Overview
Social work is a way to address the needs of a specific vulnerable population. Working with various people, social workers provide help, assistance, and support in challenging life situations. In the UK, a significant amount of social work is focused on improving the well-being of children and older adults. Providing support for the harmonious development of children and the control and assistance to families is recognized as a necessity for the proper development of society. Social work with older adults predominantly addresses an independent and quality life. The joint efforts of various social support services make it possible to ensure a harmonious society in the UK.
Social Work Provision for Children
Social services must protect and promote the well-being of children and their parents. Social workers promoting the welfare of children in the UK provide a wide range of services in the home setting aimed at supporting families (NHS Choices, 2020). A social worker is a specially trained professional who addresses the problems of population groups, relying on psychological knowledge and awareness of their unique needs (Garvey, 2021). Social services are aimed both at removing children from unfavorable conditions of detention and at helping parents who have encountered difficulties in children’s upbringing. Various departments of social services can work together to address the needs of a particular family.
Social work to support children and youth is considered one of the priorities for ensuring the public well-being of UK citizens. The first step in providing social assistance to a particular family is an assessment of applicants to determine the scope of necessary work (NHS Choices, 2020). Children’s services are in close contact with parents and assist in decision-making to help parents not to feel alienated from their children.
Another critical area of work of the social worker is family support and promoting well-being (Bunting, n.d.). This social services category includes parenting assistance, daycare and housework to reduce the burden on parents. The UK has a well-developed network of support services such as Family Lives, Gingerbread, and Young Minds for Parents (NHS Choices, 2020). These organizations provide counseling services to parents who have experienced difficulties while providing parental care.
Children with special educational needs and disabilities represent a separate category of the vulnerable population who require additional support. Parents of such children can count on assistance and information from local educational and healthcare facilities (NHS Choices, 2020). Caring for a child with additional needs should include providing affordable support and raising awareness for parents whose child has been diagnosed with a chronic illness (NHS Choices, 2020).
The authorities are also responsible for monitoring the living conditions of children living with foster parents. For example, the Family Rights Group offers families independent, specialized information and advice about children in care (NHS Choices, 2020). Such families may receive additional counseling and services from a social worker.
Social work aimed at helping children and parents is large-scale and significant. The family can use a wide range of services if necessary. However, some parents experiencing difficulties may have legitimate concerns about seeking help from social workers (NHS Choices, 2020). Since social services are primarily aimed at protecting the well-being of children, parents may be afraid of removing their child from the family. The need to promote children’s well-being must be coupled with a desire to help families cope with the problems independently and become more successful parents.
Social Work Provision for Adults
Social work to help adults in the UK mainly aims to assist and ensure the well-being of older people and their families. In this case, social services may include medical assistance, but this line of work is aimed directly at providing practical support (Healthwatch, 2021). Through social work with this population group, older people can continue the independent life they are used to. Social assistance services for the elderly are usually provided at home or in nursing homes rather than in hospitals.
The first step in providing adult social assistance is a needs assessment process. For example, NHS Continuing Healthcare includes an assessment process separate from local government evaluation procedures (Healthwatch, 2021). Based on such an assessment, it will be possible to determine whether a person is eligible for free social assistance or will need to pay expenses.
However, under the latest Social Security reform, there was a clear understanding of the maximum amount that could be claimed: £86,000 (Healthwatch, 2021). Free independent consultations are conducted, for example, by the Beacon organization (Healthwatch, 2021). A person can count on social assistance if they are elderly, have chronic diseases or disabilities, and in other cases in which additional care is required.
Social services for adults can provide a wide range of assistance. These may include support for developing skills for independent living and direct help with certain activities that a person cannot perform independently (Healthwatch, 2021). Social workers help with household chores and provide small personal assignments (Staff Writer, 2022). This assistance category also includes cleaning, cooking, or buying necessary goods (Community Care Inform Adults, 2021).
A significant layer of services is the organization of an older adult’s physical, leisure, or social activities (Healthwatch, 2021). This work category includes helping people connect with others to find support. Age UK, Independent, and Citizens Advice organize various advisory services (Healthwatch, 2021). Social services may also provide equipment and essential gadgets to facilitate movement around the home and other vital devices.
Social work with adults is mainly aimed at organizing an independent life for the elderly and assisting adults with chronic or temporary health problems. The services provided by social workers are significant for raising awareness, making life more accessible, and ensuring moral and physical assistance (Healthwatch, 2021). However, other social groups in the adult population may not receive enough attention. In addition, the category of citizens who can receive free assistance is narrow and strictly regulated. Citizens who cannot qualify for state-paid social support risk not having the means to organize a quality life.
The Voluntary Sector
The voluntary sector plays a critical role in providing services to the public. Usually, charitable organizations aim to provide services to a specific social group. Charitable organizations are non-profit, although they may charge fees for their services (Carers Support Centre, n.d.). Volunteer social workers are highly empathetic and fully committed to their professional responsibilities (KVC Kentucky, 2020). The main distinguishing feature is the function’s purpose: charitable organizations are not aimed at making a profit but at assisting the population’s needs.
At the same time, organizations in the charitable sector can receive funding for their operating activities. An example of such an organization is the NHS, which provides valuable information for caregivers, including financial assistance, care breaks, return to work, and home adjustment (Carers Support Centre, n.d.). The voluntary sector is offered by non-profit firms, most often charitable foundations, such as the Society Against Domestic Violence (Carers Support Centre, n.d.). Volunteer non-profit organizations can advise citizens, provide support and assistance, and perform other services, but their main feature is their non-profit nature of activity.
The Private Sector
Social organizations of the private sector are economic structures aimed at making a profit. Such organizations include private nursing homes, medical clinics, and orphanages. At the same time, the private sector of social services also plays a significant role in supporting the population in the UK. The private sector continues to increase investment in orphanages and childcare services nationwide. The ten biggest private companies account for over 33% of all private orphanages (GOV.UK, 2021).
An example of such an organization is CareTech Holdings PLC, which has the largest network of childcare organizations (GOV.UK, 2021). By the end of 2020, over 32,000 children received care, support, and education in the non-public sector (GOV.UK, 2021). Despite the commercial focus and the potential unavailability of some services due to the need for payment, the private sector of social security significantly contributes to public welfare.
Specific Welfare Needs of Young Adults and Ethnic Minorities
Different social groups in the population have various needs that representatives of social services should address. Young people are among the groups that are least represented in social support services. This population may not have physical health problems but still needs comprehensive support. This group’s particular needs include education, psychological assistance, integration into society, career choice, and help in the fight against addictions (McGorry et al., 2022).
This population is vulnerable as it only enters its adult developmental path after adolescence. Social support should be aimed at helping in overcoming the difficulties of socialization, adapting to a new way of life, and assisting with psychological problems (McGorry et al., 2022). In addition, young adults may not always have the resources and awareness to seek help independently.
Another vulnerable group of the population that needs support is representatives of ethnic minorities. Their special needs may include increased access to medicine, education in their mother tongue, social integration, and stress reduction (Watkinson et al., 2021). The difficulties faced by ethnic minorities may arise from the lack of knowledge of the language and constant exposure to covert and overt discrimination (Watkinson et al., 2021). Social assistance should ensure the full range of available services for these people when working with this population group.
Key Takeaways
A significant amount of work is conducted in the UK to improve the well-being of vulnerable population groups. Public, private, and voluntary organizations allow different groups of people to receive advice, assistance, and support in difficult life situations. Social services can enhance the growth and development of children and adolescents. Older adults can count on support for independent living and assistance with medical recovery.
In addition, social activities are also aimed at supporting families with children and elderly relatives. Despite significant efforts, children and older people may receive much more attention than other vulnerable groups. Additional assistance can be given to young people and ethnic minorities. Considering the unique needs of social groups, the state and private companies can significantly improve the population’s well-being.
References
Bunting, C. (ed.). (n.d.). Principles for social work in children’s social care: Supporting young people’s online safety and experiences. UKCIS Vulnerable Users Working Group. Web.
Carers Support Centre. (n.d.). Voluntary sector services. Professionals. Web.
Community Care Inform Adults. (2021). The role of social workers working with adults. KSS 2. Web.
Garvey, S. (2021). Define a social worker. Comprehensive Hospice & Palliative Care. Hosparus Health. Web.
GOV.UK. (2021). Largest national providers of private and voluntary social care. Publications. Web.
Healthwatch (2021). What is adult social care? Advice and Information. Web.
KVC Kentucky. (2020). Why social work is one of the most rewarding careers. Web.
McGorry, P. D., Mei, C., Chanen, A., Hodges, C., Alvarez‐Jimenez, M., & Killackey, E. (2022). Designing and scaling up integrated youth mental health care. World Psychiatry, 21(1), 61-76. Web.
NHS Choices. (2020). Children and young people’s services. Social Care and Support Guide. Web.
Staff Writer. (2022). Social worker spotlight interviews. Social Work Degree Center. Web.
Watkinson, R. E., Sutton, M., & Turner, A. J. (2021). Ethnic inequalities in health-related quality of life among older adults in England: Secondary analysis of a national cross-sectional survey. The Lancet Public Health, 6(3), 145-154. Web.