Advanced Social Work

With Individuals and

Families
QN: OUTLINE AND DISCUSS ANY SEVEN SOCIAL
WORK SKILLS
GROUP 10 MEMBERS
Ruramayi Dzorwa 210008

Natalie Nhari 210201

Lindsay Tsuro 210217

Mitchell Mare 210694

Shantel Chiposi 210690

Rukudzo Mutambanadzo 210730

Tecla Mabwe 210016

Michelle Phiri 200907

Shanice Makanani 210014

Sharmaine Nyabanu 210871

Praise Deketeke 210700

Queen Mdzeka 210845

WHAT ARE SOCIAL WORK SKILLS?

 Social work skills are the essential distinguished traits and abilities that are
expected of every social worker. These social work skills can be developed
through education, training and experience in the social work field.
 Hence , this question requires one to thoroughly discuss any of the 7 social
work skills that are essential for every social worker.
SOCIAL WORK SKILLS
 Empathy

 Effective Communication

 Organization

 Critical thinking

 Active Listening

 Self-Care

 Cultural Competence
 Empathy
 Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s experience and point of view.

 According to NASW ‘it is the act of perceiving, understanding, experiencing and responding to the

emotional state and ideas of another person’

 One can suggest that empathy is ‘putting yourself in someone else’s shoes’, therefore, by putting

yourself in a clients’ shoes, a caseworker is able to relate to the clients’ problems and be able to make

informed decisions and respond appropriately to the situation at hand. With empathy, clients will feel

valued, understood and accepted, thereby showing a willingness to open up to the social worker.

 Hence it is a vital skill that will lead to rapport,(a harmonious relationship) between a caseworker and

the client
Effective Communication Skills
 Effective communication skills is very a crucial aspect in social work and is required of every
social worker.

 Both verbal and non verbal communication is of great essence for social workers, one of these
alone is not enough to establish a relationship with a client, therefore, caseworkers have to display
their expertise by posing the appropriate non verbal cues like nodding, eye contact, appropriate
facial expressions and an upright posture when having sessions with clients. Verbal cues like
repetition of phrases, paraphrasing and summary are also important so as to achieve effective
communication between client and the caseworker.

 In Casework communication can also be said to be a ‘catalyst’ of achieving the clients goals, hence
solid communication between a social worker and client, caseworker and agencies, caseworker and
care providers in order to achieve clients’ goals.

 A social worker can build rapport by connecting through introductions, shared interests, mutual
understanding and empathy, therefore a client will feel respected and understood by effective
A picture of a caseworker’s set up for
effective communication
Organization
 A caseworker holds so many responsibilities and is expected to keep up with schedules and be able
to effectively manage client cases in order to achieve the intended goal.

 A caseworker is expected to manage and support multiple clients, complete documentation,

reporting, billing and collaboration.

 This requires social workers to be very organized and be able to prioritize every clients needs in
order to effectively manage cases.

 Organization results in achieving the clients’ goals, therefore resulting in successful restoration
and enhancement of client’s social functioning.

 Disorganization and poor time management could result in a caseworker overlooking a client’s
needs and produce negative outcomes.
Critical Thinking
 It is the ability to analyze information gathered either from observations or
communication.

 Caseworkers must be able to evaluate each case by collecting information through

observation, interviews and research.

 From critical thinking a caseworker is able to gain more information on the client.

 Thinking critically also enables the caseworker to make informed decisions, identify
the best resources for the client and come up with the best plan to help the client
Active Listening
 Caseworkers are mandated to be more of listeners and be able to display their listening skills in
form of verbal and non verbal expressions.

 Listening carefully, concentrating, asking questions and utilizing techniques like summarizing and
paraphrasing helps social worker to engage and build trust with their clients.

 A client develops a feeling of trusting the caseworker, thus opening up and expressing how they
feel without any boundaries.
Self Care
 Social Work can be demanding and emotionally draining

 A social worker is expected to engage in activities that help you maintain a healthy
work life balance.

 Self Care is a practice that helps to reduce stress and improve health and well-being.

 There are cases whereby the caseworker can end up experiencing same problems with
the client

 Self care prevents fatigue

 By taking care of themselves ,social workers are better able to provide the best services
for their clients.
Cultural Competence
 This is the ability to work with clients from diverse backgrounds and requires
caseworkers to be respectful and responsive to cultural beliefs and practices
 Caseworkers are expected to have a background on their client’s culture so as to avoid
offending clients.
 According to NASW, ‘examine their own cultural backgrounds and identities while
seeking out the necessary knowledge, skills and value that can enhance the delivery of
services to people with varying cultural experiences associated with; race, ethnicity,
gender, class, religion, age or disability.
 A caseworker should be able to possess an appreciation of diversity and a non-
judgmental attitude. Caseworkers should also express a willingness to learn about other
peoples’ cultures.
 This enables social workers to provide clients with the necessary help and guidance
they need in decision making.
REFERENCES

 Barker, R. L. (2003). The Social Work Dictionary. 5th ed. Washington, DC: NASW
Press Edward Bordin 1970
 Brighter Futures (2010) Caseworker Manual. London, Brighter Futures
 Cottrell, S (2005) Critical thinking skills. Basingstoke, Palgrave.
 effective-communication-and-counselling-patients-6-638
 Social Care Institute (2004) Teaching and Learning Communication Skills in Social
Work Education. London, Social Care Institute for Excellence.