An important skill for all social workers is the ability to critically reflect upon the work they are engaged in. MSW IV-E students are asked to keep a field journal to reflect on growth, experiences, strengths, challenges, difficulties, successes, supervision, etc. from their field placement. At times, they write about integration of theory into practice, classroom into field (or field back to classroom).
Below is an excerpt from one student’s journal this past week as she reflects on her first experiences observing court.
“I had my first experience in child protection court today and it was quite the process. One of the biggest things that stood out to me was the fact that social workers have to play two sides a lot of the time and court can make that an interesting process. How do you build a relationship, rapport and trust and at the same time go into a court room where many perspectives and desires are divided?
It was really interesting to observe my county supervisor talk with the family before court started and then during court, consult in whispers to the County Attorney who was arguing against what the father was saying he wanted. It was obvious that the County Attorney was stating my supervisor’s perspective and it really opened my eyes to the many hats a Child Protection social worker has to play and that many times they may compromise a positive working relationship with a client. I was really impressed by my supervisor because after the hearing she went to talk to the mom and dad and it seemed that she was able to connect with them and be an understanding support. I feel like I am learning a lot about the art of social work in seeing my supervisor balance her role in court and her priority on the safety and well-being of the child, while at the same time offering support and advocacy for the parents. “
You state working with MSW students and yet there are many with Bachelors Degrees and other degrees of work that have successfully made their way through the same ‘teachings’. My biggest complaint with Social WORK is that people tend to think YOU need A COLLEGE PIECE OF PAPER to be successful in the field.
The SKILL SET should actually be the determining factor when interviewing for a person who can put ‘PRACTICUM’ into practice. So many times I have seen people hired with a degree who FAIL MISERABLY at working with the cases they are assigned. They have NO or LITTLE life experience, they have never been in situations their clients are forced to live in, they determine goals based on THEIR PERSONAL BIAS. Please, Please, don’t continue to encourage EDUCATION over SKILL SETS.
Thank you for following our blogs, and we appreciate your response, Donna. We want to clarify that the Field Notes blog’s purpose is to provide a space for students currently in the U of MN IV-E MSW program to reflect and share some of their thoughts, observations and experiences from their child welfare field placements. We acknowledge and agree that there are many outstanding and effective people working within MN Child Welfare systems who come from diverse and varied life and educational backgrounds. Students in our program come from a wide range of life and work experiences and perspectives. We hope this helps clarify the context for this blog series.
You have no idea how the family feels betrayed by the CPS worker due to this! Many family members have nothing to do with the child being taken yet they are still treated deceivingly. And ICWA LAW? It is quite the joke considering it makes the best intere s the of the native child null and void! All that matters is the best interest of the tribe! Deplorable!
Thank you for your comment Gayla. The role of a child protection social worker is complex and each family’s situation is important and unique. Child Protection social workers must continuously balance striving for safety for children and engaging and supporting families, which at times are at odds with one another. We want to clarify that the Field Notes blog provides a space for students currently in their MSW program to reflect on aspects of their experiences as they are in their child welfare field placements. We do not disagree with you that families may feel betrayed when their social worker’s recommendation is at odds with the family’s wishes.