Social Worker Roles and Relationships

This is part III under Professional relationships,values and ethics section which comprises 27% of exam content. Few topics covered as per ASWB study guide

According to Beulah R COmpton in Social Work Processes  (important reference material )

1. Social Worker Client relationship patterns :

  The elements of relationship differ in terms of the nature of the role of socia worker (helper, advocate, policy maker,researcher) and the type of system in which the change agent is involved. Common to all include :

1. concern for others
2. commitment and obligation
3. acceptance and expectation
4. empathy
5. genuineness
6. Authority and Power
7. Purpose

To carry out professional relationships with professional skills workers will need to make the following qualities as part of their professional selves :

Maturity , creativity, capacity to observe self, the desire to help, courage, sensitivity and the ability to endure ambiguity.

Ref : https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=5&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CD0QFjAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fweb.mnstate.edu%2Fclarkt%2FDocs%2FSW420%2520ppts%2FThe%2520Client-Worker%2520Relationship.ppt&ei=b2GbU9fMM8zNsQTSyYLQAg&usg=AFQjCNGBphud4XEHQfSaQUw2Gv28g9hFLA&bvm=bv.68911936,d.cWc


Concept of a helping relationship :

Alan Keith Lucas defines helping relationship as "the medium which is offered to people in trouble through which they are given an opportunity to make choices, both about taking help and the use they will make of it," Qualities of the relationship are mutuality, reality, feeling, knowledge, concern for other person, purpose, takes place in here and now,offers something new and non judgmental. further elements of social worker client relationship apart from one mentioned above would be commitment to the needs of the client system, objectivity and self awareness on the part of the worker.

The purpose of the relationship was described as creating an atmosphere, the development of personality, a better solution of the client's problem, the means for carrying out function, stating and focusing reality and emotional problems, and helping a client to make more acceptable adjustment to a personal problem.

Principles of relationship building

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0CB0QFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcstl-hhs.semo.edu%2Fstokes%2Fsw110%2FSeven%2520Principles%2520of%2520the%2520Social%2520Work%2520Relationship.ppt&ei=RZCYU9ShNYvksAT1yYK4CQ&usg=AFQjCNFb4Cy5ua2o7tgC4oSblDlyWy0vRg&sig2=N8z3MgigPsgBJvZqelU4bw&bvm=bv.68693194,d.cWc

1. Purposeful expression of feelings

2. controlled emotional involvement

3. Acceptance

4. individualization

5. non judgemental attitude

6. client self determination

7. confidentiality

Social Worker client relationships in work with small groups

Konopka describes that the relationship between social worker and the small helping group differs from that of a social worker involved with an individual in the following ways :
1. members support each other and are not alone with the authority
2. there is greater informality
3. members are surrounded by others in the same boat and there is a feeling of identification impossible in social casework
4. Members are not bound to accept other members
5. the worker is shared
6. there is lack of confidentiality within the group

Concept of Empathy

Empathy is the necessary quality in a helping relationship. "Empathy is the capacity to enter into the feelings and experiences of another- knowing what the other feels and experiences- without losing oneself in the process. The helping person makes an active effort to enter into the perceptual frame of the other person without losing personal perspective, but, rather, using that understanding to help the other person.

Carl Rogers defines empathy as" the perceiving of the internal frame of reference of another with accuracy, and with the emotional components which pertains thereto, "as if" one were the other person but without losing the "as if" condition."

TO be simple, empathy is the capacity to feel an emotion deeply and yet  to remain separate enough from it to be able to use knowledge.

Process of engagement in Social Work practice

Engagement refers to the clients’ willingness to partake in the therapeutic process  and is therefore critical to change influenced by social workers. The therapeutic alliance is also known as the collaborative relationship between the client and the social worker, the strength and structure of which is often based on the clients’ level of engagement. ref: http://socialworkersanonymous.wordpress.com/2013/01/29/the-use-of-you-in-client-engagement/

Ref (important ) : http://anzasw.org.nz/documents/0000/0000/0613/Principles-for-Engagement_1_.pdf
Engagement is founded on the following main components (Bordin, 1994; Kirsh & Tate, 2006):

• the connection and rapport between the service user
and worker
• the collaborative nature of the work
• agreement on goals

• agreement on tasks.
Self-disclosure can be an invaluable tool when employed ethically and purposefully in establishing a collaborative relationship and engaging the client in further working with the social worker, yet if not employed properly it can cause incredible and irreparable  damage to the client. 
Ref : http://books.google.com/books?id=1dZTDeLF368C&pg=PA20&lpg=PA20&dq=client+engagement+in+social+work&source=bl&ots=a-7P2MSnFU&sig=0jfFW5XoUTllA4nsvktGBGc-hfw&hl=en&sa=X&ei=4V2XU8TyGNWnsQS46IHoAw&ved=0CG0Q6AEwCTgK#v=onepage&q=client%20engagement%20in%20social%20work&f=falseThe quality of relationship between the client and the helping person is extremely important and should not be underestimated. In direct practice client engagement is comprised of two activities :
1. establishing a beginning relationship of trust between the client and the practitioner 
2. establishing the client in the role of a client, willing to mutually identify and work on the identified target problem. establishing rapport and creating a helping alliance are terms that also describe  what we refer to as engagement. 
Client engagement with voluntary client who come for help is usually refered as "relationship enhancement", whose specific techniques include client structuring, imitation and conformity, helper expertness, credibility, empathy, warmth and self disclosure, helper client matching, physical closeness and posture, negotiation of meaning and overcoming cultural differences. research suggests that practitioner client relationship improves as the quantity and quality of these enhancers increase. these individual enhancers group together to create the three qualities most often attributed to effective practitioners : interpersonal attraction, trustworthiness and perceived expertness. 

This differs in great with client worker relationship when it comes to involuntary clients. those which enhance the relationship with voluntary clients may have a negative influence on relationships while working with involuntary clients.   

Ref : http://books.google.com/books?id=yKCMAgAAQBAJ&pg=PA150&lpg=PA150&dq=client+engagement+in+social+work&source=bl&ots=oJhRlXYf3o&sig=7N1tVtlRCU4QOvDXFpi87oge-Yk&hl=en&sa=X&ei=o2OXU-nfJuHEsATcooBA&ved=0CD0Q6AEwAzge#v=onepage&q=client%20engagement%20in%20social%20work&f=false

Concepts of Transference and counter transference

Transference is the phenomenon whereby we unconsciously transfer feelings and attitudes from a person or situation in the past on to a person or situation in the present. The process is at least partly inappropriate to the present

Countertransference is the response that is elicited in the recipient (therapist) by the other's (patient's) unconscious transference communications . Countertransference response includes both feelings and associated thoughts. When transference feelings are not an important part of the therapeutic relationship, there can obviously be no countertransference.

Ref : http://mondaynightgroupsupervision.blogspot.com/2010/02/transference-counter-transference.html

http://apt.rcpsych.org/content/6/1/57.full

http://socialworkexamreview.blogspot.com/2007/06/managing-transference-and.html

Social worker role in problem solving process

The problem solving process in SW consist of 3 phases

1. contact phase (Problem identification, problem definition, goal identification, preliminary contract on working towards agreed goal, exploration and investigation)

2. contract phase ( assessment and evaluation /diagnosis, formulation of plan of action, prognosis)

3. action phase( carrying out the plan, termination, evaluation)

this might differ slightly in terms of long term or short term intervention. 

however the role of social worker would be multiple differing in each phase sometimes clubbing more than one role at a time. Every phase of problem solving involves use of specific skills. The role of the social worker depends upon client system, agency setting/policy and the problem.  A social worker is a helper in the initial phase and mostly throughout the problem solving process. helping client or client system to analyse the needs, identify problems and work through it, A social worker also takes up the role of enabler, teacher, broker, advocate, mediator, adviser/guide, facilitator and so on.

Ref : http://allisonmurdach.wordpress.com/2011/05/05/helen-harris-perlman-and-the-problem-solving-model/

http://staciehebert.blogspot.com/2012/07/the-social-work-intervention-model.html

Social worker client relationship in work with community and organizations
according to Pincus and Minahan relationship can be thought of as an affective bond between workers and other systems with which they may be involved and that relationships may involve an atmosphere  of collaboration, bargaining or conflicted. A lot of literature has developed around relationship between social worker and client in one to one or one to group setting, but not really in terms of community or larger group. 

Social workers engaged in administration, policy planning and organization activities often carry a client relationship with the system in which they are involved, but the responsibilities they assume within this relationship are quite different from those of the direct services helping relationship. In these relationships too they carry no responsibility to help the other system with personal problems or  individual member or group as a unit. rather, they are involved in helping the client system to change another system in regard to certain professional policies and programs. either helping individual or group or communities,there are certain elements in relationships which are common to all. The elements of power and authority may be lodged in persons other than social worker especially in situations involving policy making or organizational change. the elements and skills a social worker needs differs in range with respect to client (individual or group or community) and used deferentially. 

Client's role in problem solving process 

The problem solving process begins from the clients need. even those individuals, families or groups who were often held by earlier helping systems to be unreachable and beyond help could participate as partners in the problem solving process once they understood that the SWr is listening and, really wanted to know them as people (not as interesting case) and were willing them to pursue their own goals. There is rich information client could give on goals they worked previously on but could not attain due to reasons. and this is the point where problem solving really began. The insight from the side of the client and a clear communication to social worker or the SWr responsibility and skill in understanding the whole concept gives concrete goals to work and bring change.  Therefor the process demands clients following:

a. that they be able to share with the worker, information about something they would like to have changed
b. that they achieve something that is of value to them
c. that as the worker is able to demonstrate concern and competence to help with the exploration of this problem, clients are able to trust this concern enough and
d. they allow worker to continue to meet with them around this purpose.
That is all that is demanded from the client system

Ref : social work processes pg: 383-384

Other references :

Social Work practice a generalist approach. Louise C Johnson
books available @ openlibrary.org which is free to borrow and use online.

Professional values and Ethics

Professional Values and ethics :

this forms 27% of testing content for ASWB exam. (topics covered according to ASWB study guide)

Values : Service, social justice, dignity and worth of human person, integrity, competence and importance of human relationships

Based on the above professional values, the ethical standards concern

1. responsibility to clients
2. responsibility to colleagues
3. responsibility in practice setting
4. responsibility as professionals
5. responsibility towards profession
6. responsibility towards broader society


a. commitment to clients : SW's primary responsibility is to promote the wellbeing of the client, in general clients interests are primary, however SW's responsibility towards the larger society or specific legal obligation may supersede the loyalty owed to clients and the clients should so be advised.

b. Client Self Determination :Social workers respect the individual’s right to make independent decisions and to participate actively in the helping process. People have a right to freedom as long as they do not infringe on the rights of others. Therefore, transactions with people who are seeking and utilizing resources should enhance their independence and self-determination. Our commitment to client self-determination and empowerment is hollow if clients lack access to the resources necessary to achieve their goals hence Social workers are committed to assisting client systems to obtain needed resources. People should have access to the resources they need to meet life’s challenges and difficulties as well as access to opportunities to realize their potential throughout their lives. Social workers may limit clients’ right to self-determination when, in the social workers’ professional judgment, clients’ actions or potential actions pose a serious, foreseeable, and imminent risk to themselves or others.

c. Intrinsic worth and value of the individual : Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person. Social workers treat each person in a caring and respectful fashion, mindful of individual differences and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination. Social workers seek to enhance clients’ capacity and opportunity to change and to address their own needs. Social workers are cognizant of their dual responsibility to clients’ interests and the broader society’s interests in a socially responsible manner consistent with the values, ethical principles, and ethical standards of the profession.

d. client's right to refuse service : In instances when clients lack the capacity to provide informed consent, social workers should protect clients’ interests by seeking permission from an appropriate third party, informing clients consistent with the clients’ level of understanding. In such instances social workers should seek to ensure that the third party acts in a manner consistent with clients’ wishes and interests. Social workers should take reasonable steps to enhance such clients’ ability to give informed consent.
(d) In instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients’ right to refuse service.

e. ethical issues regarding termination :  1. terminate when the treatment no longer required or no longer serves the clients needs or interests, 2. when client is still in need of services and under unusual circumstance the client has to be terminated, possible efforts to arrange for the continuation of service must be taken and for no others reasons than SW's disability, relocation or other unusual conditions. When doing so, the risks must be mitigated on possile adverse effects, 3. Social workers should not terminate services to pursue a social, financial, or sexual relationship with a client., 4. Social workers who anticipate the termination or interruption of services to clients should notify clients promptly and seek the transfer, referral, or continuation of services in relation to the clients’ needs and preferences. 5. Social workers who are leaving an employment setting should inform clients of appropriate options for the continuation of services and of the benefits and risks of the options.

f. Identification and resolution of ethical dilemmas & h.applying ethics to practice issues : when attempting to resolve an ethical dilemma in practice, social workers should determine if it is an absolute or approximate dilemma; distinguish between personal and professional dimensions; and identify the ethical, moral, legal, and values considerations in the situation. After conducting this preliminary analysis, an ethical decision-making model can then be appropriately applied.    http://www.socialworker.com/feature-articles/ethics-articles/What_Is_an_Ethical_Dilemma%3F/ and https://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/oepr/steps.asp  and http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_101402.shtml and http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_101402.shtml and http://naswil.org/news/chapter-news/featured/ethics-corner-resolving-ethical-dilemmas/ and http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/viewFile/124/107


g Responsibility to seek supervision :

1. Social workers should provide services in substantive areas or use intervention techniques or approaches that are new to them only after engaging in appropriate study, training, consultation, and supervision from people who are competent in those interventions or techniques.
2. When faced with ethical dilemmas, SW should seek supervision, usually the agency has the ethics committee who are trained to handle such situations
3. http://www.socialworkers.org/practice/naswstandards/socialworksupervision/SUPERVISION%20STANDARDS2%20Public%20Comment%20Draft%20August%2016.pdf

h. Use of professional development to improve practice :

i. Professional boundaries : Social Workers should under no circumstance engage in any sexual activity with current or former clients or to the person close to the client, incase of any such involvement, it is the social workers burden and not the client's to prove that the client has not been exploited, coerced or harmed. Also SWrs should not provide clinical services to clients with whom prior sexual involvement is present. Social Wkrs should not involve in physical contact with client when it has the possibility to harm the client. SWks are responsible for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries that govern such physical contact. Sexual harassment of any kind strictly prohibited, Swks cannot use derogatory language, they must be respectful in all their communications with and about the client

b. Confidentiality :  ref http://journals.iupui.edu/index.php/advancesinsocialwork/article/viewFile/124/107

legal and ethical issues regarding confidentiality,including electronic communication, use of client records,ethical issues regarding mandatory reporting and obtaining informed consent

1.responsibility to the larger society or specific legal obligations may on limited occasions supersede the loyalty owed clients, and clients should be advised about it
2. client's right to self determination can be limited when the SW r finds threats/imminent risk for client and others or larger society
3. In instances when clients are not literate or have difficulty understanding the primary language used in the practice setting, social workers should take steps to ensure clients’ comprehension. This may include providing clients with a detailed verbal explanation or arranging for a qualified interpreter or translator whenever possible.
(c) In instances when clients lack the capacity to provide informed consent, social workers should protect clients’ interests by seeking permission from an appropriate third party, informing clients consistent with the clients’ level of understanding. In such instances social workers should seek to ensure that the third party acts in a manner consistent with clients’ wishes and interests. Social workers should take reasonable steps to enhance such clients’ ability to give informed consent.
(d) In instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, social workers should provide information about the nature and extent of services and about the extent of clients’ right to refuse service.
(e) Social workers who provide services via electronic media (such as computer, telephone, radio, television) should inform recipients of the limitations and risks associated with such services.
(f) Social workers should obtain clients’ informed consent before audiotaping or videotaping clients or permitting observation of services to clients by a third party.

disclosing confidences :

1. when there is a harm at stake either at self or others (specific information required to help)
2. sucidality, homicidality , suspected harm to children, decompensation (when client is unable to take care of oneself and thus causes threat to self or others eg: dementia, psychotic (accute),  subpoenas .under all these cases confidentiality can be broken, but only required information must be provided according to situation and the client must be informed about it.
3. when AIDS is involved

Ref :

 the Jennifer Keeton case at Augusta State University and the Julea Ward case at Eastern Michigan University

NASW code of Ethics

http://quizlet.com/44253454/ethics-confidentiality-flash-cards/