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

Practice
Context
2.1.9 Respond to
and shape an
ever-changing
professional
context.
Social workers are informed, resourceful and proactive in
responding to the evolving organizational, community, and
societal contexts at all levels of practice. Social workers recognize
that the context of practice is dynamic, and use knowledge and
skill to respond proactively.
Social workers
a) assess the impact of local and national social, political,
and economic conditions on the well-being and needs of
clients
b) analyze the impact of the international context on social
work
c) initiate improvements in service delivery to keep pace
with changing client needs and social conditions
All social workers acknowledge the input of evolving organizational,
community, and societal contexts using knowledge and skill to respond
proactively. Empowerment-based practitioners ensure these efforts are
based on cooperation, and they work to ally client and community
forces in synchronized efforts toward mutual goals.
Empowerment social workers
d) initiate cooperative efforts to develop opportunities and
resources for clients within community contexts
e) create empowering alliances in organizational, community,
and professional contexts.
Professional
Practice
2.1.10 (1-4)
Engage, assess,
intervene, and
evaluate with
individuals,
families, groups,
organizations,
and
communities.
Professional practice involves the dynamic and interactive
processes of engagement, assessment, intervention, and
evaluation at multiple levels. Social workers have the knowledge
and skills to practice with individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities. Practice knowledge includes
identifying, analyzing, and implementing evidence-based
interventions designed to achieve client goals; using research and
technological advances; evaluating program outcomes and
practice effectiveness; developing, analyzing, advocating, and
providing leadership for policies and services; and promoting
social and economic justice.
Social workers
a) articulate generalist practice processes that apply to all
client systems including individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities
b) explain how a generalist practice approach integrates
research, policy, and practice activities
c) infuse practice with an empowerment perspective
2.1.10 (a) Engagement
a1. build relationships that respect the uniqueness of
clients
a2. engage clients as partners to understand situations
An empowerment practice method acts on the dynamic interplay of
clients with many systems including social, cultural, and political
contexts as well as physical environments. Even problems encountered
at the micro level are recognized to be embedded in a wider system of
influence and amenable to changes initiated at the mezzo- and macrolevels.
Empowerment-based practitioners assess systemically,
intervene broadly, and evaluate the effects of their efforts throughout
the system of focus. Moreover, empowerment practice requires
collaboration with clients and community. As a process, collaborating
has powerful benefits for all involved, elevating subjugated knowledge
and activating energy to achieve goals. Such collaboration exemplifies
the value stance of an empowering social work professional actualizing
the principles of self-determination, individualization, and acceptance.
Empowerment social workers
d) practice competently and ethically from an empowerment
social work perspective
e) demonstrate expertise in empowerment practice processes
at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
2.1.10 (a) Engagement
a3. use self awareness and feedback to construct
empowering relationships with clients
a4. facilitate client system participation and cooperation