Identifying Community Needs

Process of Identifying Community Needs

1. Ocular Visit or Community Survey – Understanding the community well through the
conduct of ocular visits, and coordination with Barangay officials to assess what are the possible
problems within the community.
In identifying the problems, the worker will include reviewing the Barangay Development Plan,
the barangay profile, and the status of the community. Spike conversations with the people
during the visit will also help.
2. Conduct a Community Needs Assessment – identify the strengths and weaknesses of the
community using tools or forms. Conduct SWOT analysis with the engagement of the
community through a group meeting. Workers can join through barangay assemblies or conduct
several group discussions as much as the community needs until they arrive at a conclusion.
The worker should let the community understand the importance of their engagement and that
they must demonstrate the sense of ownership.
3. Create an Action Plan – Prioritization of what should be done. The plan should come from
the people in the community and the worker will act as their guide/helper. The community in this
phase should already developed or intensify a sense of ownership.
4. Implementation and Monitoring – The worker will ensure the proper implementation of the
plan and monitor its progress until the end. The worker here will act as consultant, intervenor,
and broker.
In conclusion, identifying community needs should be initiated and sustained by the people
themselves while the worker will play as the facilitator who assists the people. By doing these, it
helps the community assess their needs and enhances their decision-making. Also, it ensures
that community development will be focused on the welfare of the whole community, most
especially the majority who are poor, deprived, and oppressed. It calls more on their
engagement and collaboration than relying upon the worker.
Also, it develops a sense of ownership in them which ensures long term sustainability.
What to Consider in Working as a Community Developer
1. Physical Setting – The worker should consider this in understanding the community
behavior and expectations to avoid quick conclusions or judgments.
2. Ethics or Conduct within the Community – The worker should have an in-depth
understanding of the community's way of life in order for her or him to be cautious of her
actions, and words when interacting with the people.
3. Norms in the Community – Respect diversity while achieving the purpose of community
development and integrating social change.
One way of showing respect for diversity is by living like them and showing interest in their
culture and practices. By doing this, it is easier for the worker to intervene in the community
issues and needs.
Skills of a Community-Based Social Work
1. Working with people/one on one and small groups
2. organizing
3. verbal and written communication
4. Committee work
5. Leadership
6. Administration - documentation
7. Interviewing
8. Research – knowledgeable in community development
9. Planning and Policy formulation
10. Problem solving
Benefits of a Successful Community-based Social Work
1. Empowers the people in the community
2. Improves Economic Development
3. Heighten their confidence in making decisions
4. Can solve their own problem
5. Improve their relationship in communicating with other people, groups, and institutions
6. Decrease violence and crimes
Importance of Social Justice and Human Rights in SW Practice
1. Decision-making – it helps the worker in making decisions especially when it concerns the
future of the group or individual. The worker should consider this before making decisions to
ensure that it didn’t violate or undermine any of it but it works for the welfare of the clients.
2. Application of SW Principles – serves as our basis in practicing the principles of SW
whether it is individual, group, or community. We must adhere to the “significant of the client as
human beings” their inherent worth and dignity as a person, and respect to diversity.