SOCIAL WORK

COMPETENCIES AND
BEHAVIORS
BY: TASMON BULLARD
COMPETENCY 1: DEMONSTRATE ETHICAL AND
PROFESSIONAL BEHAVIOR
PRACTICE 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.
• Making decisions that will benefit the client and their children. Seek resources that will help
them better the situation they are living in. Domestic Violence victims encounter different
forms of abuse mental, verbal, financial, sexual, and physical. By learning and knowing the
NASW code of ethics, relevant laws and regulations, it will assure the decisions being made
will be beneficial for the client and their children.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 1:2

• Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism
in practice situations.
• Clients that come in can face a different situation then the previous client. Each client is
different and the trauma they experience with domestic violence is different. In order to
maintain professionalism all personal values need to be set aside. Provide a non judgmental
atmosphere when helping DV client’s and their children.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 1:3

• Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior; appearance; and oral, written, and

electronic communication.
• A professional demeanor in behavior is how a person presents themselves. Having a positive
attitude and being respectful of the client. Also appearance is also important, dress appreciate
client’s want to know that a professional is helping them. Follow agencies dress code. Speak
clearly and make sure the client understand. Lastly make sure all appointments are met, if a
client has to meet be there and on time. Provide clear and good communication skills. All
listed above are demonstration of providing professionalism.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 1:4

• Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.

• Client’s are able to use phones and computers to seek out resources such as jobs, daycare
assistant, and housing. No personal phone calls or web browsing is allowed unless it is to help
better their outcome within the DV shelter. Transportation is also provide to help seek
employment, government assistant, and health visits.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 1:5

• Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

• Plan for weekly meeting to assess behaviors and concerns from previous week. Follow up
with supervisor about any decision that are made regarding clients. Get supervisor’s viewpoint
before helping a client.
COMPETENCY 2: ENGAGE DIVERSITY &
DIFFERENCE IN PRACTICE
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 2.1

• Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in

shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels
• Communicate with clients about domestic violence. To get a better understanding of their
experience and listen to what they have to say. Help establish trust and avoid putting any
pressure on them.
• Advocate to community members and other organizations to help spread awareness for
Domestic Violence,
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 2:2

• Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their
own experiences
• In order to help a client we have to respect their boundaries and allow them to make the
steps for improvement with our help. This means allowing them to open up and be honest
about their situation but without any judgement. Always respect their decision and provide
encouragement through out their process.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 2:3

• Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and
values in working with diverse clients and constituencies.
• Try to keep a neutral relationship with your client. Do not let a client’s situation play a role in
your life. Any bias/judgments I have try to present them with my supervisor before helping a
client. Every decision made will be in the best interest of the client.
 COMPETENCY 3: ADVANCE HUMAN
RIGHTS AND SOCIAL, ECONOMIC, AND
ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 3:1

• Apply understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for

human rights at the individual and system levels.
• Participate in outreach programs that will benefit the enhancement of the agency and the
client.
• Advocate for program funding and denotations.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 3:2

• Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

• Participate in court visit’s with my supervisor and the client. Review any policies that have
been established around Domestic Violence to be aware of solutions to this issue. Promote
such policies.
COMPETENCY 4: ENGAGE IN PRACTICE-
INFORMED RESEARCH AND RESEARCH-
INFORMED PRACTICE
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 4:1

• 1. Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research.
• Use experience to help engage with clients and agency staff. Review policy and procedure of
the agency. Use theories to help back up information presented to the agency for better
resources for certain situations.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 4:2

• 2. Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research

methods and research findings.
• All research methods and findings will comply with the code of ethics and agency policies.
Apply critical thinking when finding different methods and research, present with agency and
clients to find more resources that would be appreciate and benefit both.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 4:3

• 3. Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service
delivery.
• Present all information and research evidence to all members on ways that can help advocate
and improve resources for the agency/shelter.
COMPETENCY 5: ENGAGE IN POLICY
PRACTICE
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 5:1

• 1. Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service
delivery, and access to social services
• Identify Robeson County resources and relate those to the clients as needed. Also identify
McKinney Vento Act.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 5:2

• 2. Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to
social services.
• Identify gaps in services and needs of the community. Explore how different policies work and
how they can affect the client.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 5:3

• 3. Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance
human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.
• Work with supervisor and agency staff to help ensure and provide the best service for clients
and children.
 COMPETENCY 6: ENGAGE WITH
INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, GROUPS,
ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 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.
• Apply self awareness when understanding the need of the client and how the agency/shelter can
help them. Understand how different resources that are offered can help benefit them and their
children.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 6:2

• Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and
constituencies.
• First listen to the client before providing any information or advice. The client needs to be
aware that their situation is important to us and that we want to hear from them. Be careful
overstepping a client when talking to them. Be empathic to them.
COMPETENCY 7: ASSESS INDIVIDUALS,
FAMILIES, GROUPS, ORGANIZATIONS,
AND COMMUNITIES
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 7:1

• Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients
and constituencies.
• Assess information from client to determine what type of services they may need while
staying in the shelter. Work with supervisor to complete these assessments.
BEHAVIOR PRACTICE 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 previous clients from the shelter who are now in a safe environment and those that
are not. Use information from both the agency and the previous client to help out with future
clients. Apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment by observing previous
actions from past clients.
BEHAVIOR PRACTICE 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 with supervisor to help create achievable goals for clients while in the shelter. Discuss
these goals with the client and the importance of achieving such goals.
BEHAVIOR PRACTICE 7:4

• Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge,

and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.
• Work with agency staff when evaluating clients after their EXIT from the shelter. Also work
with supervisor to determine programs that certain clients qualify for. Ex. Rapid Rehousing
COMPETENCY 8: INTERVENE WITH
INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, GROUPS,
ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 8:1

• 1. Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance
capacities of clients and constituencies.
• Work with agency staff to evaluate and select those clients that meet criteria and how we can
support the client through process.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 8:2

• 2. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-

environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with
clients and constituencies.
• Work with agency to establish a learning plan based on the needs of the clients. Help promote
the learning plan to clients and their children.
PRACTICE BEHVAIOR 8:3

• 3. Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice

outcomes.
• Attend all meetings and work closely with staff to promote the purpose of the agency. Speak
to the supervisor on any ideas or suggestions I might have that could help benefit the agency.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 8:4

• 4. Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and
constituencies.
• Be an advocate for the client and their children to the agency.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 8:5

• 5. Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.
• Meet with supervisor about doing a follow up with all clients once they exit the shelter.
Follow up with clients to make sure they are still committed to achieving goals.
COMPETENCY 9: EVALUATE PRACTICE
WITH INDIVIDUALS, FAMILIES, GROUPS,
ORGANIZATIONS, AND COMMUNITIES
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 9:1

• Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes.

• One on one meetings once a week to make sure clients are achieving goals set. Help client be
aware of any future goals they may want to look at doing after the exit the shelter. Use a test
to measure the success of their progress.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 9:2

• Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment,

and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes.
• Continue to check on clients that are placed in the shelter and provide support to those them
and their children. Work with supervisor to make sure clients are aware of the agency’s
resources.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 9:3

• Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and
outcomes.
• Follow up with clients after they EXIT the shelter to make sure goals are still set in place.
Follow up with clients about future goals they would like to set for themselves.
PRACTICE BEHAVIOR 9:4

• Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and
macro levels.
• Write a report to help spread awareness for Domestic Violence and distribute information
through community.