Practice Behaviors and Competency Outcomes for School of Social ...

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Critical Thinking 2.1.3 Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments. Social workers are knowledgeable about the principles of logic, scientific inquiry, and reasoned discernment. They use critical thinking augmented by creativity and curiosity. Critical thinking also requires the synthesis and communication of relevant information. Social workers a) critically evaluate/integrate sources of knowledge to guide practice - research, practice wisdom, theory b) critically analyze situations including context, policy, social problems, agency practices, practice models c) communicate effectively with clients and colleagues, orally and in writing No where is critical thinking more important to the empowermentoriented practitioner than the awareness of oppression and privilege and the implications of a client’s position within the social order. Empowering practitioners are activists in raising consciousness about power and the impact of power on a client’s experience. Empowerment social workers d) effectively confront in self and others the disempowering attitudes and behaviors that contribute to social injustices, oppression, and discrimination Diversity in Practice 2.1.4--Engage diversity and difference in practice. Social workers understand how diversity characterizes and shapes the human experience and is critical to the formation of identity. The dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple factors including age, class, color, culture, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration status, political ideology, race, religion, sex, and sexual orientation. Social workers appreciate that, as a consequence of difference, a person’s life experiences may include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers a) appraise the impact of cultural identity on a person’s experience of privilege and oppression b) demonstrate cultural competence in all aspects of social work practice c) detect cultural bias and discrimination in professional practice with diverse clients Collaboration with clients and community is essential for implementing an empowerment method. To build collaborative partnerships that respect, invite, and ensure voice to clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders empowerment-oriented practitioners require relationship abilities and communication expertise. The relationship skills of any social worker are grounded in a worker’s cultural competence. Empowerment-based practice builds on this cultural competence and implements a strengths perspective that respects client privileges and expertise. A strengths perspective moves empowering social workers to emphasize the strengths of diverse clients and view clients as having potential to meet their challenges. Empowerment social workers d) partner effectively with clients and others who vary by race, ethnicity, socio-economic class, age, gender, sexual orientation, and physical and cognitive abilities e) demonstrate cultural competence in acknowledging the strengths and inherent power of diverse client populations
Human Rights and Justice 2.1.5 Advance human rights and social justice. Each person, regardless of position in society, has basic human rights, such as freedom, safety, privacy, an adequate standard of living, health care, and education. Social workers recognize the global interconnections of oppression and are knowledgeable about theories of justice and strategies to promote human and civil rights. Social work incorporates social justice practices in organizations, institutions, and society to ensure that these basic human rights are distributed equitably and without prejudice. Social workers a) identify the inequities in human rights afforded to various people b) assess the forms and mechanisms maintaining oppression at individual, social, and institutional levels c) engage in practices advancing human rights and social justice As social work professionals, all practitioners commit themselves to advancing human rights and social justice. An empowerment-oriented practitioner frames this effort in terms of client’s power. One’s sense of power can only endure in an environment that supports it. Empowering practitioners analyze the ways in which a client’s experience of power is shaped by social and cultural systems, social policy, legislation, agency protocols, and global dynamics. In keeping with the goal of empowerment, practitioners act on this knowledge to contribute to a socially just society. Empowerment social workers d) work individually and collectively to advocate policies supporting social justice and protecting human rights Research- Based Practice 2.1.6 Engage in researchinformed practice and practiceinformed research. Social workers utilize practice experience to inform research, employ evidence-based interventions, evaluate their own practice, and use research findings to improve practice, policy, and social service delivery. Social workers comprehend quantitative and qualitative research and understand scientific and ethical approaches to building knowledge. Social workers a) evaluate practice experience to improve practice outcomes b) critically apply evidence-based data to guide practice c) use qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation to improve service delivery A distinguishing quality of empowerment practice is the use of “evidence” from a client’s perspective in balance with knowledge and evidence generated through social work research. “What constitutes valid evidence?” is a critical question in the use of evidence to guide social work practice, prompting workers to critically evaluate new knowledge and its sources for credibility and applicability in each unique practice situation. Empowering workers continuously evaluate their practices through the lens of new knowledge and by accessing voices from clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders. Empowerment social workers d) tailor evidence-supported strategies to fit unique client situations e) design, implement, and analyze program evaluations that access stakeholders’ views
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