Ch. 4 Summary - Understanding Generalist Practice PDF

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This is just a simple chapter summary of chapter four. ...

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Running Head: CHAPTER SUMMARIES

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Chapter Summaries Yoneko Lynae McDaniel Arkansas State University 4/3/2018

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Chapter One Summary Chapter one simply introduces what social work is, defines generalist practice, explains social workers’ different roles and how social workers apply ethics to practice, and also introduces the GIM. Social work focuses on any problem or any cluster of problems, promotes environmental change, stresses advocacy on the clients’ behalf, emphasizes professional values, and education. Generalist practice is the application of a wide base of knowledge. Generalist practitioners typically have a wide range of skills to target systems of different sizes for change. There are twelve concepts that characterizes generalist practice. This includes: the core of generalist practice rests on the foundation of eclectic knowledge (concept 1), acquisition of professional values (concept 2), use of a wide range of skills (concept 3) that can be used to change individuals, families, groups, or communities (concept 4), an emphasis on client empowerment and strengths (concept 5), the importance of diversity (concept 6), advocacy for human rights and the pursuit of justice (concept 7), work within an organizational structure (concept 8), assume a wide range of roles (concept 9), apply critical thinking skills (concept 10), incorporate research-informed practice (concept 11), and uses a planned change process (concept 12). The different roles that be acquired in generalist practice include counselor, educator, broker, case manager, mobilizer, mediator, facilitator, integrator/coordinator, manager, initiator, negotiator, spokesperson, organizer, consultant, and advocate. When it comes to any type of problem, social workers have a process they follow. Chapter one briefly identified the steps in the GIM. The steps include engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, and follow-up. However, there are specific sub-steps within assessment, planning, implementation, and evaluation.

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Chapter Two Summary Chapter two is about the practice skills that social workers must use when working with individuals. Some of the skills include interview and communication skills, interpersonal skills, Chapter Three Summary Chapter Four Summary Chapter four was over the skills a social worker must utilize when working with communities and organizations. Macro practice is simply working with larger groups. Two theories that underlie practice with larger groups include the organizational theory and community theory. The organizational theory focuses on what improves and what impairs an organizations ability to succeed. Working with an organization requires an understanding for management and its culture. The community theory focuses on the nature of communities and the role social work plays in that community. There are three types of interventions involved with working with a community: policy/planning, capacity development, and social advocacy. A social worker must use empathy, interpersonal skills, and group skills in macro practice. This allows social workers to form successful relationships. Group skills can include conflict resolution, being the mediator or negotiator, team building, public speaking, consultation, and coordination. Budgets and fundraising are also an essential in communities and organizations. This helps fund needed programs and continued existence. Educating and collaboration is also important when working with larger groups. Educating as a social worker is important so others will support your positions. Collaborating and working together are essential when accomplishing goals. This can include providing facts, offering helpful options for problems resolution, testing idea effectiveness, and appealing to the values, ethics, or scruples of the target.

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Assessing and planning for the needs of an organization or community is other macro skills. Chapter four was simply about the roles of social workers when working with larger groups. They must use some of the same skills but some different skills when working with a larger group rather than just with an individual. Chapter Five Summary Chapter five included more information on the GIM. It broke down the seven steps, engagement, assessment, planning, implementation, evaluation, termination, and follow-up. The chapter specifically spoke about the engagement and assessment process more. In the engagement process, it is critical to build a relationship with the client. The social work must be genuine, warm, and empathic. This process also includes the greeting, demonstration of effective attentive skills, a discussion about agency services and client expectations, offering appropriate services, and orientation. Assessment is the second step. Assessment must take place in micro, mezzo, macro aspects of the client’s situation. This step involves a lot of judgment on complete and incomplete information and is a continuous process. Strengths and limitations must be emphasized as well, especially their strengths. Strengths can include persistence, spiritual resources, motivation, intelligence, and commitment. This chapter also introduces the DSM-5, Diagnostic and Statistical Manual. This manual is used by social workers to communicate more efficiently with the professionals who use it when completing their own client assessments. It provides a common language and can be helpful when labeling a disorder, but does not consider client strengths or resources. Home visits may also be a helpful task when searching for more information about a family. This is their natural environment which means they are more likely to be comfortable there. This also shows the social worker the home environment, living conditions, and how the family members act

CHAPTER SUMMARIES towards one another in a nonpublic setting. It is important to use good judgement and your gut feelings when encountering neighborhoods with greater risks.

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