Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Assessment is recognized by social workers as an important part of practice with diverse populations. The theories of human behavior and the social environment are understood by social workers and critically applied in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies. The various methods of assessment with diverse clients are understood by social workers to advance the effectiveness of their practice. The value of inter-professional collaboration is highly valued among social workers and in the assessment process. Social workers are also self-aware of their own personal experiences and reactions and how these may affect their assessment as well as decision-making. Social workers:
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- collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
- 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;
- develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies; and
- select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.
Field Evidence
While at my practicum, I was able to perform multiple assessments on my residents. I conducted a biopsychosocial assessment including using the palliative performance scale to assess functioning, multiple clock drawing assessments, short and long form geriatric depression scale assessments, as well as some short portable mental status questionnaires.
Academic Evidence
I conducted a biopsychosocial on a peer during my first year in the social work program. This allowed me to use my assessment skills and knowledge of theory to understand and assess her development as a person. During my “Social Work Practice with Individuals” I conducted a 30-minute assessment with a pseudo client to practice my assessment skills. I also completed a self-assessment paper to better understand how I work as a professional.