At first, I could not agree with my father’s arguments, because I did not take them seriously. Now, I understand that my desire to take a recorder was stronger than my common sense. But my mother managed to persuade me that I was not to recorder at that time. When I first told my mother that I was going to take a recorder, she just asked me to talk like him about my decision. At first, he asked me why I was so eager to have a recorder. I did my best to explain that it would great to have a recorder, but in the course of conversation I understand with the help of my mother that if I took a recorder I would take a great responsibility, which I was not ready to take at the moment. My mother explained to me that I would responsible for the recorder I was going to take and it was the first time when I thought serious about effects of the decisions I was about to take. Eventually, I understand that I could not take care of the recorder.

In such way, I learned from my mother that we should be responsible for our actions because often it is the life as well of others that depend on our decisions and actions. This experience was very important for me and influenced my personality significantly.

WHAT KIND OF A PERSON IS MY MOTHER

My mother is a kind of person that anyone can look up to and say I would like to be like that. She could be described as a short quite round young looking lady although she is 48years old now with always very pretty. She is thin with her curly hair. She usually wears modern and traditional clothes. For me she is so beautiful. Most people describe her as an attractive lady. She is the kindhearted, caring and loving person that she has thought me to become. She is strong willed, hardworking and very dedicated to god. I know that she inspires others as well. She is a great business woman and a speaker with a passion to teach others what she feels life is truly about and I know that her meaning of life is a successful and inspirational way of life.

WHAT MAKES ME ADMIRE OF MY MOTHER

My mother gave me the originality of her character to study the steadiness of her virtues the power of her passions to admire, the truth of her feelings to trust, however, I know that my mother will always be by my side. In spite of this, my mother has never failed to believe that my siblings will soon recover from these setbacks. All these things she had, and for these things I clung to her. I grew up not feeling neglected but admiring my mother more and more for what she has done for my siblings, which I believe no one could have achieved. I admire her for being able to look after the wellbeing of the whole family in spite of this and never failing to be there for me whenever I needed her. Growing up with such a strong role model, I developed many of my enthusiasms. Thus, it is clear that the individual who has had the highest degree of influence on me is my mother. She never once complained about the sacrifices, which she had to make in order to help my siblings. The strength of her principles is evident in the way in which she raised my little siblings who needs the more attention because they are younger than me. I will always respect the influence that my mother has had on my life, and will endeavor to take all that she has taught me as the inspirational to be all that I can be in the pursuit of my dreams. Particularly my passion is to become successful business women. She dedicates me and my siblings most of her time educating us.

REASON WHY MY MOTHER HAS SIGNIFICANT INFLUENCE ON ME

My mother is the most important person in my life. I really cannot express how I feel about her in just words. My mother is not my whole life, but she is really big part of it. My whole world does not only revolve around her, but she is the most influential person who inspires me. My mother is not just another woman. She is extraordinary. I have known her for twenty-two years. I know her very well, and had learned to love her since she gave birth to me. Relatives always tell me stories about my birth. They tell me how important I was to my mom. I was the foundation of her joy, strength, peace and love. She has thought me all I need to know to live. In my life as a twenty-two years old girl I have learned a lot from my mother. She thought me how to feel and recover it. Well, she did not only do that. She showed me how to handle these feelings of anger, fear and sadness.

CONCLUSION

When asked who has had the most extraordinary influence on my life, the most obvious answer would be my mother. It took me all twenty-two years to realize that it is her influence that has molded me to become what I am today. Being a business woman, she has never failed to look after us well. She I the kind of mother who always insists on spending quality family time together, the backbone of the family and the kind of person who helps other children in the neighborhood with their difficulties in their life. She has been my first teacher, my best friend and a role model for the past twenty-two years of my life. In considering my mother’s position and influence as a role model.

3.0 INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community service is a performance volunteered by an individual or an organization. This action benefits a community or institution. Usually community services are done as part of an organized scheme. The true meaning of community service is when we do something without the intentions of getting money or a reward from someone else. The main aspect of community service is volunteering. Getting the satisfaction knowing that you are able to have some sorts of effect in someone’s life is some benefit of participating community service activity.

3.1 THE IMPORTANCE OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community service is important because it offers one the opportunity to give back to others and their community. It is important part of college experience and valuable. To view a local community, it is designed to expand while instilling the sense of purpose and pride regarding own interests and abilities. Community service has also become an important part of application in college. To select and separate their application and to determine which receives scholarships, admission officers use community service as a method in many colleges.

3.2 A VOLUNTEERING PROJECT THAT I WOULD DEVOTE

It is not a matter for me if I could devote my time to help peoples in need. I would be more satisfied if I could help student in their education by giving knowledge in school site without any expectation of rewards and money. By this, community service represent a voluntary activity for which are not paid and it helps to match interests, talents and abilities.

3.3 DEVOTE ONE YEAR SERVICE TO SCHOOL-SITE.

An excellent way of meeting the requirement for community service is volunteering and also it helps special needs of a school. I require choosing this kind of school site community service because it is committed to providing on-going support and assistance to the school. With the exception of elective courses in community service, in additionally service must not be completed as a part of regular school course in which a student receiving academic credit.

3.4 I WOULD HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH:

School site community services are included by a lot of activities. I would be accomplishing some student plans, coordinated and monitors a school wide letter writing campaign in support of an issue of local importance. I will also give a help on tutoring other student in their reading skills or math for a semester. With the efforts to implement and monitor community service

experiences, as a community service aide to an appropriate teacher or counselor and assistance I would be accomplishing.

3.5 VALUEABLE PART OF COLLEGE EXPERINCE

With my experience I found it very meaningful to engage my spirit through serving other by giving a community service. Already many students have an experience with community service before coming to college. For my opinion, to spend time with friends while working for a valuable cause, it was required as a part of college curriculum, and others chose to do it to get more experience involving community service. With these I as a student arrive on campus seeking familiar opportunities. In this case, other students of in the college who never been done with any community service maybe interested in trying something new, or will be looking a different way to make friends. Most probably community service organization welcome new members year-round, weather a person have a prior experience or not.

Some students only like to do community service individually, perhaps by tutoring children at local worship center or elementary school. Some activities like running clinics or organizing park cleanup programs often perform by athletes as a part of team membership. But community service is completed through established organizations by most of the college students.

3.5.1 INCLUDE OF ORGANIZATION IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

Some community service organization includes Alpha Phi Omega, Circle K, and Habitat for Humanity, Best Buddies, Amnesty International, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Through local agencies student are interested in doing other types of service to do work. There is list of such agencies to get involve with community service and religious life offices which includes several opportunities. These opportunities are providing literacy programs, food banks, domestic violence shelters, public libraries, and homeless shelters. In terms of time and emotional energy, they are tremendously rewarding students for involve significant commitment rottenly. I would prefer volunteering opportunity not to represent on my campus, consider organizing a group of students and pursuing resources to help me engage in that service. I would accomplish to provide greatly enrich college experience by having a positive effect on community, and will leave with many fond memories.

3.6 BENEFITS OF STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

Public school youths had a positive effect on the personal development in community service.

Mostly showing increases in measures of personal and social responsibility, communication and sense of educational competence are engaged in quality service learning programs. Ranking responsibilities are more important value and reports a higher sense of responsibility to college than comparison groups who engage in service-learning.

Most probably, students perceive themselves to be more socially competent after engaging in service-learning. Highly ranking, student who involved in service learning were more likely to treat each other kindly, help each other and care about doing their best. Also these students will more likely increase their sense of self-esteem and self-efficacy.

3.7 BENEFITS OF VOLUNTARING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

Community service benefits others in some ways although it is apparent, before creating and maintaining widespread programs. Students exactly benefited by participating in these community service activities. Research has been done greatly on this subject, resulting in evidence for many kinds of benefits. The most significant gains reported are psychological, social, and cognitive benefits experienced by students.

3.7.1 PSYCOLOGICAL BENEFITS:

Sources indicate that students have shown increases in positive feelings and mental health, and decreases in depression and stress.

3.7.2 SOSIAL BENEFITS

I forge bonds with each other by participating in community service project as well as other members of the community. These bonds enhance increase my social network in my interpersonal skills. Socially volunteerism can lead to increase care for others and a desire to cooperate and get involved in positive ways, even among those who had previously exhibited antisocial tendencies. Another major benefit is the feeling of social connectedness that appears to be winning in increasingly in segmented society.

3.7.3 COGNITIVE BENEFIT

We learn something new every day. Volunteering definitely holds true. Old skills are developed as new ones are learned with new experiences. With past experiences, new information I integrated and one’s knowledge base improve. The lesson learned from volunteering frequently support and enriches understanding of how the community is set up to function additionally. A large part of the reason for incorporating volunteering and community service into various curricular and require cognitive gains.

3.8 CRITICAL THIKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING SKILLS IN COMMUNITY SERVICE

To determine what needs to be done while develop mentally appropriate level of responsibilities in situation which young people learn the most. A responsibility of decision making in a task that is interesting and important to students has given the opportunities. They tend to think more deeply about the issues at hand and use their most complexes thinking skills to solve problems arise in community service. The critical thinking seeks to help faculty move beyond teaching contents and into teaching students to apply complex cognitive skills across a range of topics problems. Faculty participating in this community service will learn strategies for teaching students how to think critically and creatively to solve a problem that arise in a part of discussion in community service. They will develop activities that can be used in the classroom to develop our critical thinking.

4.0 CONCLUSION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE

The major goal of community service in school site explores the comparative effects of service learning and the cognitive and affective development of college undergraduates. It is to enhance our understanding of how community service is enhanced at school site learning service. As what I know thirty percent of students participated in community service during college, and an additional forty-six percent participated in some other form of community service. The remaining 24 percent did not participate in any community service during college. The impact of community service was assessed on several dependent. These are academic outcomes, values, self-efficiency, leadership, career plans to participate in further community service in college. Freshmen are the most outcomes which were presented when a student entered the membership of community service. Subsample of student for who standardized test scores is additional outcome.

For both freshmen characteristics and institutional I Multivariate control were used. In-depth case studies of community service on campus are qualitative portion of community service.

To pursue a career in a service field, service participation appears to have its effects on the student’s decisions. The positive effect of community service can be explained. The fact that participation in community service increase the likelihood that student will discuss their experiences with each other and that students will receive emotional support from faculty.

There have been issues of inequality for centuries such as oppression, discrimination, and prejudices. The government has the task of making certain that those laws are set in place to protect those when conflicts of social justice arise “But the government is a reflection of the majority’s will, so there has been and continues to be a struggle to achieve social justice in our society” (Segal, 2010, p. 93). When it comes to social issues and or problems on behalf of society, individuals and society has a responsibility for the well-being of others. The development of social welfare programs and policies happens by responding when the problem already exists and by preventing the problem before it arises.

Final Exam Essay Questions

Our society as I see it has always been one that has appeared to be a nation concerned with the well-being of members of mainstream society, yet we have always had issues that embark on social justice and inequality for non-mainstream members of society. However we have had those individuals that were and are willing to battle for fairness, advocate and aid those that are in need, single handedly and as an assemblage effort such as the social work profession. As an inspiring social worker I ask, what is the concept of social justice? Moreover, why is it relevant to social work practice, which is responsible for a person’s well-being an individual or society? In addition, I will show the differences between residual and institutional approaches to social welfare policy and programs, for these two models respond when the problem already exist and help prevent problems before they occur.

.
What is the Concept of Social Justice? And why it is Relevant to Social Work Practice

As a member of a society, each member should have all the same rights, opportunities, and fairness within. The concept of social justice is society fairness. “Social justice describes the level of fairness that exists in society” (Segal, 2010, p.14). All members in society have the right to this level of fairness. The description, in which our society upholds social justice, unfortunately is not what we all live by. There have been issues of inequality for centuries such as oppression, discrimination, and prejudices.

Fairness has not been our strongpoint among each other. The government has the task of making certain that those laws are set in place to protect those when conflicts of social justice arise with attaining fairness, same opportunities, and rights. “But the government is a reflection of the majority’s will, so there has been and continues to be a struggle to achieve social justice in our society” (Segal, 2010, p. 93). For this reason, social justice has been essential and relevant to social work practice. Social work practice will bring forward those who will advocate, and help to set policies in place to help protect, promote, and advance change for those individuals that struggle with having the same rights and basic human needs that all deserve to have as a member of society,

Social workers should be aware of the impact of the politi-cal arena on practice and should advocate for changes in policy and legislation to improve social conditions in order to meet basic human needs and promote social justice (Segal, 2010, p. 70).

Social work practice works towards changing social conditions, a crucial part of that change is taking the responsibility to improve the social welfare of our society.

Who is Responsible for People’s well-being Each Individual or Society?

Who is responsible for people’s well-being, individuals, or society? The responsibility of a person’s well-being is societies as well as in individual. As a member of society, we have social obligations when it comes to social issues and or problems on behalf of society. Community programs, religious institutions, for-profit and non-profit organizations are in the business of promoting and supporting the well-being of individuals as a person, however from a social work perspective some would beg to differ when it comes to a for-profit organization working toward the well-being of others for it is a private service. For-profit agencies focus is to profit from the services they provide and they provide it from a business principle, therefore even though an individual may need the service they possibly will not receive it if they cannot afford the cost of service. Their mission and the concern drive non-profit social services and care of those, they serve, despite the cost. From a social work perspective, this is ideal for anyone can get the service needed and knowingly the client is going to get the best care possible.

In the Federal, state and local governments there are government agencies and social welfare programs in place to contend with the efforts with providing for the well-being of society, such as Social security, Medicaid and Medicare. “As social work professionals, we have a mission that outlines public support and therefore the provision of social welfare services directly or in partnership with our government” (Segal, 2010, p.89). Basic human needs such as housing, healthcare, and food are some of the biggest social issues in our society. At one time most of the social welfare services were in the private sector by the government. Yet many services, such as providing schools for children, including those with disabilities and metal issues cannot be services by a private sector. Many families are unable to afford the cost therefore public services are needed when it comes to the well-being of people, “Much of the work done by public social service providers would not be done by private organizations” ( Segal, 2010, p. 83).

These social issues bring social welfare policies in to play, “Social welfare programs are the product of social welfare policies” (Segal, 2010, p. 3) When society does not take action to change issues and problems, that exists for people, then individuals step in and attempt to make the change come to pass. It will take individuals and society responsibility for the well-being of others, by public, private social services and through other ways and means. The values and beliefs of those who practice social work, is based on professional principles, ethics and driven by promoting social change for the betterment of social welfare of others and to promote the well-being of others by social welfare policies.

What are the Differences between Residual and Intuitional Approaches to Social welfare policy?

The development of social welfare programs and policies happens by responding when the problem already exist and preventing the problem before it arise, these two approaches is known as residual and intuitional approach. Members of our society confuse the term welfare; they see it as handicap-keeping individuals from moving forward and becoming productive and self-sufficient. The truth is social welfare is to help members in society by addressing their well-being in any area needed, not just monetary or providing food by a residual or intuitional approach, however there are differences between the two.

Residual approach to social welfare policy is provided only when needs are not met by other institutions, families, religious institutions and is viewed as negative. When people are unable to address the problem themselves, then emergency assistance is given once the problem is identified. This is looked at as an individual’s personal issue, not society as a whole. It is a means of intervention. It sees the poor as incompetent, second-class citizens and provides second-class services. The residual welfare is looked upon as the problem of the ‘unfortunate classes’ through middle and upper class benevolence. An example of residual approach would be Work organizations primary function is employment and the social welfare service would be unemployment benefits, which are in the area of residual approach, for the unemployment is the existing problem yet it is only in place temporary, until a person can become employed or other means of financial support.

Institutional approach to social welfare policy is proactive and no stigma is attached, for difficulty is bound to present itself for an individual, therefore it is looked upon as normal to need assistance. Social problems are rooted in social structure and hence planned social change, and seen as a normal and accepted way of fulfilling social needs. It is seen as a preventative effort to a person’s well-being, set in place automatically for society as a whole. An example of intuitional would be national, regional and local government organization primary function mobilization and distribution of goods for collective goals has a social welfare function of anti poverty, economic security, health, education such as government scholarship programs and subsidizes for housing which falls into the area of preventive services.

If we looked at the residual and intuitional approach of social welfare policy by a universal and selective approach, selectively only those who would fall into the criteria needed to qualify for services would be provided therefore even though an individual may need the service now they would not receive it. For this can lead to a permanent problem for an individual. Universally any and everyone would receive the service, which would prevent problems for society.

Conclusion

Social work practice works towards changing social conditions, a crucial part of that change is taking the responsibility to improve the social welfare of our society and individuals. Members of society have social obligations when it comes to social issues and or problems on behalf of society. Social welfare policies and programs are society’s safety net, provide a way to set preventions and interventions in place to help and protect those in need. In order to receive you have to be willing to give, and to help one another collectively and individually.

Psychiatric disorders can lead to many types of problems. These problems can range from housing instability to disease, and even death. Having a disorder and lack of stable living conditions most often further complicates the overall health and the care this is a bit confusing for a homeless adult. Without the proper health care, the mind will become even more unstable. This does not automatically follow logically. Individuals with severe mental illness soften most times with homelessness because of their inability to accomplish daily tasks and earn money. Mental illness is serious and severe and can have a domino effect on one’s life and those surrounding the individual. The hand in hand relationship that homelessness shares with mental illnesses are disturbing. One of the many mental disorders that can lead to homelessness is Schizophrenia.

Stating that an individual has a mental illness can be interpreted many ways, however, it is usually defined and understood as a psychological disease or disorder. The severity of the illness determines how much of an individual’s daily functioning will be affected. The ability to care for one’s self, a home or household and the ability to maintain an intimate relationship are lost. Homeless people with mental disorders remain homeless for longer periods of time and begin to have less contact with family and friends. Mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression, can cause a strain on family and other social relationships (Hawkins and Abrams 2007). Studies have examined what the quality of life is like after discovering that one has a mental illness, those who become homeless and other studies focus mainly on treatment options. Suffering from a mental illness makes it more difficult to gain employment. Having poor health also cripples the individual’s desire to seek help, and whether they can receive help or not is another issue.

Studies that take a deeper look into the rates of homelessness could lead to better treatment and help. It is especially important to study mentally ill homeless individuals that have substance abuse since these individuals are one of the most disadvantaged groups among homeless persons (Levine and Huebner 1991). There is no one explanation as to why an individual who is mentally ill will begin abusing their bodies with drugs, it is known though that when substance abuse and mental illness are combined contact with law enforcement is inevitable. All people with mental disorders, including those who are homeless, require ongoing access to a full range of treatment and rehabilitation services to lessen the impairment and disruption produced by their condition (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 2003). Most people with the mental disorder do not need hospitalisation, what they do need is better housing options and more treatment options and but can live in the community with the appropriate supportive housing options. Further studies do show however that these community-based services are far and few in between and there is not enough housing to accommodate the growing number of patients affected by a mental illness.

The hardest challenge to face with helping mentally ill patients is that the illness causes other cognitive problems. Dr Yuodelis Flores states that “the most serious barrier to treatment is lack of insight,” persons with serious mental illness may not understand that they are ill and need care. Severe and persistent mental illnesses (SPMI) – including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression and dementia – impair judgment, conceptual understanding and the capacity to make appropriate behaviour decisions (HCH Clinician’s Network, 2000). A patient, who is now learning of their illness, reacts irrationally and with anger and then instead of trying to understand the illness they just shut out those closest to them.

Schizophrenia is a serious disorder of the mind and brain but it is also highly treatable. There is a constant flow of improvement on the medications for this illness. In addition to that, there are many new and improving psychosocial treatments and cognitive therapies for schizophrenia that are being tested and approved for use. One of the theories of what causes schizophrenia is that it is a result of a genetic predisposition combined with environmental exposures and or stress (The Internet Mental Health Initiative, 1996-2010). Stress can trigger a preexisting illness into existence, which in the case of Schizophrenia makes sense in terms of one having a genetic predisposition to the disease. Schizophrenia-like most other illnesses do not develop until after the age of 18, however, an age range is given due to the fact that illnesses have developed earlier in some. Men tend to develop schizophrenia slightly earlier than women; whereas most males become ill between 16 and 25 years old, most females develop symptoms several years later, and the incidence in women is noticeably higher in women after age 30 (The Internet Mental Health Initiative, 1996-2010). Taking a closer look at an individual’s support system also determines if a homeless result is possible. Mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia or severe depression, can cause a strain on family and other social relationships (Hawkins and Abrams 2007).

Society is well aware of homeless people, but many are unaware of the reasons why and then many do not care to know the reason. When a homeless individual is seen many shy away especially if that homeless individual is acting out. This passive attitude towards the homeless does not help them nor does it help society. In 2002 the cost of schizophrenia was estimated to be $62.7 billion, with $22.7 billion excess direct health care cost $7.0 billion outpatient, $5.0 billion drugs, $2.8 billion inpatients, and $8.0 billion long-term care (The Internet Mental Health Initiative, 1996-2010). Being out of sight and out of mind, these numbers do not reflect the homeless. About 1% of the population is affected by Schizophrenia (The Merck Manuals, 2008). Schizophrenia affects men and women equally having no racial or socioeconomic preference. In the United States, schizophrenia accounts for about 1 of every 5 Social Security disability days and 2.5% of all health care expenditures (The Merck Manuals, 2008).

Brandt (1995) studied how actively working with homeless who are suffering from schizophrenia can better their lives. He focused on the “bag ladies” as they are deemed social outcast as they have a tendency to act out when help is offered. Quite outspoken about his distaste on societies role in helping those in need, he began to roam the streets gathering individuals to be a part of his study. 35 homeless individuals were chosen between the ages of 22 and 70 and consisted of 17 women and 18 men. The results were significant enough to show that being proactive with these individuals is helpful no matter the age or gender. The only remaining issue however with treating homeless individuals just like with any other patient, is the need to want treatment. When someone is in need of help in whatever form of therapy needed, it is the patient that makes the initiative and this is unable to be the case with homeless individuals. Brandt (1995) acknowledged that “Many different groups must be involved in the work. [This includes], psychiatrists, hospitals, general practitioners and the entire social welfare system. And the best possible contact must be maintained with the patient” (p. 1).

Antipsychotic drugs, rehabilitation, and psychotherapy are the major parts of treatment. Community support activities, such as job coaching, teach the skills needed to survive in the community. These skills enable people with schizophrenia to work, shop, care for themselves, manage a household, and it also rehabilitates their social abilities. Hospitalisation is seen more when patients relapse. Forced hospitalisation is also rare and is only seen when the individual is a threat to themselves or others (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2006). The death rate for homeless people is about four times greater than the rate for the general population and among young homeless men, the rate is even higher (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2006). According to the National Coalition for the Homeless (2006), “average homeless adults die twenty years earlier than their non-homeless counterparts. Over half of homeless adults die violently and one-quarter of those is murdered” (p.2). The appropriate housing can provide the framework necessary to end homelessness for many individuals (National Coalition for the Homeless, 2006).

A study done in 2002 by Folsom, McCahill, Bartels, Lindamer, Ganiats and Jeste not only examined the death rate in schizophrenic homeless individuals, but they then compared the preventative and primary care to those with severe depression. While depression is a mental illness, it does not cripple one’s abilities the way that schizophrenia does. The stages of withdrawal from friends and family are the same, however an individual with depression is more likely able to describe their feelings to a doctor, and there is no stigma placed on this illness like those with schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients can go undiagnosed for years and then when they are, many providers are uncomfortable with treating them and some do not even see a point. Folsom et al state that (2002) “serious mental illnesses, including schizophrenia, are much more common among homeless people than in the general population. Investigations have consistently found higher rates of substance abuse, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression among homeless people than in the general population” (p.1). This is why preventive treatment is very important along with better housing. The growing number of homeless people is unknown, implementing better shelters that can provide the mental treatment needed will be a big step in helping these people. Folsom et al also noted that there is a direct correlation with schizophrenia and homelessness with death, “the age-adjusted mortality rate for people with schizophrenia is about two times that of the general population; cardiovascular disease is the most common cause of death among people with schizophrenia. Homeless people have been reported to have a mortality rate [that is] 3.5 times as high as that of the general population” (p.1).

With this study and with all studies, the best care depends on the patient to supply the proper medical history along with any medical symptoms. Middle-aged and older homeless people with schizophrenia received less primary and preventive health care and were treated for fewer chronic medical problems than a comparison group with depression (Folsom, McCahill, Bartels, Lindamer, Ganiats, & Jeste, 2002). Going forward with other research, monitoring the health care of schizophrenics should be compared to all the different types of mental illnesses as well as comparing them to those who have no mental illness at all.

Any one of the homeless people that you see on a daily basis can be suffering from a mental illness, that fact is quite disturbing. It is something that should not be taken lightly for it comes in many forms and can affect anybody. Being able to identify the symptoms and seeking help is a key fundamental towards regaining your health back. There still is great difficulty in caring for schizophrenics and the only way for it to get better is to continue the research and find ways for all the branches in the healthcare system to work together so that the patient can have the best treatment available. In the next 20 years hopefully, there will be a cure for all types of mental illness that we see today until being able to understand what it means for those who are suffering is just as important.

I have always been deeply committed to helping others, especially helping those who come from similar backgrounds such as mine. Several experiences have stimulated my attraction to the field of social work. The first step towards my passion to study social work was formed when I was about four. My parents were unfit to raise my siblings and me, which consequently led to foster care. At age four I had no idea that day would lead me on the path of becoming an effective agent for social work. While in foster care, I met some amazing social workers who went beyond the call of duty. My social workers were talented, committed, and hard working. As I became older, my interest in social work grew. I started asking my social workers how do I become a social worker. In so many words, they explained that I have to do well in school, and go to college. While in college, I can major in the field of social work or closely related field. My social workers were my first insight to what a social worker is and what a social worker does. The fact that my social workers were committed to my well-being and pushed me to my full potentials demonstrated their concern for me as well as their ethical commitment. Secondly, are the three premises on which social work is based on. Which are very straightforward. First is that the person or group is important. The person or group has a problem that may arise from many different factors, and lastly finding a solution to help solve those problems so that person or group can live a better life. Finally, is the range of opportunities for a social worker in the field of social work. Social workers can be found in hospital, schools, community health agencies, and international organizations just to name a few. I give my social workers credit for the knowledge they have shared with me as well as encouraging me to reach my personal goals to become a social worker.

2. What influences, persons, or work/life experiences guide your choice of social work as a profession?

I have not always been the strong confident person I am today. My outside involvements were my social workers, and independent living coordinator. They play a huge role in my influence to study social work and to become a social worker. Sometimes I often wonder

how different my life would be now without my social workers involvement. I adopted many things from my social workers, things such as how to be compassionate and caring towards others, how to set and reach my goals, as well as how to be a hard worker.

Some people fail to realize the impact of encouraging words to others. I can remember when I was in the twelfth grade my social worker Tameko was picking my sister and me up from school to help us fill out some important paper work for college. On the way home, she explained to us that we are smart and beautiful girls who can be anything we put our minds to. Do not let our circumstances define who we are. That moment of encouragement has not only stuck with me but has changed the way I think about my life. I then realized that I determine my future and should not be ashamed of my parents mishaps. Studies show that the cycle of poverty repeats it self for at least three generations. I new at a young age I did not want to repeat the cycle of abuse, poverty, and addiction so I worked hard to accomplish my goals. In practice, I have had an opportunity to work with Independent Living Program. Which is a program that helps youth ages 14-21 with career training, educational opportunities, personal finance, job-hunting skills, independence skills, and so much more. I also took a Counseling Practicum class, which gave me an opportunity to observe and experience working within the Augusta Pregnancy Center. Which is a non-profit agency that provides services to women who are facing challenging situations? In this course, I was able to learn the specific skills required to care for the women and their unborn child, ethical principles, and ethical standards. These experiences has only increased me love for the field of social work and given me valuable experiences working with women and children.

3. Discuss personal strengths you possess which will make you an effective helping person.

I chose social work, but in retrospect, I think social work chose me too. I often wonder what kind of career I would be interested in if I was never in foster care. My own personal background would make me an effective helping person. Growing up in the foster care system I will be able to relate to the youth and families I will be serving. I know what it feels like to be sent to different foster families. I know how it feels being afraid to trust people and being afraid to talk about being in foster care. I believe that children who have been abused and neglected find it difficult to trust people. I believer children in foster care would feel a sense of understanding, being that I have came from similar backgrounds. My personal strengths that I posse are the willingness to help others unconditionally. My social workers were very committed to me, and I want to share that same commitment with others who are vulnerable. My experience has taught me how to be non-judgmental, how to demonstrate empathy, and how my improbable journey can inspire others. In addition, my undergraduate study in Psychology-Counseling has provided me with a better understanding of why people think, feel, and act the way they do. I believe that understanding the behaviors of people is very important tool to posses in the fields of social work. I also understand the importance of volunteering to help improve my community and neighborhood. I am currently a foster care club member as well as an on line message board member for foster care. I also volunteer in the Jefferson County Public School system and Woodhaven Place social committee. Volunteering is one of my most rewarding experiences for me and it gives me an opportunity to help my community as well as gaining skills to better help others. With my experiences during my undergraduate studies and currently I know that social work as a profession is ideal for me.

4 Discuss your vulnerabilities as these influence your development as a professional social worker. Specifically discuss any history of substance abuse, problems in a work setting, criminal activity, and/or help-seeking for personal issues.

We are all vulnerable at any given point in time because of life circumstances. For example, illness, humiliation, harassment, natural disasters, poverty and abuse; however, some of us are more vulnerable than others. In my case, I was susceptible to physical abuse and neglect which has made me a strong person. My life experiences has not crippled me, but has inspired my concentration in public welfare so I can serve others. My past vulnerabilities will help me because they provide me with a better empathy of what children and families are going through in disadvantage situations. I thank God for my fears. One of my biggest fears in life was to end up like my parents. My fear has led me to never have an interested in drinking or using drugs. I never had any problems in a work setting nor have I had any criminal activities. I never seek any professional help for any personal problems that I have had in the past, however, there was a group that I was involved in call ILP that stands for Independent Living Program. This organization is amazing. This is where I met my Independent Living Coordinator who has been such an influential role model. The Independent Living Program is where I got my voice. In this program, I learned how to be more confident as well as how to share my life story with other youth that were in similar situations as me. I think this program help me cope with the personal issues that I was experiencing at that time.

5. Describe your special work practice as you anticipate it five years from now.

Five years from now I see myself helping abused and neglected children who are in need of a positive social worker. This is with out a doubt the right vocation for me. I am passionate about working with this selected group, because of my own personal experience as an abused and neglected child. I have a special place in my heart for children especial those who are suffering because of their parentsaˆ™ inability to protect and provide for them. I often wished I had a magic wand to protect the kids who are being abused, but realist I do not. However, what I can do is take the necessary steps to become an accomplished social worker, which will enable me to help protect children from all forms of child abuse. In the years ahead, I also see myself volunteering to help educate foster parents on how to be equipped foster parents. To often there are foster kids placed with families who are not properly trained. In order for me to succeed in my endeavors towards protecting children, I realize that a masteraˆ™s degree in the field of social work is essential. After attending your information sessions, I had the opportunity to better understand how Spalding University can help me reach my academic and personal goals. I became more aware of the importance of social work principles. I was able to learn more about your Masteraˆ™s in Social Work program. I was so impressed with Spaldingaˆ™s devotion and history to their Social Work program. I am very excited about learning the fundamentals which will help me sharpen my skills as I pursue my dream of becoming a professional social worker as well as sharing my knowledge. I look forward to using the knowledge and skills that I will develop at Spalding University to help abused and neglected children reach their greatest potentials. I promise to uphold and exceed all that is expected of a student at Spalding University, as well as a professional social worker.