Competencies

Ashlyn Francis Swk 4910

Competency 1

Competency #1
Identifying as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.

Practice Behavior 1.1

Advocate for client access to the service of social work
Example: I will educate myself on the programs/resources available to clients who are admitted into the Family Drug Treatment Court Program.

Practice Behavior 1.2

Practice personal reflection and selfcorrelation to assure continual professional development
Example: I will allow the NASW Code of Ethics to be a guide for my judgments when making ethical decisions for the clients.

Practice Behavior 1.3

Attend professional roles and boundaries
Example: I will not overstep my position as an intern.

Practice Behavior 1.4

Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior
Example: I will speak in a clear/professional manner when speaking with clients, along with being mindful of my body language/facial expressions.

Practice Behavior 1.5

Appearance & Communication
Example: Dress/speak in a professional manner.

Practice Behavior 1.6

Engage in career-long learning and use supervision and consultation
Example: I will question the concepts I do not understand, and be open to the teachings of my supervisor/professor.

Competency 2

Competency #2
Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.

Practice Behavior 2.1

Recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide practice
Example: I will not allow my own values/beliefs to be forced upon a client

Practice Behavior 2.2

Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the NASW Code of Ethics and, as applicable, of the International Federation of Social Workers/International Association of School of Social Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles Example: My decisions will be concluded while keeping the Code of Ethics in mind

Practice Behavior 2.3

Tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts
Example: Have to handle uncertainties resolving ethical dilemmas

Practice Behavior 2.4

Apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions
Example: Figure ways to come to a professional and appropriate decision for the clients.

Competency 3

Competency #3
Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgment.

Practice Behavior 3.1

Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-based knowledge, and practice wisdom.
Example: I will base the decisions made for the participants needs off of the skills learned through my practice.

Practice Behavior 3.2

Analyze models of assessment, prevention, interventions, and evaluation.
Example: I will be sure to be familiar with all documents/forms used during my intern

Practice Behavior 3.3

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families, groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues.
Example: I will speak to all participants and others in a professional manner, at all times.

Competency 4

Competency #4
Engage diversity and difference in practice

Practice Behavior 4.1

Recognize the extent to which a cultures structures and values may oppress, marginalize, alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power.
Example: Learn of the diversity in cases and find ways to be professionally responsive when dealing with minorities.

Practice Behavior 4.2

Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse groups.
Examples: Be considerate of participants culture and social environment.

Practice Behavior 4.3

Recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping life experiences.
Example: Look over participants cases/background and be sure the care provided to them is beneficial.

Practice Behavior 4.4

View themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants.
Example: Be sure participants comprehend the things told to them about their placement and required tasks to be completed.

Competency 5

Competency #5
Advance human rights and social and economic justice

Practice Behavior 5.1

I understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination

Example: Have an understanding as to why participants may/may not be stable financially along with doing my best to provide them with the assistance they may need.

Practice Behavior 5.2

Advocate for human rights and social and economic justice

Example: Be a voice for participants along with advocating
for the resources in which they may need.

Practice Behavior 5.3

Engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.

Example: Provide participants with assistance outside of our program.

Competency 6

Competency #6
Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research

Practice Behavior 6.1

Use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry
Example: See what sanctions work and do not work for each participantsome have to write essays; whereas, others just do better after spending time in jail.

Practice Behavior 6.2

Use research evidence to inform practice
Example: Research literatures, if ever necessary in order to assist a participant with a certain situation.

Competency 7

Competency #7
Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment

Practice Behavior 7.1

Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and evaluation
Example: Intake (complete social assessments on all new admissions).

Practice Behavior 7.2

Critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment
Example: Know that Robeson County has a high rate of drug use; therefore, participants are more likely to have been around drugs majority of their life leading to them eventually using themselves.

Competency 8

Competency #8
Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services.

Practice Behavior 8.1

Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies and advance social wellbeing
Example: Inform participants of the policies for the health care they are needing; however, the best option I can provide them with is to just refer them to the proper department to answer their specific questions.

Practice Behavior 8.2

Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action
Example: Speak with treatment providers and doctors who prescribe medication to participants
How is treatment going? Is graduation in their near future? Are they looking at an actual recovery or just clean time? Etc

Competency 9

Competency #9
Respond to contexts that shape practice.

Practice Behavior 9.1

Continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing locales, populations, scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services
Example: Being able to adapt to the needs of my client and also being able to work through the required systems (CJPartners, Judicial Courts, etc.)

Practice Behavior 9.2

Provide leadership in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to improve the quality of social services
Example: Attend implementation meetings and discuss how to make the program better for the participants involved.

Competency 10

Competency #10
Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities.

Practice Behavior 10.1

Substantively and affectively prepare for action with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Example: Case reviewreview a participants case and discuss the concerns the team may have amongst ourselves and then with the participant.
How can we help you get back on track towards graduation?

Practice Behavior 10.2

Use empathy and other interpersonal skills
Example: Being understanding of all clients and listening attentively, making good eye contact, and using appropriate voice tone and body language.

Practice Behavior 10.3

Develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work
Example: Discuss my daily tasks with my supervisor.

Practice Behavior 10.4

Collect, organize, and interpret client data
Example: Create a plan for the participantwhat they are expected to do in order to graduate from the program.
The problem: their drug use The goal: reunification with children The intervention: treatment/drug court program

Practice Behavior 10.5

Assess client strengths and weaknesses
Example: Acknowledge the participants strengths coming into the program and the limitations they may face while being in the program.

Practice Behavior 10.6

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives
Example: Be sure that goals, objectives, and interventions are appropriate and in the best interest of the participant.

Practice Behavior 10.7

Select appropriate intervention strategies
Example: Make sure all sanctions/incentives are appropriate.
If a participant is doing everything that is expected of them EXCEPT keeping contact with the coordinator, a sanction of jail time is not appropriate; however, a few hours of community service may be more suitable.

Practice Behavior 10.8

Initiate actions to achieve organizational goals
Example: Consider the next steps for the participant needed to reach graduation.

Practice Behavior 10.9

Implement prevention interventions that enhance client capacities
Example: Encourage parents to attend treatment before they use a substance or call their sponsor, drug court coordinator, treatment provider, etc.

Practice Behavior 10.10

Help clients resolve problems
Example: Provide participants with the necessary resources for them to be able to help themselves.

Practice Behavior 10.11

Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients
Example: Discuss the issue, come to a common ground, and then make my recommendation.

Practice Behavior 10.12

Facilitate transitions and endings
Example: The judge usually orders participants to be discharged from the program, unless they have successfully completed the program (graduation); therefore, they are already aware of their case being closed within Drug Court.

Practice Behavior 10.3

Social workers critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions
Example: Follow-up on the participants; make sure the interventions are serving their purpose for the participants.