Chapter 5:
       Generalist Practice
               with
Individuals, Families, and Groups



     Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                .
Empowering Programs with Resources
 that Enhance Social Work Education

     Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                .
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


           Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                      .
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
            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .
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




            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .
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
              Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                         .
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
              Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                         .
Planned process of intervention



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



EP 2.1.10d-g, 2.1.10i, 2.1.10m

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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
             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
Development of practice skills



• Conceptual skills
• Interviewing skills
  - Informational interview
  - Diagnostic/assessment interview
  - Therapeutic interview
• Recording skills



EP 2.1.10a

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
Practice theories and skills



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




EP 2.1.7a
              Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                         .
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
             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
Practice theories and skills (cont’d)



Groups
• Form of social organization whose members
  identify and interact with one another on a personal
  basis and have a shared sense of the group as a
  social entity
• Types of groups:
  - Natural groups
  - Primary groups
  - Planned groups


EP 2.1.7a
             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
Group work


• Seeks to strengthen positive personal functioning and
  social 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
             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
Effective group development



•    Purposefulness
•    Leadership
•    Selection of group members
•    Size




EP 2.1.7a

               Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                          .
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

            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .
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

            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .
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

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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

              Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                         .
Group settings



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



EP 2.1.7a

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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
               Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                          .
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

             Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                        .
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

            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .
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

            Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing
                                       .

Chapter 5 Social Work Practice with Individuals, Familie and Groups

  • 1.
    Chapter 5: Generalist Practice with Individuals, Families, and Groups Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 2.
    Empowering Programs withResources that Enhance Social Work Education Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 3.
    Social Work: ACompetency- 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 4.
    Resources Aligned toEPAS 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 5.
    Resources Aligned toEPAS 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 6.
    Generalist practice • Botha 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 7.
    Preparation for generalistpractice 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 8.
    Planned process ofintervention • Social study • Assessment • Goal setting • Contracting • Intervention • Evaluation EP 2.1.10d-g, 2.1.10i, 2.1.10m Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 9.
    The social worker-clientrelationship • 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 10.
    Development of practiceskills • Conceptual skills • Interviewing skills - Informational interview - Diagnostic/assessment interview - Therapeutic interview • Recording skills EP 2.1.10a Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 11.
    Beginning social workers Beginningsocial 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 12.
    Practice theories andskills Individuals and families • Ecological/systems framework • Ego psychology • Problem-solving approach • Cognitive behavioral approaches • Reality therapy EP 2.1.7a Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 13.
    Practice theories andskills (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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 14.
    Practice theories andskills (cont’d) Groups • Form of social organization whose members identify and interact with one another on a personal basis and have a shared sense of the group as a social entity • Types of groups: - Natural groups - Primary groups - Planned groups EP 2.1.7a Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 15.
    Group work • Seeksto strengthen positive personal functioning and social 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 16.
    Effective group development • Purposefulness • Leadership • Selection of group members • Size EP 2.1.7a Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 17.
    Theory for grouppractice • 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 18.
    Group work asa 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 19.
    Group work asa 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 20.
    Stages of groups Eachstage of group development is important for optimal group functioning: • Beginning • Norm development • Conflict phase • Relationship phase • Termination EP 2.1.7a, 2.1.10l Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 21.
    Group settings • Recreational settings • Settlement houses • Community centers • Family and child service agencies • Schools • Treatment centers EP 2.1.7a Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 22.
    Group termination • Socialworkers 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 23.
    Practice effectiveness • Professionalpractice 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 24.
    Supervisors of generalistpractitioners 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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 25.
    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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .
  • 26.
    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 Copyright © 2012 Cengage Learning, Brooks/Cole Publishing .