Discussion: Social Work Competence
The term competence connotes a level of preparedness for addressing issues and maintaining a high standard of practice with clients. Competent social workers have completed adequate preparations for licensure, and they are appropriately credentialed. They adhere to ethical practices by maintaining professional boundaries and honoring commitments to confidentiality. How might you demonstrate your competence as a social worker? How can you recognize competence in other social workers?
For this Discussion, review this week's Readings. Think about elements in the articles that denote competence.
Post a description of at least two criteria that define competence in social work. Give an example of each criterion of competence and justify your selection.
Discussion: Strengths-Based Perspective
Simply put, a social worker with a "strengths-based perspective" emphasizes client strengths as a starting point in addressing challenges. This perspective relies on the notion that every client has strengths that can be leveraged to create productive change and progress toward achievement of goals. Client strengths can include a variety of attributes, from complex professional skill sets or well-developed emotional intelligence to mobility, literacy, or good health.
For this Discussion, think about your family of origin. Consider the strengths particular to your family of origin. Imagine how those strengths might play a part in helping your family to overcome a challenging situation.
Post a description of at least three strengths that you can identify within your family. Describe how the strengths might support a strengths-based plan to meet a challenge.
Assignment: Generalist Practice
Generalist practice in social work is an approach to client service that makes use of a variety of methods, schools of thought, and perspectives. The term describes social work practice that is not limited to only one method or point of view. Generalist social work practitioners stay informed of current research in their field, and they select methods that seem most appropriate to the different situations that their clients face.
For this Assignment, select one of the case studies provided in the Readings. Consider different ways of describing generalist practice and how you might identify it in social work.
Submit a 2- to 3-page paper in which you address the following criteria:
- Create a definition of generalist practice using your own words.
- Identify at least three specific examples of generalist practices you see portrayed in your selected case study.
- Indicate the characteristics that make each an example of generalist practice.
- Explain the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of each example in terms of its benefit to clients.
Discussion: Group Facilitation
Consider how a conversation between two people changes when the circle expands to include five or six. Social workers must address those changing dynamics when moving between practice with individuals and practice with groups.
For this Assignment, consider potential characteristics of a good group facilitator. Think about which seem particularly accessible or challenging.
Post a description of at least four characteristics you identified. Explain which of these characteristics represent your strengths and why. Explain which characteristics you might need to develop further.
Discussion: Agency Reflection
You recently visited a social service organization to interview a social worker and to learn more about the services the organization provides.
For this Assignment, think about your experience gathering information on the social service agency. Consider the areas of strength you observed, as well as areas where you noticed opportunities for growth.
Post a description of the organization that you visited to conduct research for your Agency Paper. Explain the services it provides, the populations it serves, its sources of funding, and its organizational structure. Identify two areas where there may be additional opportunities for growth.
Discussion: Planning for Practice
As you have begun to acquaint yourself with the world of social work, you may have noticed stories in the media and elsewhere that seem connected to the field and even your specific interests. Perhaps you have become aware of the large numbers of military veterans returning to the United States who may require social work support. You may have noticed other emerging groups whose experiences are defined by a particular set of needs. Perhaps you wonder how you would best serve individuals with very different life experiences from your own.
For this Discussion, consider potential challenges to social work practice. Select an example of an issue or circumstance that might pose a challenge to you.
Post a description of issues or situations that may impact you in the field of social work. What areas do you predict might be difficult for you?
Attachment:- Assignment.rar