Social Media, BCCSW article on Boundaries & Practice for Social Networking

Hey All, sorry I'm a bit sporadic in getting stuff onto the blog, I'm super busy these days, as I'm sure many of you are. 

I've revisited the article below and thought it might be of interest to readers. I started this blog in October 2012 and I'm happy to report there have been more that 5700 visitors so far! 

I really appreciate people for visiting the site and hope social service professionals are finding it helpful and spread the word! 

Tracey Young
Editor & Publisher
BC Social Workers blog

Boundaries and Best Practices for SocialNetworking

(2011). College Conversation: The Newsletter of the B.C. College of Social Workers, pg. 7.

Susan Mankita, an expert on social networking as it applies to the practice of social work, addressed registrants on this important issue. We present here a brief summary of her talk. The College looks forward to developing guidelines on the use of social networking with registrants to better inform their online presence.

The internet has fundamentally changed society and how we, and in particular young people, relate to one another. This new reality creates both opportunity and challenge, none more so than for professionals navigating the digital age. Are you a digital migrant or a digital citizen?

Social media is about relationships, sharing ideas and thoughts, and creating and exchanging information in a dynamic and fluid environment. It’s been said that postings to social media sites are the tattoos of the generation and are just as difficult to remove. So what is a social worker to do?

The College’s Code of Ethics says that a Registered Social Worker shall maintain the best interest of the client as the primary obligation. In the digital age, this presents a number of ethical dilemmas:

• What is our responsibility to clients who seem unconcerned about protecting their own privacy?
• What should we do if clients try to engage us clinically through social media?
• Should a social worker accept clients as friends on Facebook and other similar sites?

The benefits of social media include access to a broad range of connections, access to people, support and information, and a new type of environment to explore relationships and boundaries with clients. Those benefits must be balanced against:

• The blurring of boundaries between professional and personal worlds 
• The changing nature of communication and the relationship with clients privacy

In this context, it is important to build a new set of best practices that include starting from where the clients are, opportunities for collaboration and support, and increasing access to trusted social circles. 

Regulatory bodies are turning their attention towards the use of social media by professionals. Until there are guidelines, social workers are advised to proceed with caution when using social media to ensure that they act ethically, ensure professional competence, protect clients, and uphold the values of the profession. 

International Social Work: SW's to Document Global Economic Inequality

Compiling an international picture of the state of social work

The newly launched European Observatory wants to hear from social workers

David N Jones, Guardian UK, 30 April 2013.

The creativity and determination of social workers in the face of funding cuts, salary reductions and the growing stigmatisation of poor and disabled people was evident at the biennial conference of the European Network for Social Action in Istanbul earlier this month.

The conference saw the launch of the European Observatory on Social Work and Social Development which is calling for evidence about the state of social work and social development in Europe. You can find out more about submitting evidence here.

The British Association of Social Workers and the umbrella body for social work educators in the UK (JUC – SWC) are already pulling evidence together in the UK and would welcome input from others. Submissions, for example about child protection, care for people with dementia and partnerships with service users, should be sent to this national partnership in the first instance.

The theme for the first observatory report is promoting social and economic equalities, also the theme for world social work days in March 2013 and 2014.

The European Observatory on Social Work is the regional arm of the Global Observatory, established by the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), the International Council on Social Welfare (ICSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). It will contribute to the first report of the new Global Observatory to be published in July 2014. The initiative will also contribute to the United Nations review of the millennium development goals, with UN decisions being made in 2014-15 about the new global development priorities.

It is the first initiative to compile an overview of the state of social work in Europe and worldwide. Susan Lawrence, president of the European Association of Schools of Social Work, Christian Rollet, president of ICSW Europe and Cristina Martins, president of IFSW Europe, said: "This joint initiative will record and promote the social activities that address the major social problems facing Europe. In these times of social crisis and austerity in Europe, it is essential that social workers and social development professionals find effective ways to document what is happening in our continent."

Social workers have an ethical and practical responsibility to inform the wider community about the extent of social problems and the state of social work. For the first time, this will be co-ordinated across the continents and around the world.

Throughout the conference in Istanbul, delegates heard about the devastating impact of the financial and social crisis sweeping Europe and its impact on the most vulnerable people. Leading thinkers such as Thomas Hammarberg, immediate past commissioner for human rights in the Council of Europe, and policy leaders such as Régis Brillat, head of the Council of Europe department of the social charter and of the European code of social security and Morten Kjaerum, director of the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights described the dire social situation not only in Greece and Portugal but also in France and the UK.

The activities of the three organisations will focus on promoting social and economic equalities, promoting the dignity and worth of peoples, working toward environmental sustainability and strengthening recognition of the importance of human relationships. The need for effective and ethical environments for social work practice and education underpins the priorities.

The regional reports will be submitted to the Global Observatory by 31 December and the Global Report will be published in July next year.

The timing enables the practical experience of social workers and social development practitioners to feed into the major United Nations review of social priorities. The voice of social workers is being heard – and welcomed.

David N Jones is a former president of the International Federation of Social Workers and a member of the Global Observatory team

Job Posting: Casual EAP Counsellors - Prince George

Casual EAP Counsellors for PRINCE GEORGE area

Enjoy the flexibility of working the hours YOU want with PPC Canada.

Do you like the idea of supplementing your practice with additional clients? Do you prefer to work in the morning …afternoon … or evening? Would you like to work for a few hours on the weekend? If this sounds like the flexibility you want, then you will enjoy the innovative approach to the workplace that PPC Canada has to offer.

PPC Canada has opportunities for qualified and experienced EAP counsellors, who are flexible to work on an hour-to-hour basis, for as much or as little time as their schedules permit based on client volume.

Providing you with a professional intake service including a standardized referral process, you will review your weekly schedule of appointments, contact our client, and schedule the first appointment at your own office. If you are too busy to respond to and book our client within PPC timelines, simply let us know. Once your initial contact with the client is established, you will rebook ongoing sessions with the same client at a mutually agreed upon time.

If you …

· have a minimum of a Master’s Degree, several years of relevant clinical experience and are registered with a regulatory or professional organization

· can provide short-term, solution focused counselling, want to make a difference in your community, supported by a fantastic clinical management team

Send your resume to:

Deb Gooding, Senior Manager, Clinical Services

PPC Canada

deb.gooding@ca.ppcworldwide.com

PPC Worldwide is the leading global provider of Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), and Wellbeing Services, supporting over 10 million employees in over 140 countries. With a Canadian head office in Vancouver, and network, account services and clinical management across the provinces/territories, PPC Canada supports over 350 Canadian and global organizations.

Training: The Fundamentals and More of EAP / EFAP

The Fundamentals and More of EAP / EFAP
Online Web Training
www.ClaireSuttonCoaching.com

Call 604.742.1178

This online course is for anyone with or without experience in the field of EAP / EFAP. Clinical social workers are in demand by quality EAP provider companies for EAP knowledge as well as the particular skill-set conducive to EAP. The field of EAP keeps you on the pulse of today’s workplace and client issues. There are many career opportunities within Employee Assistance Programs.

This 8 Module course covers:

• A thorough understanding of the essence of EAP;
• How to begin to do a comprehensive assessment;
• Most important questions to ask an EAP client;
• How to do your best work within tight session-limits;
• Maintain the highest ethical standards of confidentiality;
• Sample case studies will be explored;
• The course will also address how to market yourself to EAP providers
• Participant interaction for Q&A via Email;
• Two individual 40 min. coaching session ( value $140.00 ea)
• Workbook and Notes with every Lesson;
• And more…

www.clairesuttoncoaching.com

Regional Social Workers for Child Welfare, Youth Justice & More - Yukon

Regional Social Workers

Regional Program Management

Department of Health & Social Services

Play an integral role ensuring a safe and supportive environment for children and families living in rural communities

Location: rural locations throughout Yukon

Closing date: until positions filled

Requisition: #2522

Salary: $76,820 to $88,809 per annum

This is an exciting opportunity to experience life in rural communities while you use your skills to support a Yukon where all children and families can thrive. With travel to other communities as required, you will provide residents with a range of collaborative, generalist social work services, including child welfare, youth justice, social assistance, adult protection and community development. Your aim will be to ensure a safe and supportive environment for children and their families.

Your delivery of child welfare and youth justice services will include child protection, family support, child-in-care services, foster care and adoptions along with youth probation. You will also assist adults at risk of abuse and provide social assistance in the form of income support, adult services and emergency services. Additionally, you will work alongside First Nations, RCMP, health units, schools and other groups to respond to emerging and existing issues and to build capacity within these communities to promote, strengthen and sustain the well-being of their residents.

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Work
• Social work experience in providing child welfare services
• Experience in youth justice, social assistance and adult protection (an asset)
• Experience in community development (an asset)

Candidates who meet the educational requirements, but have limited training, and/or experience may be considered on an underfill basis.

Desired Knowledge, Skills and Suitability

• Self-awareness
• Strong knowledge of, and experience in, social work principles and practices in child welfare and case management
• Effective two-way communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to build and maintain effective relationships and partnerships
• Strong organization and time management skills to manage a diverse caseload
• Ability to take a broad-based, strategic approach to community development in response to mandated client service
• Sound ethical decision-making skills and practice that is guided by the Canadian Association of Social Work code of ethics
• Commitment to protecting children and supporting family units
• Ability to work in a multicultural environment with an emphasis on First Nation’s culture.

Conditions of Employment: Security Clearance with vulnerable sectors and a valid Class 5 driver’s licence.

Approved candidates will be provided reimbursement of interview/relocations expenses, if required, in accordance with the Interview & Relocation Expense Directive.

We are the Yukon public service. Every day, we come together to serve the people who live here, and to make a difference in so many ways—from simple to extraordinary and everything in between. Here, you will find the diverse opportunities you desire to develop your career while enjoying a warm sense of community and vibrant artistic, cultural and recreational amenities, all set in a spectacular natural environment.

For more information, please visit our website or contact Amy Campbell at 867.667.5685 or email Amy.Campbell@gov.yk.ca

To apply, please visit our website at www.employment.gov.yk.ca.

UBC Continuing Education/Professional Development - Vancouver, Kelowna & Online

Motivational Interviewing in Psycho-Educational Groups

Health and helping professionals who have group leadership experience and/or currently run psycho-educational groups can complement their MI knowledge with this practice-based training. Participants will have opportunity to observe and co-facilitate group conversations in the spirit, communication style, and strategies of Motivational Interviewing.

May 24 & 25, UBC Robson Square

Introduction to Motivational Interviewing in Health Care

Gain basic familiarity with MI core elements, clinical style, and strategies that are proven helpful in decreasing resistance, increasing readiness, and guiding conversations that support health-related change.

June 7 & 8, UBC Robson Square in Vancouver

June 14 &15, UBC Okanagan in Kelowna

Summer Institute on Addiction

Join other professionals working in the field of addiction and benefit from cutting edge research, practical strategies and shared experience. The plenaries and workshops feature unique examples of evidence-based practice and practical skills that can directly enhance your client care.

July 18-20, UBC Point Grey

New 100% online learning opportunities

Individualized Motivational Interviewing Feedback and Coaching

Messages that Matter: Knowledge Translation Strategies for health and Helping Professions

      Find out more and register or call 604.827.4234.

Training: Reducing the Impact of Compassion Fatigue Using the Satir Model - Surrey, BC June 8 and 9, 2013

Reducing the Impact of Compassion Fatigue
Using the Satir Model

conducted by Robin Beardsley, MD, CCFP,
Family Physician and BP Psychotherapist

June 8 and 9, 2013
9:00 am to 5:00 pm
Where: Phoenix Center Boardroom
13686-94A Avenue, Surrey, BC V3V 1N1

Dear Satir Transformational Systemic Therapy Students,

I am taking this opportunity of Cindi's email to share with you my excitement about this topic of Compassion Fatigue. I am very interested in this topic of wellness for caregivers, whether that be personally or professionally. My sense is that if therapists are congruent, in touch with their Life Force and work with impact rather than stories, then impacts on the therapist will be less. We are not immune, however, to compassion fatigue. I recently hit the "red zone" of Compassion Fatigue and had to make some adjustments in my life. Having the experience and the tools of what I have learned through all my Satir training, I believe, made it easier to come through this chaos.

It is my hope to share with you what I have learned and to explore together how we can be more resilient in our lives and this wonderful work that we do with clients as they transform. If you are interested in this topic, then please register early or at least before May 17, 2013. Hope to see you June 8-9, 2013 at this level 3 workshop.

Robin Beardsley

Early Bird Deadline April 26, 2013
SIP Members $200 Non-Member $225

Program Cancellation Deadline May 17, 2013

To register or for more information see the attached brochure or contact:
Cindi Mueller, Administrator, SIP 604-634-0572 or admin@satirpacific.org