The Ten Social Work Competencies Use this tool to explore the competencies within the social work

profession. See how the University of Southern Maine field work experience can help you achieve these competencies.

Engage, Assess, Intervene and Evaluate Contexts that Shape Practice

Identify as a Professional Social Worker

Application of Ethical Principles

Using Critical Thinking Skills

Social Work Competencies

Public Policy in Practice Engage Diversity and Difference

Knowledge of HBSE

Research

Commitment to Social and Economic Justice

Identify as a Professional Social Worker

Competency 2.1.1: Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly. Develop self-confidence and capacity for independent and interdependent functioning as a professional social worker

Professional Social Workers: Practice personal reflection and self-correction Understand boundaries Utilize supervision time efficiently Function as active listeners Demonstrate Professional demeanor (dress, behavior, etc.) Time managements skills

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Application of Ethical Principles

Competency 2.1.2: Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice Reflect on, identify the impact of, and manage personal values, feelings, and behavior in a way that allows professional values to guide practice Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice by applying strategies of ethnical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions

Social Workers: Recognize their own personal values in a way that is consistent with professional practice Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.

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Using Critical Thinking Skills

Competency 2.1.3: Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between facts, impressions, opinions, and feelings in their work with clients and collateral systems Apply critical thinking skills in the context of practice

Analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation.

Demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with: a) Individuals b) Families c) Groups d) Organizations e) Communities f) Colleagues

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Competency 2.1.4: Engage diversity and difference in practice

Engage Diversity and Difference

View and treat all people with dignity and respect

Understand the importance of difference in shaping life experiences

Demonstrate selfawareness of personal biases and/or values, and how they inform culturally sensitive practice

Recognize ways in which cultural structures and norms may oppress, marginalize, alienate, create, or enhance privilege and power.

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Commitment to Social and Economic Justice

Competency 2.1.5: Advance human rights and social and economic justice Appreciate and understand forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination and work to advance social justice

Advocate

Identify gaps in services and resources with an understanding of the connection between resource disparities and the forces of oppression.

Empower
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Competency 2.1.6: Engage in research informed practice and practice informed research Research
Make observations and pose questions for further investigative research

Peer reviewed journals

Correlational

Use practice experience to inform scientific inquiry

Qualitative vs. Quantitative

Base practice interventions on accepted research findings

Experimental

Literature reviews
Evaluate the effectiveness of practice interventions
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Use research evidence to inform practice

Knowledge of HBSE

Competency 2.1.7: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment Apply theories, such as strengths perspective and systems model, within the context of generalist social work practice in the field Apply knowledge of human behavior in assessments, interventions, and evaluations.

Apply critical thinking skills to examine theoretical constructs

Theories
Demonstrate understanding of theories of human behavior
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Competency 2.1.8: Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services Public Policy in Practice Continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing needs/problems within communities and propose solutions for organizational or policy change

Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well being

Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action

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Competency 2.1.9: Respond to contexts that shape practice Contexts that Shape Practice Develop awareness of the various social and economic forces and trends that influence the delivery and accessibility of social services Understand how organizations and institutions may impede service user need

Collaborate in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery Assist users of services by developing strategies of intervention that can promote improvement of access

Practice to improve the quality of social services

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A. ENGAGE Connect with client systems using empathy, active listening and other interpersonal skills Develop mutually agreed upon goals and desired outcomes with client systems B. ASSESS Collect, organize, and interpret client data to C. INTERVENE assess client strengths and limitations in order Help clients resolve problems by implementing to select appropriate intervention strategies preventive interventions that enhance client capacities - facilitate transitions and endings Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients while working to support Agencys missions, goals, and objectives D. EVALUATE Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions
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Engage, Assess, Intervene and Evaluate

Competency 2.1.10: Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities