CORE COMPETENCIES

BY: EMILY LAUDER

COMPETENCY ONE
 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1.1 Make ethical decisions by applying the standards

of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and
regulations, models for ethical decision-making,
ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of
ethics as appropriate to context.
Maintain the confidentiality of clients
Follow all local, organizational, and state
procedures and policies
 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1.2 Use refection and self-regulation to manage

personal values and maintain professionalism in
practice situations.
Identify personal values and/or bias while
working towards not allowing them to interfere
with work performance
 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1.3 Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior;

appearance; and oral, written, and electronic
communication.

Comply with company dress code

Maintain professional behavior with all
coworkers, clients, and community members
 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1.4 Use technology ethically and appropriately to

facilitate practice outcomes.

Utilize company computer and personal notes

while maintaining client confidentiality
 Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior

1.5 Use supervision and consultation to guide

professional judgement and behavior.

Receive daily feedback from task instructor to

assess behaviors
Meet weekly with supervisor to assess work
behaviors
COMPETENCY TWO
Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

2.1 Apply and communicate understanding of the

importance of diversity and difference in shaping life
experiences in practice at the macro, mezzo, and
macro levels.
Participate in field work and observe company
procedures
Listen to clients reflectively and treat them with
respect
 Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

2.2 Present themselves as learners and engage

clients and constituencies as experts of their own
experiences.
Observe supervisor/task instructor completing
work practices
Ask clients about their experiences and feelings
about experiences
 Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice

2.3 Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to

manage the influence of personal biases and values I
working with diverse clients and constituencies.
Reflect on daily experiences
Identify areas of biases, weaknesses, and
strengths
COMPETENCY THREE
 Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and
Environmental Justice

3.1 Apply understanding of social, economic, and

environmental justice to advocate for human rights
at the individual and system levels.
Engage with supervisors and directors of MCDSS
to address the extra resources needed to further
help clients
Identify any clients which may require extra
resources to improve quality of life
 Advance Human Rights and Social, Economic, and
Environmental Justice

3.2 Engage in practices that advance social,

economic, and environmental justice.
Volunteer to assist in activities/events sponsored
by MCDSS to benefit community
Elder Abuse Prevention Month last year they
hosted an Italian dinner
Fall festival promoting adoption and foster care
COMPETENCY FOUR
 Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-
Informed Practices

4.1 Use practice experience and theory to inform

scientific inquiry and research.

Study narratives, reports, and casefiles of repeat

clients to find most effective interventions
 Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-
Informed Practices

4.2 Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of

quantitative and qualitative research methods and
research findings.

Study suggested interventions and apply to

clients as needed
Find new interventions if they from non-effective
for clients
 Engage in Practice-Informed Research and Research-
Informed Practices

4.3 Use and translate research evidence to inform

and improve practice, policy, and service delivery.

Create a brochure explaining APS services and

providing contact information for those in need
or knowing someone in need
Distribute brochure throughout the community
to spread knowledge of resources
COMPETENCY FIVE
 Engage in Policy Practice

5.1 Identify social policy at the local, state, and

federal level that impacts well-being, service
delivery, and access to social services.

Identify the clients needs and the resources

available through MCDSS to properly meet these
needs
 Engage in Policy Practice

5.2 Assess how social welfare and economic policies

impact the delivery of and access to social services.

Assess the strengths and weaknesses of current

resources available at MCDSS
Identify where resources can be improved or
changed
 Engage in Policy Practice

5.3 Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and

advocate for policies that advance human rights and
social, economic, and environmental justice.
Coordinate with field supervisor to address any
resources currently lacking for clients and the
community
Brainstorm to find ways to provide these
resources to clients and the community
COMPETENCY SIX
 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.
Understand the clients wishes in regards to
living situations and resources available
Take into account how clients might be effected
by any changes in placement and plan
accordingly
 Engage with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

6.2 Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills

to effectively engage diverse clients and
constituencies.
Listen reflectively to clients to assure their needs
are understood
Use appropriate body language and verbal skills
to convey empathy
COMPETENCY SEVEN
 Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and
Communities

7.1 Collect and organize data, and apply critical

thinking to interpret information from clients and
constituencies.

Assess new clients and determine individual

needs and required resources
 Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and
Communities

7.2 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment, and
other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies.

Observe clients within their homes/facilities to

assess needs, availability of resources, and their
safety
 Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and
Communities

7.3 Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals

and objectives based on the critical assessment of
strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and
constituencies.
Work closely with clients to evaluate needs and
properly set goals relevant to their current
situations
Discuss all goals with clients and receive signed
consent on service plans
 Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations and
Communities

7.4 Select appropriate intervention strategies based

on the assessment, research knowledge, and values
and preferences of clients and constituencies.
Research appropriate intervention options for
client issues and apply as needed
Change intervention choices if they prove
ineffective for clients
COMPETENCY EIGHT
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

8.1 Critically choose and implement interventions to

achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of
clients.
Work closely with clients to choose relevant
interventions and set goals to enhance their
quality of life
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

8.2 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment, and
other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies.

Assess client needs and create service plans

based on their goals
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

8.3 Use inter-professional collaboration as

appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes.

Attend weekly staffing meetings to collaborate

with supervisor about the best practices needed
to properly serve clients
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

8.4 Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on

behalf of diverse clients and constituencies.

Attend visitations and assess client progress on

service plans
Represent clients properly to caregivers and staff
as needed
Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations,
and Communities

8.5 Facilitate effective transitions and endings that

advance mutually agreed-on goals.

Attend visitations and assess clients progress on

goals
Visit clients when they have moved to new
homes/facilities to assess their adjustment to a
new environment
COMPETENCY NINE
 Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities

9.1 Select and use appropriate methods for

evaluation of outcomes.

Meet with clients and caregivers to assess goal

progress
 Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities

9.2 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the

social environment, person-in-environment, and
other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the
evaluation of outcomes.

Meet with clients to update casefiles on any

changes and address needs
 Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities

9.3 Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate

intervention and program processes and outcomes.

Update goals and make adjustments where

needed

Discuss updates and changes with clients

 Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,
Organizations, and Communities

9.4 Apply evaluation findings to improve practice

effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.

Complete narratives based on information

gathered from phone calls/visits with clients

Make changes in service plans/notes as needed