Questions for Social Workers

Questions for Social Workers
Hauser

Hauser

Registrant
Ummm....STE got me thinking with his recent post about his psychiatrist assuming things incorrectly just because he's a survivor. I've recently been accepted for an intern position at a non-profit organization in computer/information systems, (long story how that came about).

The organization is a local foster care/big brothers/big sisters organization. I had to pass 5 differnt background checks to get accepted there. During the interview, I had questions about doing volunteer work there after my term was completed, and the HR person was completely happy to see that I wanted to do more than just get work experience. BUT she THEN told me that I would have to answer all sorts of ADDITIONAL personal questions and history etc.

So I have some questions for anyone that has ever been a big brother or a foster parent or worked for such an organization:

What if they ask me if I'm seeing a T right now? (I am) Also, will they ask me WHY I'm seeing a T?

Will they ask me if I'm taking medications? (I'm not)

Will they ask me if I've ever been sexually abused?

Do they ask these things? How deep do they get with those questions?

I won't be interested in doing any volunteer work until I have a career going but I've been thinking about what kinds of questions they're gonna be asking me when I choose to do so.

So I would love to hear from any professionals about this matter. Thank you.
 
I am not a professional but;

Will they ask me if I've ever been sexually abused?
Click to expand...
If they do ask, and subsequently turn you down, ask for a written statement for the reasons.

Ask them straight out, if a history of your own abuse, would have been an issue in getting the job.

You could file for discrimination if you can prove it was the case.
It goes on, but proving it is hard.

A professional response is better than my thoughts on this issue,

ste
 
Hauser,

I would address this question directly to Nathan (our webmaster). As I understand it he has recently gone through the process of being approved as a foster parent, so he would have a pretty clear idea of what they do and don't ask.

Much love,
Larry
 
Hauser,

In Canada it is illegal for employers to ask all those questions, not sure what the rules are there but I bet they are similar.

HTH

Nobby
 
well, I wouldn't be an employee anymore by the time I'll be inquiring about doing any volunteer work, but maybe I will be hired in by the organization rather than by the company that they contract out to for IT work, who knows?
 
From my experience of volunteer work with groups under 18 ... at most they as for any felonies or misdemeanors. Some take the extra step (which they should) and conduct a background check. Best thing to do is ask someone who has volunteered for the organizations you wish to support or simply ask them upfront for the forms that you would need to fill out (its likely they would be on the web).

The issue of legality from, what I've experienced (I use to work in human resources for a number of years), whether a job or vounteer work is simple and the same. An organization has the obligation to protect its employees, customers (clients) by ensuring that an employee, volunteer, (heres the vauge area) anyone representing on the organizations behalf will do no harm. Depending upon the type of business and the client asking prospective "representatives of the organization" would be deemed as reasonable for the safety of those concerned. Naturally it is up to the organization to enforce and monitor this issue as they deem appropriate and within legal bounds. This would mean being convicted of a felony or misdemeanor, especially related to the type of job. Simply because being convicted is public record and knowledge an organization can get and in many cases obligated to seek out to ensure safety. This does not include being abused since being abused is not a crime of the abusee. This line of questioning by an employer would be out of bounds. I may be wrong but I haven't heard of a case where this would be relevant

Foster parenting is different. I asked my therapist about this. She said they are likely to ask about having any abuse in my history. In which case they then would ask difficult questions. In her experience people have been forth right about their abuse and demonstrated strong efforts of recovery definitely become foster parents. However, her experience is limited to Southern California. Each state and county will have a different perspective. The new and growing perspective is that someone who has been abused and has made signficant efforts of recovery can be a better suited parent to children who have experienced abusive households. Best thing to do is ask your therapist.

Again ask around for your specific situation.

Courage-Spirituality-Wisdom
 
Hauser,

it is difficult for you as an abuse survivor, but what I do know is that you would be good at the job.

You have had so many setbacks in life, and the fact that you were abused should never set you back in your career venture.

I would love to foster the kids they consider unable to place because of behavioural problems caused by abuse.

I guess the kid would lose his/her behavioural problems knowing that they had someone who has experienced their own abuse and can build on a childs natural instincts.

Building a childs life out of the ashes is pretty hard, but if I said to a kid, here's the rules, here's what you get, to be put back on the road to living beyond abuse, it would be worht it.

Everyone is looking for cuddly little babies, but never give a thought to the troubled child, but you know what, you could save the life of that same child by saying hey, I will take him/her on.

Imagine the satisfaction of being able to transform that childs life into a life worth living again.

Imagine someone who actually can relate to their hurt, and not brand them as nothing in a world where nobody wants them, we have so much more in the way of relating to their hurt that we must surely be the best ones to be used as foster parents for these kids.

Yeah, I would take on a kid in distress and turn him/her around with love I never had, and project them into believing they can make it,

ste
 
Hauser,

I have volunteered for both a big brother and big sister org and am a current foster parent. Both times that they asked if I was abused I answered yes. For the foster parent lic they wanted to know more if I have worked on my issues from being abused and if I had seen a T. They don't want details and they do like to see that you have seen a T. For the Big bro/sis I don't think they asked if I had been abused or seen a T or even if I take meds. I had no problems what so ever getting to volunteer and being a foster parent even with them knowing I am a survivor of sexual abuse.

lots of love, Nathan

PS: If you like a more detailed list of the questions that you will get asked to become a foster parent let me know and I will post what I recall them asking.
 
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