Practice Behaviors:
7.1: collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies.
7.2: apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies.
7.3: develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies.
7.4: select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.
Competency 7 Narrative:
As a competent social worker, I recognize assessment as a crucial component of effective social work practice. I have demonstrated an understanding of the various theories embedded within the social work profession and applied this through diverse methods of assessment with clients. I continually implement knowledge gained from these assessments within the development and integration of mutually-agreed upon intervention strategies that reflect the values and preferences of the clients I serve.
Evidence 1 (Field):
At the Department of Children’s Services, it is our job to thoroughly and continually assess each client on our case load. Doing so allows us to implement effective intervention strategies that enable successful goal attainment for both the families and the children we serve. Within my practicum setting, I have demonstrated my ability to accurately assess clients and to select appropriate intervention strategies. A notable example of this constructing a non-custodial permanency plan, which outlines the mutually-agreed upon goals and intervention strategies established between the social worker and the client. One of the NCPPs plans I completed with a client can be accessed here (client information has been redacted)
Evidence 2 (Class):
One of the assignments in Social Work Practice with Individuals was to write a thorough analysis after completing a 30 minute assessment with a pseudo-client. Included in this analysis were risk factors/needs/resiliences, social justice or cultural implications, and ethical values demonstrated during the assessment. This analysis paper can be accessed here .
Evidence 3 (Additional):
During the Social Work with Individuals course, I was given the opportunity to present a case management presentation about a pseudo-client I previously conducted an initial 30 minute interview with. This presentation included a 3-minute clip from the interview, pertinent information regarding my client, a detailed assessment, and theories/interventions applicable. This case presentation can be viewed here .
Skills Used: Fulfilling this competency required me to demonstrate interpersonal and active learning skills, particularly when conducting interviews with pseudo-clients and clients within my practicum agency. Additionally, I demonstrated self-reflection and writing skills when analyzing each interview and assessment conducted.
Knowledge Used: For each practice behavior demonstrated, I incorporated the knowledge obtained from Social Work Practice with Individuals, which taught me the skills needed to accurately assess clients. I was also able to apply the techniques demonstrated to me by my field instructor as well as techniques I developed through continual experience of assessing clients at my agency setting.
Values Present: The social work values of Service and Dignity and Worth of the Person were both reflected within each of the practice behaviors demonstrated. I recognized the importance and dignity of each client and served them through the development of mutually-agreed upon interventions that reflected their individual needs, preferences, and values.
Cognitive Processes Used: After conducting each interview, I analyzed (analysis domain) the presenting concerns, needs, characteristics, preferences, and values of the client to construct an accurate assessment. I applied (application domain) the information collected to the development (application domain) of intervention strategies for my clients.
Affective Processes Used: The Department of Children’s Services utilizes several forms of assessment to accurately assess each client and their presenting concerns/situation. After listening (receiving domain) to each client, I reviewed the information provided in order to complete an accurate assessment. This enabled me to integrate (organization domain) intervention plans that effectively addressed each client’s specific needs.
Theoretical Foundation: A theory that correlates with this competency is Interview Illusion. This theory asserts that after a brief interaction with someone, we believe we understand them well enough to predict any future behavior. As a social worker, it is easy to assume we understand a client’s needs fully from the initial assessment. However, it is crucial that we continually assess the strengths, needs, and challenges of our clients. This approach will enable us to continually evaluate our intervention strategies and better equip our clients for goal-attainment through implementing intervention strategies that reflect their individual values and preferences.