Core Competencies

By: Kenyetta Cooper

 Core 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.

As a social worker is important to know the NASW Code of Ethics as it is the foundation
of social work. The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth values, principles, and standards to
guide the conduct of social workers. I practice by studying the NASW Code of Ethics to
ensure that I know what is expected of me as a social worker.
 Practice Behavior: 1.2

Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain

professionalism in practice situations.

Professionalism is important when dealing with individuals in a

professional setting. During meetings with my supervisor and the team, I
will use this practice behavior to maintain professionalism.
 Practice Behavior: 1.3

Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance; and oral,

written, and electronic communication.

Being professional is important when dealing with others in a professional

setting. During work hours regardless if it a home visit, court, staff
meetings, or intake with clients I will demonstrate a professional
demeanor.
 Practice Behavior: 1.4

Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.

In todays society, especially the work place the use of technology has
grown. During all meetings I will use note taking technology ethically and
appropriately. During the scanning process of client charts I will also
remain ethical and appropriate.
 Practice Behavior: 1.5

Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgement and

behavior.

Supervisor and peer reviews are an exceptional tool when it comes to

guidance. During my supervisor meetings I will take all advise and
criticism given by my supervisor and incorporate it to do better at my
position. I will also take advise and criticism from the other social workers
that I shadow.
Core Competency: 2

Engage Diversity and 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

As a social worker working in foster care I am aware that I do not know

what it is like to walk in the clients shoes. I will show empathy and respect
to all clients and try to gather an understanding of their situation.
Practice Behavior: 2.2

Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as

experts of their own experiences.

As a social worker in a rural area I must take time to research the

traditions, values, cultural, and religious beliefs of the clients that I will
come in contact with. This will help me to gain a better understanding of
my clients and their families, and ways that I may best assist them.
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.

Recognizing ones own biases is the first step in becoming culturally

competent. As a social worker, engaging with a variety of clients I must be
aware of any biases that I may have towards particular individuals and
address these biases before saying something potentially harmful or
offensive.
Core 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.

A vast majority of the clients served by DSS suffer some form of social,
economical, or environmental injustice. I will try to address the needs of
individuals by advocating for polices that will ensure equality for these
individuals.
Practice Behavior: 3.2

Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental

justice.

I will research and advocate for policies and procedures that advance
social, economical, and environmental justices for the communities in
which I serve.
Core Competency: 4

Engage In Practice-informed Research and Research-informed

Practice
Practice Behavior: 4.1

Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and

research.

Working in CPS and foster care it is important to learn form your clients in
order to better assist them. I will research and study articles relevant to
the population in which I serve. I will look to my co-workers and
supervisors to provide me with feedback on what has been effective in
helping the community.
Practice Behavior: 4.2

Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative

research methods and research findings.

As you research it important to think critically about the information that

you are reading. It is necessary to know how the information obtained can
be used or interpreted for the community in which I serve.
Practice Behavior: 4.3

Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice,

policy, and service delivery.

As a social worker we strive to improve the daily lives of those we serve.

After conducting research and interpreting the data I will use it to
advocate for better policies, programs, and services for the people I serve.
Core Competency: 5

Engage in Policy Practice

Practice Behavior: 5.1

Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts
well-being, service delivery, and access to social services.

Research and identify policies that effect the individuals in the community
in which I serve. Receive feedback from my peers and supervisors on
policies that impact the service delivery and access to services for these
individuals.
Practice Behavior: 5.2
Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of
and access to social services.

Research and identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts the well-being,
service delivery, and access to social services. Get feedback from my supervisors and co-workers to
learn what has worked in the past to get clients the services they need within a reasonable time
frame.
Practice Behavior: 5.3
Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that
advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

Research and identify policies that effect the lives of the individuals within
the community, and advocate to advance those policies to better serve
the clients within the community in which I serve.
Core 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.

As a CPS or foster care worker you have to be willing to meet the client
where they are. It is important to understand that a clients environment
does effect how they live, and you must consider this when making
decisions on client planning.
Practice Behavior: 6.2

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage

diverse clients and constituencies.

While working in CPS and foster care it is important to use empathy,

reflection, and other skills to engage clients. I will identify areas in which I
may be uncomfortable and work hard to get better at using those skills in
order to engage my clients.
Core 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.

I will listen to my clients strengths and needs from their perspective. I will
not judge nor critique the information that they are interpreting to me. I
will take this information in order to provide a case plan to best meet the
needs of the client. I will look to my supervisors and co-workers for
feedback as well as information that the client maty have failed to
disclose.
Practice Behavior: 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

I will take what I have learned through out my education and apply it
order to provide proper interventions and case plans for the clients in
which I serve.
Practice Behavior: 7.3

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on

the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients
and constituencies;

I will use the tools given to me (ie..strength and needs form) as well as
the information that I gather to sit with the client and come up with
intervention goals and objectives so that we are on the same page as it
pertains to their service agreement.
Practice Behavior: 7.4

Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment,

research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and
constituencies
Core Competency: 8

Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and

Communities
Practice Behavior: 8.1

Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals

and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies.
Practice Behavior: 8.2

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

in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in
interventions with clients and constituencies.
Practice Behavior: 8.3

Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial

practice outcomes.
Practice Behavior: 8.4

Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients

and constituencies.
Practice Behavior: 8.5

Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-

on goals.
Core Competency: 9

Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups,

Organizations, and Communities
Practice Behavior: 9.1

Select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes.

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.
Practice Behavior: 9.3

Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program

processes and outcomes
Practice Behavior: 9.4

Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro,

mezzo, and macro levels.