What is Social Work?

MS clients, their families and carers often require many different types of social support. This support can be coordinated and provided by social workers. Social workers may help advise about options for help in the home (eg. personal care, house cleaning etc), respite care, government benefits and entitlements, assistance schemes and care packages and how they can be accessed. Home visits are available for those who need them.

1.    Individual and relationship counselling

• Working collaboratively with individuals, couples and families to address and seek to minimise the impact of MS on their lives
• Encouraging families to work together on issues important to them
• Crisis and grief counselling
• Assessment of need and discussion about the available options and resources availability
• Empowering members by assisting them with decision making, goal setting and achieving goals.

2.    Advocacy

• Liaising with government and non-government agencies to address needs on behalf of clients and their families (through case conferences, personal interaction, written correspondence)
• Making referrals to appropriate agencies
• Applying for funding
• Addressing system inequities in the community that affect people with MS

3.    Family support and education

• Supporting the newly diagnosed and their families by discussing the impact the diagnosis has had on them, what resources are available, and addressing questions relating to MS and the disease process
• Supporting relatives involved in caring
• Developing new initiatives to support members and their families according to needs,eg: focus groups for carers
• Participating in information sessions about MS and the role of social work

Referral

Referral to a social worker at the MS Society can be made by the client, carer, GP, neurologist or other health professional.