Professional Portfolio SOWK14005 Assessment 3

Reflexive Practice week 4

 

Assertive Communication

The social work values are based upon the practitioner acting as an advocate and in the best interests of their client by promoting; human rights, social justice, respecting their clients and their clients values, beliefs, culture, spirituality and identity.

Social workers are required to collaborate with other professionals, to engage in the community they have responsibilities to society which include; ‘engaging in action to promote societal and environmental wellbeing, advocate for equitable distribution of resources and effect positive  social change in the interests of social justice’ (Australian Association of Social Workers 2010, p.20). As a responsibility to themselves, their clients and the profession social workers are required to have regular supervision, this requires the practitioner to be self aware and confident in their communicatiSocion skills. This communication confidence is also necessary to engage with clients, build a professional worker / client relationship and to promote positive change for their clients.

If the practitioner found themselves in a situation of conflict; with a client, client’s family member, other professional or group situation, it would be necessary to utilise assertive communication skills to ‘constructively confront and discover a mutually satisfying solution’, (Worklife Matters 2011).

 

References

Australian Association of Social Workers 2010, The code of ethics, Canberra

Worklife Matters 2011, Assertive communication six tips for effective use, Worklife matters focus on occupational social work, viewed online 14th March 2012,

http://www.worklife-matters.com/article/assertive-communication-6-tips-for-effective-use