CHAPTER ONE HOW SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE IS ORGANIZED The Practice of Generalist Social Work (2nd ed.)

Key Ideas Social work practice can be conceptualized in several different ways. Conceptualization of practice varies depending on many factors such as the roles, activities, frameworks, purposes, types of practice and practice settings in which social workers engage and the set of competencies and practice behaviors social workers utilize in their practice. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Types of Practice and Range of Practice Settings Types of practice include: Direct (one-on-one) Group Local and community development Specialized practice (family therapy, administration) Types of settings include: Schools Psychiatric facilities Family service organizations © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Activities and Roles Types of activities include: Advocating for policy change Facilitating an empowerment group Fundraising to support disadvantaged neighborhoods Types of roles include: Counselor Case manager Educator © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Competencies and Practice Behaviors Social work competencies consist of practice behaviors that social workers should be able to demonstrate in practice settings. Competencies are composed of a set of knowledge, values, skills, and attributes that social workers bring to their work. © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Client Groupings Individual work or casework Group work Community practice International work © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Practice Framework Engagement Assessment and planning Intervention Termination Evaluation © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Licensure Four types of licensure BSW MSW (upon graduation) MSW (after 2 years of supervised general experience) Clinical (after 2 years of supervised clinical experience) © 2011 Taylor & Francis

Tensions in the Profession Whether to promote a clinical or nonclinical approach to working with clients The extent to which social workers exercise social control or promote social change The extent to which social workers promote change or acceptance of their clients The struggle between encouraging clients to adjust to their circumstance or challenge their circumstance Whether social workers promote their expert position or share power with their clients The adjustment to globalization by the profession © 2011 Taylor & Francis