6. Engagement

Competency 6: Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Social Workers understand that engagement is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers value the importance of human relationships. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to facilitate engagement with clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand strategies to engage diverse clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may impact their ability to effectively engage with diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to facilitate engagement with clients, constituencies, and other professionals as appropriate. Social workers:

6.1 apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and

6.2 use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.

Reflection

The meaning of this competence is to understand the importance of human relationships while engaging with clients. As a social worker, I recognize that using empathy, small talk, and other conversational tools can create rapport and build a relationship with one’s client. Furthermore, without the knowledge about the different relational theoretical frameworks, a social work professional can not properly serve their clients.

Competency 6: Evidence of Practice

While attending Southern Adventist University and studying my BSW, I engaged in a variety of activities that helped me to develop and master this competency.

School Work:

The document Generalist Skills Analysis is an example of my reflection on one of my first times practicing my interviewing skills with a pseudo client. I believe this evidence both shows my growth and competence in engaging with clients in a one on one setting. 

Field:

My evidence through my field work can be found through a lesson plan I created for one of my clients at Mending Arrow Ranch. This lesson plan includes the learning activities, goals, and notes I have written down following the Equine-Assisted session with my client. Keeping track of client progress, and taking detailed notes is an important part of effectively helping clients to achieve their goals. The client and assistant names have been crossed out for privacy purposes.

Outside Evidence:

My evidence through my outside work can be found through my volunteer work with the Voters Coalition during the 2021 Chattanooga Runoff Elections. Upon request from Kelley Elliot, the director of the Tennessee County Voter Coalitions, I wrote a volunteer review highlighting my unique experience making calls and interacting with previous voters.