8. Intervention

Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities

Social Workers understand that intervention 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 are knowledgeable about evidence-informed interventions to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to effectively intervene with clients and constituencies. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and implementing evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers value the importance of inter- professional teamwork and communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, inter- professional, and inter-organizational collaboration. Social workers:

8.1 critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;

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

8.3 use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;

8.4 negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and

8.5 facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

Reflection:

The meaning of this competence is to intervene with clients by using practice experience, informed-research, collaboration with professionals and agencies, and the understanding of behavior theory. In order to choose the correct intervention strategies, it is important for a social worker to consider personal client goals and experiences. Furthermore, building a strong rapport with a client will aid in the effectiveness of interventions and transitions. My commitment it too keep detailed client progress notes, and regularly review these, to choose the most effective interventions for my future clients. 

Competency 8: 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:

One evidence that demonstrates my mastery of intervening with clients is a group facilitation I did in class with two other co-facilitators. The objective of this assignment was to facilitate a group session made up of my classmates who acted as pseudo clients. This project solidified my skills in finding age-appropriate intervention activities for groups and individuals.

Field:

My evidence can be seen from my field work at Mending Arrow Ranch through a lesson plan I created for one of my clients. My client had advanced past a previous intervention I had chosen, which gave me the opportunity to critically think and transition into a new activity to promote continual growth. This document describes one of my most recent sessions with her, and the intervention I chose to best achieve the client’s practice goals.

Another evidence can be seen from my work on ground and saddle training with the ranch horse Sky Dancer. This has helped Mending Arrow Ranch increase their service capacity, and have another horse to use during client sessions. As a result, we have been able to add several more clients into the program.

Outside Evidence:

My evidence for outside work can be described through my experience volunteering at the Salvation Army Street Store event on MLK Day, January 17, 2020. At this event, we created a “Street Store” where individuals experiencing homelessness could come and “shop” for free donated clothing items. This gave me the opportunity to participate in a community intervention that likely benefited several hundred homeless. From a micro perspective, I was able to personally engage with several homeless individuals from the community. One older gentleman in particular was very appreciative of the time and care I gave to the conversation we shared. This gratefulness put into perspective the lack of human interaction many of these people receive, and furthermore the impact of the MLK Street Store.