Competency Presentation

By: Sarah Richardson

Fall 2016
Field Seminar
Professor Jody Thomas

Competency 1

Demonstrate ethical and Professional

Behavior

Behavior 1.1
Behavior

Example
While visiting clients homes or

Make ethical decisions by applying the

standards of the NASW Code of Ethics,
relevant laws and regulations, models for
ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of
research, and additional codes of ethics as
appropriate to context.

speaking with clients, family

members, and caretakers over the
phone, act in a professional manner.
Be sure to follow the standards set
forth from the NASW Code of Ethics.
Be sure to honor the contracts
signed in orientation in regards to
confidentiality, laws, and
harassment.

Behavior 1.2
Behavior

Example

While being aware of my own

Use reflection and self-reflection to manage

personal values and maintain professionalism
in practice situations.

actions and demeanor, I also need

to listen to the advice and
constructive criticism of the agency
social workers who have been
practicing several years. This can
help me improve my professionalism
while dealing with clients and all
who are active in their lives.

Behavior 1.3
Behavior

Example
Dress in an appropriate way. MCDSS

has a dress code that has to be

followed.

Demonstrate professional demeanor in

behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and
electronic communication.

MCDSS requires a great deal of

documentation. It is important to
speak appropriately when entering
reports into the agencys system.
In order to have accurate

documentation you would also be

required to take accurate notes.

Behavior 1.4
Behavior

Example

Do not under any circumstances

share any client information on

social media.
Do not abuse the system by

Use technology ethically and appropriately to

facilitate practice outcomes.

changing documents.
Do not leave computers logged in.

This will help ensure confidentiality.

Behavior 1.5
Behavior

Example
While at MCDSS I am monitored by

the other social workers during

documentation, home visits, and
phone calls.
At the end of the task the social

workers provide me with feedback in

order to better my practice.

Use supervision and consultation to guide

professional judgment and behavior.

We also have all staff meetings and

individual meetings with the

supervisor to go over our progress.

Competency 2
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

Behavior 2.6
Behavior

Example

Be understanding and open minded

when going to a clients home. It is

not your place to judge. It is your
job to protect.

Apply and communicate understanding of the

importance of diversity and difference in
shaping life experiences in practice at the
micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Use this understanding on all levels

of practice.
You are there to assist the client,

they are allowing you into their

home, so be respectful.

Behavior 2.7
Behavior

Example

Be sure to listen to your client.

Present themselves as learners and engage

clients and constituencies as experts of their
own experiences.

Dont go in to any situation acting

like you are superior.
Just like yourself, nobody knows the

client better than themselves.

Behavior 2.8
Behavior

Example

Make it a point to act professional.

Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to

manage the influence of personal biases and
values in working with diverse clients and
constituencies.

Do not do something that will offend

or disrespect the client.
This is true for all contact with

clients.

Competency 3
Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and
Environmental Justice

Behavior 3.9
Behavior

Example
Help clients attain access to the

assistance they need based on what

you see and what the client tells
you.
If you enter a home and notice that

Apply understanding of social, economic, and

environmental justice to advocate for human
rights at the individual and system levels.

it is in bad condition; help the client

find a resource or facility that is
more suitable for their needs.
If you have a client that expresses a

need for something such as

Medicaid, Medicare, or SNAP; help
them attain what is needed to
receive this assistance.

Behavior 3.10
Behavior

Example

Do what is best for the client in any

Engage in practices that advance social,

economic, and environmental justice.

given situation. Work with the client

and their families/caregivers to
come up with a plan that is in the
best interest of the client.

Competency 4
Engage In Practice-informed Research and Researchinformed Practice

Behavior 4.11
Behavior

Example
At Moore County DSS we are the

Use practice experience and theory to inform

scientific inquiry and research.

guardians for some of our clients.

Part of this relationship means
completing a quarterly review of the
service plan. The service plan
consists of goals that the client,
facility staff, and social worker will
work together to meet on the clients
behalf.
During these quarterly meetings the

social worker, client, and staff will

discuss any interventions that may
need to be put in place. They use
what they know about the client to
find the assistance, interventions, and
community activities that best suit
the client and their wants and needs.

Behavior 4.12
Behavior

Example
Upon meeting a Functional

Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of

quantitative and qualitative research methods
and research findings.

Assessment is completed. During

this assessment the following
subjects are covered in casual
conversation social, environmental,
physical health, ADLs, IADLs, mental
health, and economic.
The results of these assessments

are used to create a service plan

that is suitable to the clients needs.
It can also be used to determine if
the client needs additional services
such as; food stamps, Medicaid,
repayee, etc

Behavior 4.13
Behavior

Example

If there comes a case where there

Use and translate research evidence to inform

and improve practice, policy, and service
delivery.

are several people having the same

issue with a service it should be
brought to the attention of the
proper authority. This would make
them aware of a problem and
hopefully effect change in the policy
to correct this issue.

Competency 5
Engage in Policy Practice

Behavior 5.14
Behavior

Example
When adults are reported to MCDSS

we go out to visit the home. Upon

entering the home and speaking
with client we would assess the
clients needs.

Identify social policy at the local, state, and

federal level that impacts, well-being, service
delivery, and access to social services.

We would then recommend

programs and assistance that best

suit the clients needs. If applicable
we will provide the clients with
applications.

Behavior 5.15
Behavior

Example

When meeting a client, after being

Assess how social welfare and economic

policies impact the delivery of and access to
social services.

reported, the client may be living in

a situation that the reporter and
even the social worker does not
agree with.
However, policy states that an adult

has the right to live how they

choose.
MCDSS will only step in if the living

situation is proven to be hazardous

to the client.

Behavior 5.16
Behavior

Example

If you come across a case or several

Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate,

and advocate for policies that advance human
rights and social, economic, and
environmental justice.

cases facing the same issue with the

same service do something about it.
Effect change to benefit all parties

involved.

Competency 6
Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities.

Behavior 6.17
Behavior

Example

When working with clients and their

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment,
and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks to engage with clients and
constituencies.

loved ones be sure to keep in mind

their values and beliefs.
Do not judge them based on what

you feel is right.

Listen to what they have to say.

Behavior 6.18
Behavior

Example

Try and put yourself in the clients

situation.

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal

skills to effectively engage diverse clients and
constituencies.

Do not treat clients in a way that

you would not want to be treated.

Be respectful of their situation.

Competency 7
Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

Behavior 7.19
Behavior

Example

While entering documentation from

Collect and organize data, and apply critical

thinking to interpret information from clients
and constituencies.

visits, collateral contacts, phone

calls, etc.. into the agencies
computer system, it is important to
be accurate in relaying what the
client, family member, caregiver,
doctor, etc says.
Do not misrepresent what is being

shared with you.

Behavior 7.20
Behavior

Example

When finding interventions that are

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment,
and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in interventions with clients and
constituencies.

appropriate for each client, keep in

mind their feelings and concerns.
What we believe to be helpful may

not be what the client is comfortable

or believes in doing.
Be respectful of the clients desires

and beliefs.

Behavior 7.21
Behavior

Example

When deciding what interventions to

put in place consult the client.

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention

goals and objectives based on the critical
assessment of strengths, needs, and
challenges within clients and constituencies.

If you try to incorporate

interventions that the client does

not agree with or believe in the
success rate will decrease.
Let each client be a part of their

path to success.

Behavior 7.22
Behavior

Example

After completing a Functional

Select appropriate intervention strategies

based on the assessment, research knowledge
and values and preferences of clients and
constituencies.

Assessment the social worker should

research intervention options that
suit the needs of the client.
The interventions found need to be

realistic for the clients situation,

mental status, physical abilities,
etc

Competency 8
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communites.

Behavior 8.23
Behavior

Example
Every three months the social

Critically choose and implement interventions

to achieve practice goals and enhance
capacities of clients and constituencies.

workers at MCDSS complete an

Quarterly/Annual Review for each
client. Part of this process involves
reviewing the clients Service Plan.
This plan includes mutually agreed
upon goals involving the client, the
social worker, the agency, and the
group home/facility (if applicable)
and what they can all do to assist
the client.
The success and reevaluation of

these goal is assessed every three

months during these review periods.
When necessary new goals are

created.

Behavior 8.24
Behavior

Example

When developing interventions with

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment,
and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in interventions with clients and
constituencies.

the client keep in mind where the

client is located (in a private
residence, a facility, what type of
facility, a group home, etc), who
the client has in their life to assist
them, and their mental capacity and
physical ability.
Use these things to create goals that

are realistic for the client and suited

to their needs.

Behavior 8.25
Behavior

Use inter-professional collaboration as

appropriate to achieve beneficial practice
outcomes.

Example

Collaborate with other social

workers to get their input on how to

best assist the client.

Behavior 8.26
Behavior

Example

At Moore County DSS I have seen

this competency most with the

wards of the state.
They became wards after being

Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on

behalf of diverse clients and constituencies.

deemed incompetent by the Clerk of

Court.
The social worker then becomes

their guardian. They advocate for

the client to ensure their health and
well-being.

Behavior 8.27
Behavior

Facilitate effective transitions and endings

that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

Example

Include the client in coming up with

goals that will benefit their growth,

well being, and personal care.

Competency 9

Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,

Organizations, and Communites.

Behavior 9.28
Behavior

Example

Use the appropriate tools to

Select and use appropriate methods for

evaluation of outcomes.

measure the success of each

interventions or service.
If the intervention/service that has

been put into place is not working

incorporate new
interventions/services.

Behavior 9.29
Behavior

Example
When measuring the success of an

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment,
and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes.

intervention/service consider where

the client is located (in a private
residence, a facility, what type of
facility, a group home, etc), who
the client has in their life to assist
them, and their mental capacity and
physical ability.
These factors could effect the

outcome of the intervention.

Behavior 9.30
Behavior

Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate

intervention and program processes and
outcomes.

Example

After implementing interventions be

sure to continuously follow up to be

sure they are effecting the needed
change or improvement.

Behavior 9.31
Behavior

Example

When necessary implement change

Apply evaluation findings to improve practice

effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro
levels.

on all practice levels. Whether it is

suggesting a new intervention to put
in place or improve an existing
intervention etc