1. Social Work Practice at The Pool of Bethesda
By: Augusta Y Olaore PhD, L.M.S.W

2. God created man in His image in perfect health in the Garden of Eden
God created man in His image in perfect health in the Garden of Eden.(WHO Definition of Health)
The fall of man ushered in death, scarcity and social ills including the marginalization of the down trodden.
Jesus, was promised as the seed of the woman to remedy and restore God’s original intention
Social Work is a helping Profession driven by principles, concepts and practices that is aimed at enhancing the wellbeing of post Edenic humanity and operate in the contemporary definition of health. (Ability to cope or adapt in spite of challenges.)

3. Jesus’ Mission Statement Luke 4:17-21
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the broken hearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed; To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.

4. We also need the Holy Spirit as we promote the well being, social and economic justice for the :
Poor
Broken hearted
Captives
Prisoners

5. Well being is a state of prospering and being in health even as the soul prospers. Having the abundant life that Jesus promised.

6. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Engagement
Assessment ( Informed-not-knowing, listening to the story, identifying barriers in the ecosystem)
Client’s Right to self determination
Strengths Perspectives
Empowerment

7. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Engagement. (mindfulness and location)
This is the initial period when practitioners orient themselves to the problem at hand and begin to establish communication with the client and others in addressing the problem (Sheafor & Horesji, 2009)

8. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Assessment ( Informed-not-knowing, listening to the story, identifying barriers in the ecosystem)
Kenaan (2004) proposed the informed –not-knowing stance as an essential posture in delivering services to clients. While Social Workers may be informed on generalized knowledge about their client situations, based on theories and research, the informed not knowing stance puts the professional knowledge as “partial and perspectival”.

9. Enviromental Sructural, Political
CLIENT ECOSYSTEM
Historical
Enviromental Sructural, Political
Culture & Ethnicity
Family
Individual

10. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Client’s Right to self determination
“Social workers respect and promote the right of clients to self-­ determination and assist clients in their efforts to identify and clarify their goals.”
, “Do you want to be made well?”

11. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles 4. Strengths Perspective

12. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
4. Strengths Perspectives (Salleeby 2007)
Every individual, group, family and community has strengths
Trauma, abuse, illness and struggle may be injurious but they may also be sources of challenge and opportunity,
Assume that you do not know the upper limits of the capacity to grow and change.
We best serve clients by collaborating with them,
Every environment is full of resources
Caring, caretaking and context are important.

13. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Empowerment
One of the goals of psychotherapy is emancipation /empowerment. (Sorrel 2006)
“Rise up, Take your bed and walk”

14. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Five Porches, Five Principles
Engagement
Assessment ( Informed-not-knowing, listening to the story, identifying barriers in the ecosystem)
Client’s Right to self determination
Strengths Perspectives
Empowerment

15. Following the Master Social Worker at the Pool of Bethesda
Thanks for Listening