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What skills does a social worker need to be successful in their job?
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Judy’s Answer
My one-word answer as to the single most important skill in social work would be: LISTENING. But I will share more thoughts on this.
I believe that the highest priority characteristic for anyone entering the field of social work is respect for the many different cultures and life experiences of other people. This is often difficult, especially for people who may have grown up and lived only in communities where they are not exposed to diversity. So many of our ideas about what we may consider right or wrong are formed by the norms of our own family, church, neighborhood or ethnic/racial group. These are not absolutes but we may not have been exposed to people who think, speak and believe very differently. The world is a big place and the customs of people who are recipients of social work services may have family or cultural practices very different from our own. So a non-judgemental openness to these differences is critical. So LISTEN and learn, first, second and last.
Secondly, a person working in the field of social work needs to see their roles as assessing and understanding their clients' strengths as well as their needs. This can be challenging but is really the only way to support someone who wants or needs to improve their life situation. Older models of social work saw the worker as prescribing to the client what they needed to do to address their problem(s). This is rarely a successful approach. There is a need to establish trust by LISTENING and helping the client to identify their own strengths. People who are experiencing challenges are often frustrated and very down on themselves. They often do not think of themselves as having any strong character traits. (Please note: the ability to endure great challenges indicates innate strength.) So the social worker who can help them identify their strengths in very specific terms, as well as their needs and goals, can help the client become engaged and motivated to act in their own best interests. Volumes have been written about this as "Strengths-based Practice". If you LISTEN well, the hope is to develop a trusting working partnership with your client.
A third important skill is to have thorough knowledge of available resources in the client's community and through state and local government. Support services span a huge range: food banks, free clinics, mental health treatment, child care, respite services, day programs for elderly, support groups for parents (single or married), for disabled people, for LGBTQ or gender nonconforming, after school and day camps for school age kids, mentoring programs for teens, what is available through local school systems, AA, Al Anon, NA, housing stabilization, homeless services programs, domestic violence supports and other groups... the list goes on. Once a client begins to be motivated, a social worker can help them get connected to some of these supports that may address specific needs, knowledge or skills that will allow them to help themselves. And these - very generally - are the skills I would consider most important in social work.
Now if you are a social worker in an agency charged with, for instance, protecting children or elders from neglect and abuse, you would have some mandates that are nonnegotiable and can make it especially difficult to practice in the manner I've described above. Even when children must be removed from their family for safety reasons, the goal is always reunification if the family can improve their ability to care and provide for them. So a social worker who can be effective in assisting parents to better their situation can make a huge difference in the lives of both the parents and their kids.
I believe that the highest priority characteristic for anyone entering the field of social work is respect for the many different cultures and life experiences of other people. This is often difficult, especially for people who may have grown up and lived only in communities where they are not exposed to diversity. So many of our ideas about what we may consider right or wrong are formed by the norms of our own family, church, neighborhood or ethnic/racial group. These are not absolutes but we may not have been exposed to people who think, speak and believe very differently. The world is a big place and the customs of people who are recipients of social work services may have family or cultural practices very different from our own. So a non-judgemental openness to these differences is critical. So LISTEN and learn, first, second and last.
Secondly, a person working in the field of social work needs to see their roles as assessing and understanding their clients' strengths as well as their needs. This can be challenging but is really the only way to support someone who wants or needs to improve their life situation. Older models of social work saw the worker as prescribing to the client what they needed to do to address their problem(s). This is rarely a successful approach. There is a need to establish trust by LISTENING and helping the client to identify their own strengths. People who are experiencing challenges are often frustrated and very down on themselves. They often do not think of themselves as having any strong character traits. (Please note: the ability to endure great challenges indicates innate strength.) So the social worker who can help them identify their strengths in very specific terms, as well as their needs and goals, can help the client become engaged and motivated to act in their own best interests. Volumes have been written about this as "Strengths-based Practice". If you LISTEN well, the hope is to develop a trusting working partnership with your client.
A third important skill is to have thorough knowledge of available resources in the client's community and through state and local government. Support services span a huge range: food banks, free clinics, mental health treatment, child care, respite services, day programs for elderly, support groups for parents (single or married), for disabled people, for LGBTQ or gender nonconforming, after school and day camps for school age kids, mentoring programs for teens, what is available through local school systems, AA, Al Anon, NA, housing stabilization, homeless services programs, domestic violence supports and other groups... the list goes on. Once a client begins to be motivated, a social worker can help them get connected to some of these supports that may address specific needs, knowledge or skills that will allow them to help themselves. And these - very generally - are the skills I would consider most important in social work.
Now if you are a social worker in an agency charged with, for instance, protecting children or elders from neglect and abuse, you would have some mandates that are nonnegotiable and can make it especially difficult to practice in the manner I've described above. Even when children must be removed from their family for safety reasons, the goal is always reunification if the family can improve their ability to care and provide for them. So a social worker who can be effective in assisting parents to better their situation can make a huge difference in the lives of both the parents and their kids.
Updated
Laura’s Answer
I agree with Judy’s answer that listening is a very important skills. We also need to “meet the client where they are” in terms of readiness for making changes.
Most social workers choose to have membership in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) and abide by the Code of Ethics. This provides a framework for how we conduct ourselves.
Depending on your area of social work there are specialized skills you may need. Within clinical social work, the Code states that we only practice in our areas of expertise and not falsely represent our skills. We are required to take courses for continuing education in order to maintain our license. Many will go on to gain expertise in specific areas.
Probably the most important skill is to remember the client is the expert of their own life. It is not OUR agenda but theirs. We can support, motivate, guide and provide resources but it is the client who decides what to do. We need empathy and resilience because social work can be tough. We need to turn off our minds when we end our work day and practice good self care.
Most social workers choose to have membership in the National Association of Social Work (NASW) and abide by the Code of Ethics. This provides a framework for how we conduct ourselves.
Depending on your area of social work there are specialized skills you may need. Within clinical social work, the Code states that we only practice in our areas of expertise and not falsely represent our skills. We are required to take courses for continuing education in order to maintain our license. Many will go on to gain expertise in specific areas.
Probably the most important skill is to remember the client is the expert of their own life. It is not OUR agenda but theirs. We can support, motivate, guide and provide resources but it is the client who decides what to do. We need empathy and resilience because social work can be tough. We need to turn off our minds when we end our work day and practice good self care.
Angela Chan
Social services manager, Community advocate, Experienced in partnership and collaboration development
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Angela’s Answer
Hi Jessica:
The two previous responses from Laura & Judy are great and I won't repeat what they detailed and I totally agree. The one skill I will add to their list is to focus on the strengths and talents each person/family brings. So often, people in general and social workers specifically are guilty of focusing only on areas that people we work with need help with, such as lack of education, criminal record, addition, etc. If we start at a place of strength and talent, it's easier to move forward and build a plan for success with each individual. Those areas of strength and talent may have nothing to do with why they need your program/services but those are still important to recognize and call out.
Hope this helps,
angela
The two previous responses from Laura & Judy are great and I won't repeat what they detailed and I totally agree. The one skill I will add to their list is to focus on the strengths and talents each person/family brings. So often, people in general and social workers specifically are guilty of focusing only on areas that people we work with need help with, such as lack of education, criminal record, addition, etc. If we start at a place of strength and talent, it's easier to move forward and build a plan for success with each individual. Those areas of strength and talent may have nothing to do with why they need your program/services but those are still important to recognize and call out.
Hope this helps,
angela
Updated
Tonia’s Answer
Self awaress in order to deal with transference and countertransference.
Curiosity about people and the systems that surround them
Curiosity about your Self and how you engage in the world
Understanding policy and politics of the sector of social work you are working in
Someplace that you gather or can seek support - friends, church, therapist Most successful social workers have a spiritual or internal resource that helps them remain grounded and gives hope.
Reflect on what your values are and how you want to live them out
Curiosity about people and the systems that surround them
Curiosity about your Self and how you engage in the world
Understanding policy and politics of the sector of social work you are working in
Someplace that you gather or can seek support - friends, church, therapist Most successful social workers have a spiritual or internal resource that helps them remain grounded and gives hope.
Tonia recommends the following next steps: