However, while the context in which social work operates remains in constant change, one essential element remains the same: “social work is located within some of the most complex problems and perplexing areas of human experience” (Trevithick, 2005, p. 1). Show
This article explores the qualities and skills required to form a positive service user–social worker relationship as a foundation for further work and to remove obstacles to positive change. Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. These science-based exercises will explore fundamental aspects of positive psychology including strengths, values, and self-compassion, and will give you the tools to enhance the wellbeing of your clients, students, or employees. What Qualities Make a Good Social Worker?Social workers are dedicated to helping and improving the lives of others, particularly those in vulnerable groups. Making a timely and appropriate difference requires some essential qualities; some we are born with, and others we can learn, including (Body, n.d.; Walden University, n.d.):
Social work is underpinned by psychological and sociological theories and models that support professionals in their care and service to others. Skills can be learned to identify and support clients’ needs and develop the above qualities (Davies, 2013; Rogers et al., 2020). 25+ Skills Needed by Every Social WorkerMicro and macro social care practices originated in the early 1900s with Mary Richmond (1917) and Jane Addams (1912). While they saw micro and macro skills as “two sides of the same social work coin,” they could not have imagined how in the 100 years that followed, specialties have dominated the profession (Austin, Anthony, Knee, & Mathias, 2016). Micro practice is dominated by a focus on specific disciplines such as children, adolescents, families, aging populations, and mental health. Macro practice focuses on areas such as community, organizations, and policy (Austin et al., 2016). More recently, some recognize that while micro and macro practices have different focuses, there are benefits to be found where the two inform one another (Austin et al., 2016). Micro skills within social workMicro social work practice is a problem-solving process, working with individuals, groups, and families to maintain “a sensitivity to social diversity as well as the promotion of social economic justice” (Austin et al., 2016, p. 273). Micro practice can be split into personal, interpersonal, and group skills. Their use depends on clients and context, and include the following (modified from Austin et al., 2016). Foundation micro skills
Advanced micro skills
Many of these micro skills inform macro practice, “particularly when it comes to promoting wide-ranging participation and attending to and recording information” (Austin et al., 2016, p. 274). Macro skills within social workSeveral macro skill domains (community practice, management practice, and policy practice) informed by macro sociology, organizational psychology, political science, and economics have now developed to the degree where they have their own work journals (Austin et al., 2016). Each of the domains is complex and extensive but can be represented by the following examples (modified from Austin et al., 2016). Community and policy practice domainsSocial workers must demonstrate skills in policy analysis, case-based and systems advocacy, presentation skills, and relating policy practice to the management of human service organizations, summarized as the ability to (Austin et al., 2016):
Human service managementSocial workers must have awareness and skills in the leadership and administration of organizations that support services for people and communities, including being able to (modified from Austin et al., 2016):
Crossover skills (micro and macro) within social work“[M]icro and macro practitioners share a common set of crossover skills that are highly valued within organizations and across multiple professional contexts” (Austin et al., 2016, p. 271). While the following micro and macro skills are often viewed in isolation, they routinely inform one another to benefit the social worker’s practice and clients (modified from Austin et al., 2016). PersonalKey skills — Self-awareness, stress management, and problem solving are vital for recognizing and managing situations that lead to negative emotions. They are equally essential for both micro and macro practitioners. Self-awareness is crucial to managing the stress of others and oneself effectively. InterpersonalKey skills — Written and verbal communication skills and the abilities to influence, motivate others, and manage conflict are required for:
Negotiating conflicts while motivating takes a great deal of skill. GroupKey skills — Learning how to empower others, delegate, build teams, lead, and manage change is crucial. The above skills are crucial to “manage clients, caseloads, programs, and diverse groups of people in differing contexts” and are relied on by micro and macro practitioners (Austin et al., 2016, p. 272). 10 Key Clinical Skills to Put Into PracticeMany skills underpin “a commitment to humane, relationship-based practice” and are essential to good social work (Rogers et al., 2020, p. 9). Relationship-based practice is a person-centered perspective that applies some of the most fundamental values in social work, such as respect and empathy. The following is a summary of several of the clinical skills that encourage “reflexivity and the ‘use of self’ in the application of social work skills and knowledge” (Rogers et al., 2020, p. 9). They are closely aligned with anti-oppressive practice and social justice. 1. Person-centered communicationAdapting communication to the uniqueness of the individual and their communication style. The client may not be neurotypical, may have a physical impairment, or may be experiencing mental distress. 2. Active listening skillsHelp ensure that “what a person is trying to say is fully communicated and accurately received and understood by the listener” (Rogers, 2020c, p. 23). The skill requires a high degree of self-awareness and an attunement to the feelings and thoughts of the other person. 3. Communicating with childrenIt is vital to understand children beyond their words. Awareness of child development is necessary to reflect on how they say things, how they behave, and their ability to communicate. 4. Emotionally intelligent social work“Emotional intelligence (EI) depicts our ability to recognize our own emotions and those of others” (Peach, 2020, p. 43). While intelligence and emotion are highly complex subjects, EI is essential to social workers’ ability to understand themselves and others. 5. Developing empathic skillsWhile also a desirable trait, empathy skills can be learned. They involve the ability to perceive others’ needs and reflect on their experiences. 6. Reflection and reflexivityReflective practice helps social workers to consider themselves and their actions, judgments, and thoughts when planning interventions. It encourages social workers to step back and think over an experience. 7. Understanding values, ethics, and human rightsAll these are fundamental to social work practice. They are necessary to balance conflicting rights and responsibilities, and to navigate unclear practice paths. 8. Valuing difference and diversitySocial identity is composed of multiple characteristics, including age, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and (dis)ability. It is vital for social workers to be both nonjudgmental and respectful of differences. 9. Resilience and self-careBuilding and promoting self-care and resilience benefit social workers and their service users. Professional resilience helps overcome daily challenges and build a long and enjoyable career. 10. Time managementWhile an essential quality, it is also a teachable skill. Social workers typically have “too little time in the day to complete their work” (Murphy, 2020, p. 109). As a result, they must find ways to allocate the right amount of time to the tasks they face. The above list is not exhaustive, but combined with the qualities, essential skills, and best techniques listed elsewhere in the article, they provide reasonable oversight of what is needed for a career as a social worker. Core Ethical Values: 3 ExamplesEthics are crucial to social work, as with all other caring professions. They come from recognizing being in a position of power, awareness of personal responsibility, and a desire to respect service users (Davies, 2013). The U.S. National Association of Social Workers provides a code of ethics, ethical principles, and ethical standards that reflect the uniqueness of the social work profession. While there are many aspects to ethical values, it is vital to remain mindful of oppression, its diversity, and how it develops from the interaction of personal prejudice, cultural beliefs, and broader social and structural factors (Rogers et al., 2020). These include, for example:
2 Best Techniques of Effective PractitionersSkilled social workers practice many techniques. The following two are highly valued in serving clients. Observation skillsWhile verbal communication is an important way to gather data, assessment often begins with observation (Rogers, 2020a). When visiting a service user’s residence or school, consider the following (particularly when children are involved):
While some social workers have become reluctant to touch children for fear of misinterpretation or allegations, contact can help gather additional information and convey reassurance (Rogers, 2020a). QuestioningInterviewing is an essential skill in social work. Social workers can learn techniques to improve information gathering through the use of multiple question types that can be tailored and used across many situations, including (Rogers, 2020b):
No single question type should dominate. It is better to use a range of questions to encourage a natural conversation, rather than an interrogation. Top 3 Books for Developing Your SkillsMany social work books can help students and practicing social workers hone and revisit their skills. We have selected three of our favorites. 1. Generalist Social Work Practice – Janice GaskerThis excellent book provides the reader with the knowledge required to practice social work using micro and macro skills. Janice Gasker explores the latest standards and guidance and shares lessons from her vast experience in the field of social work. While a practice book, it also offers insight into the entire social work education curriculum. Find the book on Amazon. 2. Developing Skills and Knowledge for Social Work Practice – Michaela Rogers, Dawn Whitaker, David Edmonson, and Donna PeachThis highly practical guide to social work practice provides the reader with an introduction to social work theories and everything needed to apply them in real-life practice. The accompanying website offers access to templates and how-to guides. Find the book on Amazon. 3. Essentials of Social Work Practice: A Concise Guide to Knowledge and Skill Development – Kathleen CoxKathleen Cox explores the concepts, tools, and techniques essential to running a social work practice. Straightforward narrative and dialogues take the reader through theory, the application of skills, and self-care strategies to facilitate coping. Find the book on Amazon. PositivePsychology.com’s Helpful ResourcesLooking to strengthen your skills as a social worker? Check out the following tools, resources, and self-assessments.
A Take-Home MessageSocial workers strive to help others and improve the lives of the most vulnerable populations. As a result, social work and society remain engaged in an intense, changing relationship, where each seeks to influence the other (Davies, 2013). Pulled between the powerful and the excluded, social workers have the difficult task of communicating with both to ensure the client’s needs are met. Therefore, it is essential to provide social workers with the training and skills necessary to care for the various populations seeking help, including children, the elderly, families, the displaced, and those with mental health issues. While divergent for some years, the potential for micro and macro skills to work more closely together brings increased support for people and communities. The skills discussed within the article provide support for relationship-based practice that focuses on respect and empathy, placing service users at the center of communication and focus within social work. Explore the qualities and skills captured within this article and review the additional reading to develop your understanding of the techniques available to the modern social worker. We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Positive Psychology Exercises for free. What makes a good social worker?Respectful
In short, respect for the client, their personal information, and their personal challenges is essential to being a professional and successful social worker. Social workers often work with diverse, and in many cases underprivileged, populations so it is imperative to keep an open mind.
What are the 7 values of social work?These principles set forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire.. Value: Service. ... . Value: Social Justice. ... . Value: Dignity and Worth of the Person. ... . Value: Importance of Human Relationships. ... . Value: Integrity. ... . Value: Competence.. What is the most frequently used skill in social work?Communication
Effective communication, both verbal and written, is the most frequently used skill in social work.
What are the skills required for social action?10 Skills Every Social Worker Needs. Empathy. Empathy is the ability to identify with or vicariously experience someone else's needs, circumstances or emotions. ... . Boundary Setting. ... . Active Listening. ... . Social Perceptiveness. ... . Self-Awareness. ... . Organization. ... . Coordination. ... . Persuasion.. |