Contemporary Social Work Practice Report

I am currently undertaking my placement at Eremea which is an elderly in-home care provider that offers support to high-risk/vulnerable clients who receive government funding to facilitate their ability to live independently/comfortably at home. Eremea serves a diverse clientele from various numerous cultural backgrounds, each with needs that are definitely unique. In this very context, case management plays a huge role in ensuring that elderly individuals receive the care and support they require to maintain their independence and their well-being. In this essay, I will explore how case management, as practised at Eremea, aligns with Ferguson's Critical Best Practice aka CBP perspective. Ferguson's CBP emphasises the importance of adopting practices that are grounded in certain critical reflection, approaches that are evidence-based, and cultural sensitivity. I will demonstrate why case management at Eremea can be considered a certain example of promising or best practice within the web of social work. Furthermore, I will reflect on the extent critically to which this practice can be applied when working with culturally diverse people and communities, and when working with First Nations peoples/communities.

Eremea, as an elderly in-home care provider hereby specialises in catering to the needs of high-risk/vulnerable elderly clients. The mentioned organisation has been entrusted with the responsibility of managing funding from the government to support these individuals in their pursuit of living independently/comfortably in their own homes. Eremea operates in a highly diverse environment, serving clients from various cultural backgrounds, each with a unique set of requirements.

Case management is the cornerstone of Eremea's approach to providing care and support. It comprises four core elements: assessments, case planning, implementation (service delivery), and monitoring and reviewing (Ferguson, 2003). These elements work in tandem to ensure that elderly clients receive comprehensive and tailored support. Here's how case management is applied at Eremea. The process begins with a thorough assessment of each client's needs, strengths, and limitations. This assessment takes into account their physical/emotional/social well-being. Social work operates within a context whereby all aspects of the environment, including social, cultural, natural, and physical aspects, affect the health/well-being of humans(Alston et al. 2018). Importantly, this stage also involves acknowledging the cultural background and preferences of the client, as this can influence the type of support required significantly. Based on the assessment, a detailed tailored case plan is developed in collaboration with the client and their family members, if applicable. This plan outlines the needed specific services and support interventions that will be put in place to address the needs identified. Cultural competence and sensitivity are very crucial at this stage to ensure that the plan aligns with the cultural values and beliefs of the client. Social workers must prioritise culturally safe and sensitive approaches in all the certain professional interactions with service users (Australian Association of Social Workers, 2020).

Case managers at Eremea coordinate the delivery of services, including in-home and community support, to meet the needs of clients. This involves liaising with various numerous service providers, including healthcare professionals, to ensure an approach that is seamless and integrated into care. Culturally appropriate service providers are prioritised whenever possible. The case management process is not static; it is dynamic and responsive to changes in the client's circumstances. Regular monitoring and reviews are conducted to assess the effectiveness of the services and to make adjustments necessary. This ongoing assessment also considers changes in the aged care system and ensures that the care plan of the client remains aligned with their evolving needs. Case management at Eremea serves as a lifeline for elderly clients and their own families. It simplifies the often complex and compact and overwhelming task of navigating the aged care system and accessing resources essential. This approach ensures that clients can focus on living their best lives while having the peace of mind that their needs are being addressed comprehensively.

Ferguson's Critical Best Practice aka CBP perspective provides a framework for evaluating the effectiveness and ethical soundness of the social work practices. CBP involves creative actions within the structures to improve service users and their lives (Jones et al. 2007). This perspective emphasises critical reflection, evidence-based approaches, and cultural competence. Now, case management at Eremea aligns with the CBP model in many ways. CBP places a very strong emphasis on critical reflection, encouraging practitioners to question assumptions, power dynamics, and the social context in which they hereby operate. Case managers at Eremea engage in critical reflection actively throughout the case management process. They consider the factors that are socio-cultural that may impact the needs and preferences of a client, acknowledging that elderly individuals from diverse backgrounds may have unique experiences and unique challenges.

CBP advocates for the use of practices that are evidence-based practices to guide interventions. At Eremea, the initial assessment phase relies on empirical evidence to identify the particular specific needs of clients. Moreover, the continuous monitoring and reviewing stage ensures that interventions are adjusted based on the outcomes/feedback from clients. This approach which is very evidence-based enhances the effectiveness of case management. One of the main prime key strengths of case management at Eremea is its cultural competence. The organisation recognises the importance of culturally sensitive care, when serving clients, especially from diverse backgrounds. Case managers receive needed training to enhance their cultural competence, enabling them to better understand and respect the cultural values and cultural traditions of their clients. This cultural competence is woven into each and every aspect of the process of case management, from assessments to service delivery. Factors necessary for developing cultural competence are diverse (Maidment et al. 2011).

CBP underscores the importance of empowering clients and advocating for their individual rights. Case management at Eremea is rooted in the principle of client empowerment. Case managers work with clients collaboratively to ensure that their voices are heard, preferences are respected, and choices are very well supported. Case managers handle dynamic populations of clients and service providers (Werkmeister-Rozas & Klein, 2009). This empowerment extends to advocating for clients within the complex and compact web of the aged care system, simplifying access to certain necessary resources. CBP encourages a holistic and client-centred approach to practise. Case management at Eremea embodies this very approach by considering not only the physical needs of clients but also their emotional/social/cultural well-being. Each and every case plan is tailored to the individual client, reflecting their individual unique circumstances and aspirations.

Now, critically reflect on the extent to which case management, as practised at Eremea and aligned with Ferguson's CBP, can be used when working with culturally diverse people and communities. Case management at Eremea is undeniably well-suited for working with culturally diverse people and communities. The cultural competence embedded in the case management approach of Eremea is a significant asset when working with diverse populations. Recognising/respecting the cultural nuances of each client is essential in providing effective care. Case managers are hereby trained to navigate cultural differences and adapt their approaches accordingly. The nature of case management client-centred ensures that services are customised to meet the unique needs and unique preferences of individuals from various numerous cultural backgrounds. This flexibility allows for the incorporation of practices and rituals that are culturally appropriate into the care plan.

Case managers at Eremea not only serve as advocates for their clients within the wider and broader aged care system but also advocate for cultural competence within the organisation and among involved service providers. This very advocacy ensures that culturally sensitive care is prioritised at all levels. Recognising the potential language barriers faced by clients from very diverse backgrounds, Eremea takes measures to provide language access services, such as interpreters/translated materials. This ensures that communication remains very effective and that clients can participate in their care actively. Eremea engages with diverse communities actively to better understand their needs/preferences. This engagement fosters trust and collaboration, enabling case managers to provide support culturally relevant.

However, it is crucial to acknowledge that even with a culturally sensitive approach, there may still be challenges when working with people and communities culturally diverse. These challenges may also include. Diverse cultural beliefs and practices may require case managers to continually educate themselves and adapt their approaches to meet the specific needs of each client. Despite training in cultural competence, case managers must remain vigilant about their own potential biases/prejudices, as these can affect the care provided inadvertently. Some communities that are quite culturally diverse may face disparities in access to resources/services, which could impact the effectiveness of case management. Becoming culturally competent involves quite the self-awareness, understanding the cultures of others, and developing relevant skills (Rogers, 1995).

In a nutshell, case management at Eremea hereby aligned with Ferguson's Critical Best Practice aka CBP perspective, exemplifies an approach to social work that is rooted in critical reflection/evidence-based practices/cultural competence. Eremea and its case management model is a great example of best practice because it empowers elderly clients, advocates for their own rights, and provides holistic/client-centered care. Furthermore, this model is also well-suited for working with culturally diverse people/communities. However, it is essential to remain aware of the challenges/complexities that may arise when working with diverse populations and to strive for improvement and cultural competence in the field of social work.

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