Chapter 5 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Familie and Groups

Chapter 5: Generalist Practice

with

Individuals, Families, and Groups

Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing.

Empowering Programs with Resourcesthat Enhance Social Work Education


Social Work: A Competency-Oriented Education

Council on Social Work Education (CSWE)

- Defines Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAs)

- Developed 10 “Core Competencies” and 41 Related “Practice Behaviors”

Every student should master the Practice Behaviors and Core Competencies before completing the program


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008

The Textbook –

- “Helping Hands” icons call attention to content that relates to Practice Behaviors and Competencies

- “Competency Notes” at the end of the chapter help put the Practice Behaviors and Competencies in practical context


Resources Aligned to EPAS 2008 (cont’d)

The Practice Behaviors Workbook developed

with the text provides assignable exercises that assist in mastering the Practice Behavior and Competencies

Additional on-line resources can be found at: www.cengage.com/socialwork


Generalist practice

• Both a process and a method• Involves orderly sequence of stages in engaging

clients/client systems• Creative use of techniques and knowledge that

guide intervention process• Based on client involvement• Emphasizes use of client resources• Focuses on planned change and solutions

EP 2.1.7a, 2.1.10a-l


Preparation for generalist practice with

individuals, families, and groups• Knowledge about human behavior /diversity• Use of ecological/systems framework and theory

to guide intervention• Understanding of and adherence to social work

values• Planned process of intervention

EP 2.1.7a, 2.1.7b, 2.1.10a


• Social study• Assessment • Goal setting • Contracting • Intervention • Evaluation

EP 2.1.10d-g, 2.1.10i, 2.1.10m


Planned process of intervention

The social worker-client relationship

• Relationship is key to successful intervention• Helping relationship is based on:

- Self-determination

- Confidentiality

- Individualization and acceptance

- Nonjudgmental attitude

- Freedom of expression

EP 2.1.10c


Development of practice skills

• Conceptual skills• Interviewing skills

- Informational interview

- Diagnostic/assessment interview

- Therapeutic interview• Recording skills

EP 2.1.10a


Beginning social workers

Beginning social workers need to be aware that:• Not all clients are equally motivated to engage in

the planned change process, no matter how

good the social worker • Adequate resources may not be available to fully

meet client needs

EP 2.1.10a


Practice theories and skills

Individuals and families• Ecological/systems framework• Ego psychology • Problem-solving approach • Cognitive behavioral approaches • Reality therapy

EP 2.1.7a


Practice theories and skills (cont’d)

Individuals and families

• Task-centered method• Family systems approach• Other approaches:

- Client-centered therapy

- Feminist therapy

- Solution-focused therapy

EP 2.1.7a


Groups• Form of social organization whose members

identify and interact with one another on a personalbasis and have a shared sense of the group as a social entity

• Types of groups:- Natural groups- Primary groups- Planned groups

Practice theories and skills (cont’d)

EP 2.1.7a


Group work

• Seeks to strengthen positive personal functioning andsocial skills through structured group interaction

• Roots are in settlement house movement• Types of planned groups:

- Recreation - Recreation-skill - Educational - Socialization- Self-help

EP 2.1.7a


Effective group development

• Purposefulness • Leadership• Selection of group members• Size

EP 2.1.7a


Theory for group practice

• Theory is used as framework for guiding group

interaction and achieving goals• Practice theories used with individuals and

families are also applicable to groups

EP 2.1.7a


Group work as a practice

Social workers leading groups must:• Ensure dignity and worth of all members• Develop articulated understanding of group’s

purpose, roles, and “rules”• Assess problems and needs of individual members

and group as a whole• Help group develop its own identity

EP 2.1.7a


Group work as a practice (cont’d)

Social workers leading groups must:

• Facilitate development of communication among members

• Facilitate planning and implementation of relevant

activities that promote positive group and individual

functioning and advancement of the group’s purpose• Prepare group for termination

EP 2.1.7a


Stages of groups

Each stage of group development is important for optimal group functioning:• Beginning• Norm development• Conflict phase• Relationship phase• Termination

EP 2.1.7a, 2.1.10l


Group settings

• Recreational settings • Settlement houses• Community centers• Family and child service agencies• Schools• Treatment centers

EP 2.1.7a


Group termination

• Social workers must be sensitive to needs of the group at termination

• Not ideal to terminate a group because of dysfunction

• Groups are usually terminated because they are time-limited or purpose of group has been met

EP 2.1.10l


Practice effectiveness

• Professional practice with individuals, families, and groups must include an evaluation process:- What could have increased client growth and change? - What were the positive achievements of the client or client system?- What implications for change are suggested?

• Evaluation is on-going

EP 2.1.10a-l


Supervisors of generalist practitioners

Play a vital role in the helping process:• Ensure effective, appropriate intervention• Enrich the skills of those they supervise• Regulate the flow of cases • Provide accountability

EP 2.1.1f


BSW social workers

• Generalist practitioners• Most are employed in direct practice settings with

individuals, families, and groups• Can provide basic counseling and case

management, facilitate groups, and link clients with

community resources• Practice in many community settings

EP 2.1.1c


MSW social workers

• Possess advanced skills• Demonstrate a specialization that is built on

generalist practice• Can provide psychotherapy and intensive

counseling• Are often employed in highly clinical settings

EP 2.1.1c


Chapter 5 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Familie and Groups

Education

Transcript of Chapter 5 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Familie and Groups