Competency #6

By; Shtika Moody

3/1/2017
SWK 4910 Field Seminar
Engage with Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and
Communities

6.1 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-
environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients
and constituencies
The behavior of adults is influenced highly by their environment such as their physical
capabilities, their income, family interactions and their religious beliefs.
When engaging with these clients it is important to recognize if they socialize with friends or
family. Knowing this information helps social workers know if they need to spend more time
building rapport with the client or provide social support.
Some clients at my field placement are determined to have low social support after their
initial assessment.
Engage with Individuals, Families,
Groups, Organizations, and
Communities

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients
and constituencies.
To use empathy to engage diverse clients, the use of social work values are engaged. The
client is respected but the social worker does not get emotionally involved. Social workers use
eye contact and maintain the conversation by directing the conversation toward short term
and long term goals the client can achieve.
The clients culture and beliefs are incorporated in developing their goals and are also used to
help a culturally competent social worker get the client to open up.