WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:02.600 Hello, I'm Anna. I'm a social worker and also a YouTuber, 00:00:02.600 --> 00:00:06.100 and I'm so, so excited for today's video series 00:00:06.100 --> 00:00:08.720 where we will be going over the social work helping process. 00:00:08.720 --> 00:00:11.800 This is also following the social work Generalist Intervention Model, 00:00:11.800 --> 00:00:13.200 which you might also hear it talked about, 00:00:13.200 --> 00:00:15.800 but really it's the steps, the basic framework 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:18.960 that every social worker uses in their form of intervention. 00:00:18.960 --> 00:00:23.120 This is applicable on a micro level, on a meso level, and on a macro level, 00:00:23.120 --> 00:00:25.680 and we'll talk about not only what each step is, 00:00:25.680 --> 00:00:27.160 but also how to do it well, 00:00:27.160 --> 00:00:29.400 what it includes, and how to do it ethically. 00:00:29.400 --> 00:00:31.900 If you haven't seen me before, hi, like I said, I'm Anna 00:00:31.900 --> 00:00:35.300 and I have a lot of videos covering lots of different topics of social work 00:00:35.300 --> 00:00:38.660 and then also give a look into my authentic life as a social worker. 00:00:38.660 --> 00:00:41.100 I graduated with my MSW about a year ago 00:00:41.100 --> 00:00:43.500 and have had a postgrad journey since then 00:00:43.500 --> 00:00:45.820 that I would love for you to subscribe and join along for. 00:00:45.820 --> 00:00:48.220 In today's video, we will be talking specifically about 00:00:48.220 --> 00:00:51.260 the engagement and assessment steps of the helping process. 00:00:51.260 --> 00:00:54.300 The second video in this series will cover planning and intervention 00:00:54.300 --> 00:00:57.540 and the final video in this series will cover evaluation and termination, 00:00:57.540 --> 00:01:00.060 which gave a spoiler into the steps of the helping process. 00:01:00.060 --> 00:01:01.900 But that's okay, you're going to learn them anyways. 00:01:01.900 --> 00:01:03.460 Without too much further introduction, 00:01:03.460 --> 00:01:04.840 let's get into the helping process. 00:01:04.840 --> 00:01:06.820 Like I said, these steps are going to be 00:01:06.820 --> 00:01:09.140 a basic framework that social workers follow. 00:01:09.140 --> 00:01:11.540 Obviously, each social workers way that they do 00:01:11.540 --> 00:01:14.900 each step of this process and the little caveats and tools they 00:01:14.900 --> 00:01:17.900 use in between will look different depending on what area of 00:01:17.900 --> 00:01:21.100 the field you work within and also what your scope of practice is, 00:01:21.100 --> 00:01:23.340 whether it's one on one, whether it's with groups, 00:01:23.340 --> 00:01:26.800 with communities, with with countries, whatever you're doing. 00:01:26.800 --> 00:01:28.720 But no matter where you work in social work, 00:01:28.720 --> 00:01:30.920 the code of ethics is always applicable. 00:01:30.920 --> 00:01:33.840 I think it's really important to begin with the principles of 00:01:33.840 --> 00:01:35.360 social work so we can see how those 00:01:35.360 --> 00:01:37.600 apply as we go into the steps of the helping process. 00:01:37.600 --> 00:01:40.040 The principles of the social work profession are that 00:01:40.040 --> 00:01:42.400 social workers primary goal is to help people in 00:01:42.400 --> 00:01:44.920 need and address social problems, both of those two. 00:01:44.920 --> 00:01:47.160 He people in need and address social problems. 00:01:47.160 --> 00:01:49.280 Social workers challenge social injustice, 00:01:49.280 --> 00:01:52.360 social workers respect the inherent worth and dignity of the person. 00:01:52.360 --> 00:01:55.760 Social workers recognize the central importance of human relationships. 00:01:55.760 --> 00:01:58.210 Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner. 00:01:58.210 --> 00:02:00.380 Social workers practice within their area of 00:02:00.380 --> 00:02:03.660 competence and develop and enhance their professional expertise. 00:02:03.660 --> 00:02:05.580 That applies to every social worker. 00:02:05.580 --> 00:02:08.420 The helping process contains six steps, sometimes seven. 00:02:08.420 --> 00:02:12.180 We'll talk a little bit about that one, engagement, assessment, planning, 00:02:12.180 --> 00:02:16.180 intervention, evaluation, termination, and then the seventh one is follow up. 00:02:16.180 --> 00:02:17.780 No matter what social worker you are, 00:02:17.780 --> 00:02:19.660 no matter which area of the field you work in, 00:02:19.660 --> 00:02:22.260 you are always going to begin with engagement. 00:02:22.260 --> 00:02:23.620 When does engagement happen? 00:02:23.620 --> 00:02:25.340 As soon as you meet the client. 00:02:25.340 --> 00:02:29.420 It is the very first impression and it can also last way beyond 00:02:29.420 --> 00:02:31.700 the first session as you continue to establish 00:02:31.700 --> 00:02:34.175 a therapeutic rapport and build trust with the client. 00:02:34.175 --> 00:02:36.530 Whenever I say the client, all throughout these videos, 00:02:36.530 --> 00:02:38.650 I can mean an individual, I can mean a family, 00:02:38.650 --> 00:02:40.810 I can mean a group, I can mean a community. 00:02:40.810 --> 00:02:42.730 With establishing rapport, it can 00:02:42.730 --> 00:02:44.570 be one to one with an individual in front of you, 00:02:44.570 --> 00:02:46.410 or it can be with a community as a whole, 00:02:46.410 --> 00:02:49.210 establishing rapport with a neighborhood or with a school, 00:02:49.210 --> 00:02:51.050 with a city. What is engagement? 00:02:51.050 --> 00:02:53.890 Building rapport is a super common phrase in social work, 00:02:53.890 --> 00:02:55.610 but it really just means establishing 00:02:55.610 --> 00:02:58.210 a trusting working relationship between yourself and the client. 00:02:58.210 --> 00:03:00.130 Do they know you? Do they trust you? 00:03:00.130 --> 00:03:02.610 Understand who you are. Ultimately, rapport 00:03:02.610 --> 00:03:04.650 is built over time, but starting off, 00:03:04.650 --> 00:03:08.330 focusing in on establishing that rapport is so super crucial because it 00:03:08.330 --> 00:03:09.450 sets the foundation of how 00:03:09.450 --> 00:03:12.530 your working relationship will develop over time as you work with your client. 00:03:12.530 --> 00:03:15.170 Engagement is the first impression that the client will have of you. 00:03:15.170 --> 00:03:17.610 Are you focused on them and ready to assist them? 00:03:17.610 --> 00:03:19.810 Or are you frazzled and distracted and 00:03:19.810 --> 00:03:22.430 acting as if they're just another thing in your day that you have to do. 00:03:22.430 --> 00:03:23.810 I've already mentioned, and as I'm sure 00:03:23.810 --> 00:03:25.650 I'll continue to mention throughout these videos, 00:03:25.650 --> 00:03:29.090 the steps and what they include will vary based on what you're doing. 00:03:29.090 --> 00:03:33.330 However, some aspects of engagement that are pretty much always included, 00:03:33.330 --> 00:03:34.850 number one is an introduction, 00:03:34.850 --> 00:03:37.170 letting the client know who you are, what you do, 00:03:37.170 --> 00:03:39.010 what your role is, and also letting 00:03:39.010 --> 00:03:40.970 the client introduce themselves, listening to them. 00:03:40.970 --> 00:03:42.290 What's their name? Why are they there? 00:03:42.290 --> 00:03:47.000 Engagement will include explaining confidentiality and confidentiality limits. 00:03:47.000 --> 00:03:49.910 Is super important because before you do anything with a client, 00:03:49.910 --> 00:03:53.190 they need to know where the information that they disclose will go, 00:03:53.190 --> 00:03:55.430 who it will go to, when it is protected, 00:03:55.430 --> 00:03:58.750 and when it is not because then they can be informed as they talk with you. 00:03:58.750 --> 00:04:01.870 Reading from the social work Code of Ethics, this is 1.01, 00:04:01.870 --> 00:04:04.270 but social workers primary responsibility 00:04:04.270 --> 00:04:05.830 is to promote the well being of clients. 00:04:05.830 --> 00:04:08.085 In general, clients interests are primary. 00:04:08.085 --> 00:04:10.220 However, social workers responsibility to 00:04:10.220 --> 00:04:12.780 the larger society or specific legal obligations 00:04:12.780 --> 00:04:14.780 may on limited occasions supersede 00:04:14.780 --> 00:04:17.820 the loyalty owed clients and clients should be so advised. 00:04:17.820 --> 00:04:20.940 Examples include when a social worker is required by law to report 00:04:20.940 --> 00:04:22.540 that a client has abused a child or 00:04:22.540 --> 00:04:24.500 has threatened to harm themselves or others. 00:04:24.500 --> 00:04:26.220 Sometimes in a therapeutic room, 00:04:26.220 --> 00:04:29.180 that could look like everything you say here is confidential, 00:04:29.180 --> 00:04:31.580 meaning that I'm not going to go and tell other people about it, 00:04:31.580 --> 00:04:34.180 but the limits to that will be if you let me know that you 00:04:34.180 --> 00:04:37.100 are planning to hurt yourself or if there are allegations of abuse. 00:04:37.100 --> 00:04:39.180 Which in those cases, I'm legally obligated to 00:04:39.180 --> 00:04:41.430 make sure that everyone have to be that exact line, 00:04:41.430 --> 00:04:44.070 maybe that exact line isn't perfect, but something like that. 00:04:44.070 --> 00:04:47.310 They know, okay, if I tell the social worker that I am a harm to myself, 00:04:47.310 --> 00:04:49.830 that social worker then has an obligation to do something about it. 00:04:49.830 --> 00:04:51.670 Lets them know what's going to happen based on 00:04:51.670 --> 00:04:53.470 what they disclose or what they don't disclose. 00:04:53.470 --> 00:04:56.070 Introduction, confidentiality and limits to it. 00:04:56.070 --> 00:04:59.590 You'll also discuss the agency's services and what your role is within that. 00:04:59.590 --> 00:05:03.070 Maybe this agency offers assistance in connecting clients 00:05:03.070 --> 00:05:06.680 to resources to obtain housing, food, employment. 00:05:06.680 --> 00:05:08.800 What I'm here to do is assess if what we 00:05:08.800 --> 00:05:11.120 offer fits what your needs are. I totally made that up. 00:05:11.120 --> 00:05:12.880 But something like that where it explains what 00:05:12.880 --> 00:05:14.840 we offer and who you are so they know, 00:05:14.840 --> 00:05:17.160 okay, this is the situation, this is what we're doing. 00:05:17.160 --> 00:05:19.640 Engagement will also include setting boundaries. 00:05:19.640 --> 00:05:22.120 Again, this will look different depending on where you're at. 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:24.440 Sometimes boundaries will be explicitly stated. 00:05:24.440 --> 00:05:26.280 Maybe if you are in a therapy setting 00:05:26.280 --> 00:05:28.360 in a private practice and you explicitly state, 00:05:28.360 --> 00:05:30.720 I am not able to be reached outside of business hours, 00:05:30.720 --> 00:05:33.800 but if you do have a crisis in which you need help outside of business hours, 00:05:33.800 --> 00:05:36.160 here is a resource or line you can call, something like that. 00:05:36.160 --> 00:05:37.560 If there are boundaries that need to be set, 00:05:37.560 --> 00:05:39.110 sometimes they can be explicitly stated. 00:05:39.110 --> 00:05:40.860 Or if a client misunderstands what 00:05:40.860 --> 00:05:43.180 the services are that you're offering them like, perfect. 00:05:43.180 --> 00:05:44.940 I can't for you to pick me up each week and we can 00:05:44.940 --> 00:05:46.820 go get groceries together and you'll pay for them, 00:05:46.820 --> 00:05:48.620 and need to explicitly state, actually, 00:05:48.620 --> 00:05:50.740 the services that we provide are blank and 00:05:50.740 --> 00:05:53.020 I'm so excited to be able to connect you with resources, 00:05:53.020 --> 00:05:55.500 clearing up what the role is, that's setting boundaries. 00:05:55.500 --> 00:05:58.620 Another part of engagement is talking through expectations for treatment. 00:05:58.620 --> 00:06:00.500 Say that you are in a therapy setting and 00:06:00.500 --> 00:06:02.580 you have a client coming in for the first time and they say, 00:06:02.580 --> 00:06:04.180 just can't wait for you to fix me. 00:06:04.180 --> 00:06:07.500 I can't wait to be happy every single day, probably by next week. 00:06:07.500 --> 00:06:09.100 I'll never feel sad again. 00:06:09.100 --> 00:06:11.300 But talking through realistic trajectory 00:06:11.300 --> 00:06:13.820 of what may happen in therapy, what to expect, 00:06:13.820 --> 00:06:15.620 not promising any outcomes because 00:06:15.620 --> 00:06:17.860 we can never guarantee any outcomes, saying, 00:06:17.860 --> 00:06:21.380 I would love to work with you to identify what the stressors are in 00:06:21.380 --> 00:06:25.040 your life and what steps you can take to lessen them, something like that. 00:06:25.040 --> 00:06:28.780 Engagement will also include obtaining informed consent. 00:06:28.780 --> 00:06:32.060 This is very important because after you discuss expectations for treatment, 00:06:32.060 --> 00:06:33.660 what your role is, what the boundaries are. 00:06:33.660 --> 00:06:34.980 Clients get to decide if 00:06:34.980 --> 00:06:36.900 your services are something they want to go through with. 00:06:36.900 --> 00:06:38.820 You don't get to force your services onto a client. 00:06:38.820 --> 00:06:40.260 Self determination is key. 00:06:40.260 --> 00:06:41.820 Obviously, there are some settings 00:06:41.820 --> 00:06:43.820 where informed consent will look a little bit different. 00:06:43.820 --> 00:06:46.300 For example, if things are court mandated, court ordered, 00:06:46.300 --> 00:06:47.900 but in those cases where you can 00:06:47.900 --> 00:06:50.635 promote self determination in a client, you should still do. 00:06:50.635 --> 00:06:52.770 But as far as obtaining informed consent go, 00:06:52.770 --> 00:06:54.410 we can go back to our code of ethics because 00:06:54.410 --> 00:06:56.490 it talks about it explicitly, 1.03, 00:06:56.490 --> 00:06:57.930 social workers should use 00:06:57.930 --> 00:06:59.930 clear and understandable language to 00:06:59.930 --> 00:07:01.930 inform clients of the purpose of services, 00:07:01.930 --> 00:07:03.490 risks related to the services, 00:07:03.490 --> 00:07:04.690 limits to the services, 00:07:04.690 --> 00:07:06.730 relevant costs, reasonable alternatives, 00:07:06.730 --> 00:07:09.050 clients right to refuse or withdraw consent, 00:07:09.050 --> 00:07:10.770 and the time frame covered by the consent. 00:07:10.770 --> 00:07:14.045 Social workers should provide clients with an opportunity to ask questions. 00:07:14.045 --> 00:07:16.480 This doesn't mean just do a real quick spiel that you have 00:07:16.480 --> 00:07:17.640 memorized so super fast 00:07:17.640 --> 00:07:19.320 the client doesn't actually understand it and you're like, 00:07:19.320 --> 00:07:20.960 Okay, cool, cool, and then you're done. 00:07:20.960 --> 00:07:22.200 That's not really what consent is. 00:07:22.200 --> 00:07:25.320 The client needs to have the fullest understanding that they can possible of 00:07:25.320 --> 00:07:26.720 what the process will look like because there 00:07:26.720 --> 00:07:28.560 shouldn't be surprises that come up along the way. 00:07:28.560 --> 00:07:30.880 For example, you get five sessions and then you're like, 00:07:30.880 --> 00:07:34.000 actually, you owe $1,500 and I didn't tell you about that till now. 00:07:34.000 --> 00:07:35.720 Hopefully, no social workers doing that. 00:07:35.720 --> 00:07:38.380 But that's a drastic example of a lack 00:07:38.380 --> 00:07:41.620 of information given upfront that the client can consent to and say, 00:07:41.620 --> 00:07:43.940 okay, I understand the risks of what I'm getting into. 00:07:43.940 --> 00:07:46.780 For example, the fact that therapy might not always be comfortable. 00:07:46.780 --> 00:07:49.380 Okay, I understand that and I'm still willing to go through with it. 00:07:49.380 --> 00:07:50.540 I understand the pay scale, 00:07:50.540 --> 00:07:51.900 I understand when payment is due, 00:07:51.900 --> 00:07:53.260 I understand the expectations of me, 00:07:53.260 --> 00:07:55.980 I understand your role, and this is something that I'm willing to do. 00:07:55.980 --> 00:07:58.540 Notice that it says clear and understandable language. 00:07:58.540 --> 00:08:00.700 If there is a language barrier between you and your client, 00:08:00.700 --> 00:08:02.420 they can't give informed consent if you 00:08:02.420 --> 00:08:04.990 haven't presented information to them in a way that they can't understand. 00:08:04.990 --> 00:08:06.440 Then it also goes on to say, 00:08:06.440 --> 00:08:09.760 I instances when clients are receiving services involuntarily, 00:08:09.760 --> 00:08:11.600 like what we mentioned, maybe it's court ordered, 00:08:11.600 --> 00:08:13.760 maybe it's an involuntary hospitalization. 00:08:13.760 --> 00:08:16.480 Social workers should provide information about the nature and 00:08:16.480 --> 00:08:18.000 the extent of services and about 00:08:18.000 --> 00:08:20.080 the extent of clients right to refuse service. 00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:21.680 Quick overview of what we discussed. 00:08:21.680 --> 00:08:23.520 Engagement includes introductions, 00:08:23.520 --> 00:08:25.640 explaining confidentiality and the limits to it, 00:08:25.640 --> 00:08:28.240 discussing agency services and the social workers role, 00:08:28.240 --> 00:08:31.080 setting boundaries, talking through expectations of services, 00:08:31.080 --> 00:08:32.640 and obtaining informed consent. 00:08:32.640 --> 00:08:34.280 Some tips to do engagement well. 00:08:34.280 --> 00:08:37.280 I think number one is just to remember that it's a human to human interaction. 00:08:37.280 --> 00:08:39.640 Treat your client how you would want your loved 00:08:39.640 --> 00:08:42.085 one to be treated if they walked into your agency. 00:08:42.085 --> 00:08:44.090 If you have an imaginary uncle who's out there 00:08:44.090 --> 00:08:46.330 and was going to walk through the front doors of your agency, 00:08:46.330 --> 00:08:48.690 be kind, be welcoming, don't be judgmental. 00:08:48.690 --> 00:08:50.130 It's a human to human interaction. 00:08:50.130 --> 00:08:53.210 I think lots of times social workers can put pressure on themselves are like, 00:08:53.210 --> 00:08:55.810 it's time to be the superhero social worker. 00:08:55.810 --> 00:08:57.610 It's okay to laugh, to chat a little bit, 00:08:57.610 --> 00:09:00.170 to do a little bit of small talk, really establish that rapport. 00:09:00.170 --> 00:09:01.530 Whether you need to talk about the weather 00:09:01.530 --> 00:09:03.330 or if there's a sports game that just happened, 00:09:03.330 --> 00:09:05.170 being able to build a working relationship will 00:09:05.170 --> 00:09:08.250 ultimately lead to a beneficial social worker client relationship. 00:09:08.250 --> 00:09:11.530 A buzz phrase in social work is to meet the client where 00:09:11.530 --> 00:09:15.270 they That just means however the client is arriving to you, 00:09:15.270 --> 00:09:19.190 maybe they're not super ready or not super comfortable to enter services, 00:09:19.190 --> 00:09:21.030 meeting them there instead of assuming 00:09:21.030 --> 00:09:23.270 that they're so gung ho about something they're not. 00:09:23.270 --> 00:09:25.390 If they have reservations, meeting them there, 00:09:25.390 --> 00:09:28.070 it's okay if a client doesn't immediately warm up to you. 00:09:28.070 --> 00:09:30.830 Just because you do social work every day doesn't mean that a client 00:09:30.830 --> 00:09:33.950 is used to participating in social work services every day. 00:09:33.950 --> 00:09:35.350 If there is resistance there, 00:09:35.350 --> 00:09:36.630 you can acknowledge that. 00:09:36.630 --> 00:09:38.830 I know it's hard to get up and show up here, 00:09:38.830 --> 00:09:40.350 but I'm so glad you did and 00:09:40.350 --> 00:09:42.190 I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do together. 00:09:42.190 --> 00:09:44.030 Part of this too is to be aware of 00:09:44.030 --> 00:09:45.590 any cultural differences that might be 00:09:45.590 --> 00:09:48.070 present or any power imbalances that might be present. 00:09:48.070 --> 00:09:50.030 Maybe a client has only ever had 00:09:50.030 --> 00:09:52.430 negative experiences with previous social workers. 00:09:52.430 --> 00:09:54.150 You can't get personally offended if they come 00:09:54.150 --> 00:09:55.910 in reserved and not really wanting to talk to you. 00:09:55.910 --> 00:09:57.830 Meeting them where they're at is understanding, 00:09:57.830 --> 00:09:59.910 they haven't had great experiences in the past. 00:09:59.910 --> 00:10:01.390 I'm going to do what I can to make sure that 00:10:01.390 --> 00:10:02.990 this experience doesn't match those, 00:10:02.990 --> 00:10:04.990 but understand that they're coming in reserve, 00:10:04.990 --> 00:10:06.750 they're coming in hesitant and that's okay. 00:10:06.750 --> 00:10:08.910 One size does not fit all for engagement. 00:10:08.910 --> 00:10:11.830 Every person is different, so you're going to engage every person differently. 00:10:11.830 --> 00:10:14.550 I think that can seem pretty obvious when you're just sitting here saying it, 00:10:14.550 --> 00:10:16.340 but It's important to remember 00:10:16.340 --> 00:10:19.020 as you are a social worker engaging with clients. 00:10:19.020 --> 00:10:20.740 Using your soft skills that you've 00:10:20.740 --> 00:10:23.220 learned through the engagement process is so important. 00:10:23.220 --> 00:10:24.860 Find empathy for your client, 00:10:24.860 --> 00:10:26.860 maintain eye contact when appropriate. 00:10:26.860 --> 00:10:29.300 Show your client that you're focused on them, you're listening to them. 00:10:29.300 --> 00:10:30.700 It means actively listening. 00:10:30.700 --> 00:10:32.540 Pay attention to your posture. 00:10:32.540 --> 00:10:34.100 Are you just sitting and typing 00:10:34.100 --> 00:10:35.540 and looking away from them while they're talking to you? 00:10:35.540 --> 00:10:37.510 They're not going to feel as engaged. 00:10:37.510 --> 00:10:39.440 As if you turn to face them, 00:10:39.440 --> 00:10:41.000 have an open posture, 00:10:41.000 --> 00:10:43.000 maybe nod along as they're talking. 00:10:43.000 --> 00:10:44.160 You don't have to overview it, 00:10:44.160 --> 00:10:46.440 but just show signs that you are actively listening to them. 00:10:46.440 --> 00:10:49.280 Focus on and be receptive to the client's thoughts and feelings. 00:10:49.280 --> 00:10:51.480 Social work is client centered and that 00:10:51.480 --> 00:10:54.680 includes you being client centered whenever a client comes in. 00:10:54.680 --> 00:10:56.920 A lot of those soft skills you'll use anytime, 00:10:56.920 --> 00:10:58.800 especially when you're doing micro social work, 00:10:58.800 --> 00:11:00.480 when you're working one on one with a person. 00:11:00.480 --> 00:11:02.360 It can begin to look a little bit different once 00:11:02.360 --> 00:11:04.280 you move into meso and macro social work, 00:11:04.280 --> 00:11:06.320 which if you don't know the differences between those levels, 00:11:06.320 --> 00:11:09.680 I do have a video that talks all about micro versus meso versus macro, 00:11:09.680 --> 00:11:11.325 but say you're doing meso social 00:11:11.325 --> 00:11:12.890 the soft skills that I just mentioned 00:11:12.890 --> 00:11:14.650 are still so important when you're meeting with people, 00:11:14.650 --> 00:11:17.050 but if you're trying to establish rapport with the community, 00:11:17.050 --> 00:11:19.250 maybe attending community events, being present, 00:11:19.250 --> 00:11:22.890 getting to know who the stakeholders are in the community, who holds power, 00:11:22.890 --> 00:11:25.290 who has influence in the community, getting to know them, 00:11:25.290 --> 00:11:28.050 meeting different people with various different roles in the community, 00:11:28.050 --> 00:11:30.210 or if you're working more macro focused, 00:11:30.210 --> 00:11:32.290 meeting people who are personally affected by 00:11:32.290 --> 00:11:35.410 the macro social issue or macro problem that you're working with, 00:11:35.410 --> 00:11:37.785 meeting with people who hold the power to change, 00:11:37.785 --> 00:11:40.680 and meeting with the people who care and who identified 00:11:40.680 --> 00:11:43.600 the social problem and brought you in to do something about it. 00:11:43.600 --> 00:11:45.840 All in all, engagement is the foundation. 00:11:45.840 --> 00:11:47.920 It's what the rest of your helping process, 00:11:47.920 --> 00:11:51.360 the rest of your work with a client will be based off of and giving 00:11:51.360 --> 00:11:54.840 it the proper time and energy that it deserves is super important. 00:11:54.840 --> 00:11:57.760 But once you do all of the steps that we mentioned in engagement, 00:11:57.760 --> 00:12:00.715 the second step of the helping process is moving into assessment. 00:12:00.715 --> 00:12:04.670 Assessment only happens after you have obtained informed consent. 00:12:04.670 --> 00:12:07.110 You've let them know the limits of confidentiality. 00:12:07.110 --> 00:12:09.070 They know your role, they know what you're doing, 00:12:09.070 --> 00:12:10.590 they know what services you can offer, 00:12:10.590 --> 00:12:11.710 then it's time to assess. 00:12:11.710 --> 00:12:14.670 In short, assessment is determining what the presenting problem is. 00:12:14.670 --> 00:12:16.910 Again, this can be micro mesa or macro. 00:12:16.910 --> 00:12:19.150 A problem must be known in order to be solved. 00:12:19.150 --> 00:12:21.270 If you go in blind, close your eyes and 00:12:21.270 --> 00:12:23.775 shooting darts at the bull's eye, don't do that. 00:12:23.775 --> 00:12:26.400 No. Additionally, assessment determines 00:12:26.400 --> 00:12:28.120 what the client is seeking treatment for. 00:12:28.120 --> 00:12:29.880 Your assessment isn't to see, okay, 00:12:29.880 --> 00:12:32.480 I'm going to look at this client's life and determine what I think 00:12:32.480 --> 00:12:35.080 are problems and determine what I think they need to work on. 00:12:35.080 --> 00:12:38.120 No, you're figuring out why did the client show up? What's going on? 00:12:38.120 --> 00:12:39.560 What do they want help with? 00:12:39.560 --> 00:12:41.120 Also, why are they here now? 00:12:41.120 --> 00:12:43.360 What changed in the presenting problem where, 00:12:43.360 --> 00:12:45.040 today's the day where they showed up to you? 00:12:45.040 --> 00:12:48.200 What has gone on leading up to them taking the steps to take action now. 00:12:48.200 --> 00:12:49.560 Depending on your agency, 00:12:49.560 --> 00:12:50.920 there may be specific tools, 00:12:50.920 --> 00:12:55.045 specific questionnaires, specific templates that you use for your assessment. 00:12:55.045 --> 00:12:57.370 Depending on what kind of information you need, 00:12:57.370 --> 00:12:59.130 if you're in a school with children, 00:12:59.130 --> 00:13:01.450 you're going to need different information than if you're working 00:13:01.450 --> 00:13:03.770 with veterans assisting them to get homones. 00:13:03.770 --> 00:13:06.130 Part of the way that social work as a discipline 00:13:06.130 --> 00:13:08.890 is different from some other educational backgrounds in 00:13:08.890 --> 00:13:11.890 assessments is that it takes account for multiple different parts of 00:13:11.890 --> 00:13:13.490 the client's life and how they all play 00:13:13.490 --> 00:13:15.570 together to affect a presenting problem. 00:13:15.570 --> 00:13:17.610 For example, in social work background, 00:13:17.610 --> 00:13:20.530 a mental health struggle is not just biologically based. 00:13:20.530 --> 00:13:23.050 It may also be exasperated by social pressures, 00:13:23.050 --> 00:13:25.730 systemic oppression, maladaptive cognitions. 00:13:25.730 --> 00:13:28.050 There's more that goes into. Need to collect 00:13:28.050 --> 00:13:30.890 information before you begin any kind of intervention, 00:13:30.890 --> 00:13:33.370 or else, how do you know that your intervention is a fit for 00:13:33.370 --> 00:13:36.010 the client and a fit for the presenting problem that they came in with? 00:13:36.010 --> 00:13:37.970 Like I said, the exact information that 00:13:37.970 --> 00:13:40.210 you're looking for will vary based on where you are, 00:13:40.210 --> 00:13:42.450 what you're doing, who you are, what your role is. 00:13:42.450 --> 00:13:44.970 But some elements that will be included in the assessment that 00:13:44.970 --> 00:13:47.610 you'll be asking people about may include biological elements, 00:13:47.610 --> 00:13:50.290 psychological elements, sociological elements. 00:13:50.290 --> 00:13:53.230 I don't know if you noticed, but biopsychosocial. 00:13:53.230 --> 00:13:55.390 You've heard of those types of assessments before. 00:13:55.390 --> 00:13:57.310 In assessment, this is a great time for 00:13:57.310 --> 00:13:59.270 you to use a strengths based perspective, 00:13:59.270 --> 00:14:01.870 which I also have a video on if you'd like to learn more about it. 00:14:01.870 --> 00:14:05.030 But you're not looking at what problems are in this client's life. 00:14:05.030 --> 00:14:07.670 You're also looking at what strengths does a client come in with, 00:14:07.670 --> 00:14:09.790 what resources are available for them to use. 00:14:09.790 --> 00:14:12.030 Along with that, you'll identify any gaps in services 00:14:12.030 --> 00:14:15.270 or any barriers to services that a client might be facing. 00:14:15.270 --> 00:14:17.110 You'll be looking at how does your client system 00:14:17.110 --> 00:14:18.910 interact with other systems around them, 00:14:18.910 --> 00:14:22.230 whether your client system is an individual, family, a group, 00:14:22.230 --> 00:14:24.950 a community, Also, sometimes in assessment, 00:14:24.950 --> 00:14:26.710 you will obtain collateral information. 00:14:26.710 --> 00:14:29.750 This means information from people outside of your client system 00:14:29.750 --> 00:14:32.830 that may be necessary to get a holistic picture of an assessment. 00:14:32.830 --> 00:14:34.070 Now, with collateral information, 00:14:34.070 --> 00:14:36.030 ensure that you have proper consent from 00:14:36.030 --> 00:14:38.630 your client in order to talk about them to anyone else, 00:14:38.630 --> 00:14:41.150 whether it's another professional, whether it's a family member, 00:14:41.150 --> 00:14:42.870 a school teacher, make sure that 00:14:42.870 --> 00:14:45.710 the proper releases are given for you to talk about your client. 00:14:45.710 --> 00:14:48.350 That will be a question that whenever you start working somewhere new, 00:14:48.350 --> 00:14:50.270 you'll need to make sure you have clear, okay, 00:14:50.270 --> 00:14:51.510 who can we talk to and what is 00:14:51.510 --> 00:14:53.670 the process to go about releasing information or 00:14:53.670 --> 00:14:55.630 obtaining information from someone outside of 00:14:55.630 --> 00:14:58.070 the client with When working with children, 00:14:58.070 --> 00:15:01.350 you do not need a reuse to speak to their legal guardians and 00:15:01.350 --> 00:15:03.030 their legal guardians are generally the ones 00:15:03.030 --> 00:15:04.830 that provide consent free to talk to anyone else. 00:15:04.830 --> 00:15:07.230 However, once you begin actually working with a child, 00:15:07.230 --> 00:15:10.190 it is important that you also respect their confidentiality. 00:15:10.190 --> 00:15:13.110 This means not being a revolving door straight back to the parents that, 00:15:13.110 --> 00:15:14.670 well, they're having a problem with this, this and this, 00:15:14.670 --> 00:15:15.790 these are their exact thoughts. 00:15:15.790 --> 00:15:17.680 They feel this way about Obviously, 00:15:17.680 --> 00:15:21.000 you keep legal guardians involved and updated on progress to 00:15:21.000 --> 00:15:22.760 the extent that it's beneficial to the child 00:15:22.760 --> 00:15:24.800 and to the client and that is required of you, 00:15:24.800 --> 00:15:28.040 but children can have confidentiality even while they're children. 00:15:28.040 --> 00:15:30.200 Collateral information can also be obtained from 00:15:30.200 --> 00:15:33.200 past documents if a client has been with your agency before. 00:15:33.200 --> 00:15:35.000 Maybe someone else three years ago 00:15:35.000 --> 00:15:37.080 did an assessment similar to the one you're doing. 00:15:37.080 --> 00:15:40.040 You can look at that and obviously information has changed since then, 00:15:40.040 --> 00:15:42.640 but some may be the same, so you can review that information with the client, 00:15:42.640 --> 00:15:44.850 but maybe you don't have to start from exactly square. 00:15:44.850 --> 00:15:48.020 Examples of presenting problems if you are in microscial work, 00:15:48.020 --> 00:15:49.580 maybe someone is coming in struggling with 00:15:49.580 --> 00:15:51.420 substance abuse and that's what they would like help with. 00:15:51.420 --> 00:15:53.060 Maybe someone has a missing resource, 00:15:53.060 --> 00:15:55.540 whether that's food, housing, employment, healthcare, 00:15:55.540 --> 00:15:57.780 maybe someone is coming in with a mental health struggle, 00:15:57.780 --> 00:16:00.820 maybe that's depression, maybe that's anxiety, maybe that's psychosis. 00:16:00.820 --> 00:16:02.700 Those are examples of on a micro level, 00:16:02.700 --> 00:16:04.860 what an individual may be coming in with to you. 00:16:04.860 --> 00:16:08.020 On a meso level, a presenting problem could be an elementary school 00:16:08.020 --> 00:16:09.660 with low attendance rates and they're 00:16:09.660 --> 00:16:11.380 wanting you to intervene to help that out. 00:16:11.380 --> 00:16:13.460 A high school with low graduation rates, 00:16:13.460 --> 00:16:17.060 a geriatric care facility with a high rate of depression among its residents. 00:16:17.060 --> 00:16:18.820 Those are more meso community based. 00:16:18.820 --> 00:16:23.300 It's not a group, but it's not country or zooming out to macro social work, 00:16:23.300 --> 00:16:25.660 a city with a really high rate of unhoused people, 00:16:25.660 --> 00:16:28.300 a state with a high proportion of residents who are just living 00:16:28.300 --> 00:16:31.100 paycheck to paycheck are experiencing financial insecurity, 00:16:31.100 --> 00:16:34.340 a social work board with disproportionate pass rates by race. 00:16:34.340 --> 00:16:36.580 These are examples of more macro problems 00:16:36.580 --> 00:16:38.940 that social workers may attempt to intervene with. 00:16:38.940 --> 00:16:40.540 Some tips to assess well. 00:16:40.540 --> 00:16:42.980 Spending sufficient time and effort in 00:16:42.980 --> 00:16:44.940 the engagement stage will likely 00:16:44.940 --> 00:16:47.140 lead to a more honest and complete assessment. 00:16:47.140 --> 00:16:49.020 If someone just came in, they don't know you, 00:16:49.020 --> 00:16:51.100 they don't trust you, they don't know what you're doing, 00:16:51.100 --> 00:16:52.380 they don't know what your goal is. 00:16:52.380 --> 00:16:56.280 They're probably not going to be as honest and open if they do trust you, 00:16:56.280 --> 00:16:58.720 do understand who you are, do understand what your goal is. 00:16:58.720 --> 00:17:01.280 Being receptive to clients answers to your questions, 00:17:01.280 --> 00:17:03.160 no matter what they are is important. 00:17:03.160 --> 00:17:05.880 Part of this is understanding how your body language comes across. 00:17:05.880 --> 00:17:08.600 Part of it is ensuring your responses aren't judgmental. 00:17:08.600 --> 00:17:09.960 You are not there to judge a client. 00:17:09.960 --> 00:17:13.480 You're there assessing needs so that you can help them break down those needs. 00:17:13.480 --> 00:17:15.680 Part of assessing is being comfortable with silence. 00:17:15.680 --> 00:17:18.080 Some topics discussed in assessment may be 00:17:18.080 --> 00:17:20.960 tough for a client to open up about and tough for a client to speak about. 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:22.680 Holding space for that is important. 00:17:22.680 --> 00:17:24.840 Just because this is an everyday part of your life, 00:17:24.840 --> 00:17:27.680 discussing whichever topics you're discussing does not mean that it's 00:17:27.680 --> 00:17:28.960 an everyday part of your client's life 00:17:28.960 --> 00:17:30.705 and does not mean that they are comfortable with it. 00:17:30.705 --> 00:17:32.450 They may be very willing to talk about it, 00:17:32.450 --> 00:17:35.010 but sometimes there's discomfort that comes up 00:17:35.010 --> 00:17:36.450 and being comfortable with just 00:17:36.450 --> 00:17:38.290 letting them take a second holding space for them, 00:17:38.290 --> 00:17:39.690 letting them speak on their own terms. 00:17:39.690 --> 00:17:42.170 Going back to our handy dandy code of ethics. 00:17:42.170 --> 00:17:45.970 This is 1.07. Social workers should respect clients right to privacy. 00:17:45.970 --> 00:17:48.730 Social workers should not solicit private information from or 00:17:48.730 --> 00:17:51.530 about clients except for compelling professional reasons. 00:17:51.530 --> 00:17:53.130 Once private information is shared, 00:17:53.130 --> 00:17:54.810 standards of confidentiality apply. 00:17:54.810 --> 00:17:58.450 Social workers may disclose confidential information when appropriate with 00:17:58.450 --> 00:18:00.530 valid consent from a client or a person 00:18:00.530 --> 00:18:02.890 legally authorized to consent on behalf of a client. 00:18:02.890 --> 00:18:05.570 Social workers should protect the confidentiality of all information 00:18:05.570 --> 00:18:06.770 obtained in the course of 00:18:06.770 --> 00:18:09.620 professional service except for compelling professional reasons. 00:18:09.620 --> 00:18:12.190 General expectation that social workers will keep information 00:18:12.190 --> 00:18:16.230 confidential does not apply when disclosure is necessary to prevent serious, 00:18:16.230 --> 00:18:19.070 foreseeable and imminent harm to a client or others. 00:18:19.070 --> 00:18:21.550 In all instances, social workers should disclose 00:18:21.550 --> 00:18:23.190 the least amount of confidential information 00:18:23.190 --> 00:18:25.310 necessary to achieve the desired purpose. 00:18:25.310 --> 00:18:27.510 Only information that is directly relevant to 00:18:27.510 --> 00:18:30.270 the purpose for which the disclosure is made should be revealed. 00:18:30.270 --> 00:18:31.910 We've discussed the first two steps of 00:18:31.910 --> 00:18:34.070 the helping process, engagement and assessment, 00:18:34.070 --> 00:18:36.630 and I think it's important to circle back to those principles of 00:18:36.630 --> 00:18:40.455 the social work profession to see how they can connect in the first two steps. 00:18:40.455 --> 00:18:42.200 Reflection questions for you. 00:18:42.200 --> 00:18:44.840 What does it look like to help people in need and address 00:18:44.840 --> 00:18:48.080 social problems through engagement and assessment? How can you do that? 00:18:48.080 --> 00:18:51.760 How can social injustice be challenged through engagement and assessment? 00:18:51.760 --> 00:18:53.840 How can you respect the inherent dignity and 00:18:53.840 --> 00:18:56.400 worth of the person through engagement and assessment? 00:18:56.400 --> 00:18:58.320 How can you centralize the importance of 00:18:58.320 --> 00:19:00.720 human relationships through engagement and assessment? 00:19:00.720 --> 00:19:04.360 How can you be trustworthy through engagement and assessment? 00:19:04.360 --> 00:19:06.800 How can you ensure that you are practicing within 00:19:06.800 --> 00:19:10.185 your area of competence through both engagement and assessment? 00:19:10.185 --> 00:19:12.810 You are curious what happens when you're a social worker, 00:19:12.810 --> 00:19:15.210 after you engage a client and after you assess, 00:19:15.210 --> 00:19:17.050 then make sure to subscribe so that you'll be 00:19:17.050 --> 00:19:18.890 around and see whenever P two is posted, 00:19:18.890 --> 00:19:21.290 where we will get into both planning and intervention, 00:19:21.290 --> 00:19:24.890 and then part three, where we will get into evaluation and termination. 00:19:24.890 --> 00:19:26.530 I hope this is helpful to you no matter 00:19:26.530 --> 00:19:28.450 where you're at in your social work journey, 00:19:28.450 --> 00:19:31.490 and I hope that there are many little reasons to smile in your day today. 00:19:31.490 --> 00:19:37.810 I'll see you next time. I do better. 00:19:37.810 --> 00:19:42.690 Thanks with my time trying to make you aly