Strengths And Weaknesses Of Social Work

Saleebey, D. (1996). The strengths perspective in social work practice: Extensions and cautions. Social work, 41(3),

This piece of writing is going to demonstrate an understanding of diversity, difference and also discuss the implications for social work practice. It will include an understanding of theories and concepts in relation to diversity where it will address the needs of diverse communities, individuals and groups, exploring differences in relation to culture, ethnicity, gender, age, sexuality, social class and economic wellbeing. It will also demonstrate an understanding of principle of working in an anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory way.

The following is a critique and analysis of Mel Grey, PhD’s Back to Basics: A critique of the Strengths Perspective in Social Work which originally appeared in Families in Society: The Journal of Contemporary Social Services Volume 92 (1), 5-11. The purpose of this analysis and critique is to demonstrate proficiency in understanding the strengths perspective while applying critical thinking to various theories in regard to the strengths perspective, including systems theory and the ecological perspective; which are presented by Dr. Grey in the aforementioned article, while focusing on the strengths perspective.

2. Cowger, C. (1994). Assessing client strengths: clinical assessment for client empowerment. Social Work, 262 - 268.

Identifies strengths and resources already found in the individual, family, school, and community and adds new information and a new perspective for creating and growing resources.

In order to address the client’s problems and strengths Birkenmaier suggest using a “two compartment model”. “In this approach, the assessment includes a two component model in which the social worker first explores a series of questions with the client to define the problem situation (Component 1). The questions will not only help to identify the client’s strengths, but also their life experiences (both positive and challenging), and strategies for coping with adversity. Gathering this comprehensive perspective on the client’s identity can aid both the social worker and the client in formulating a perception of the client in terms of strengths, versus deficits. (Birkenmaier, 2014, pg.110)”

Empowerment and a strengths perspective which support the development of innate abilities and recognize differences in a positive manner are also helping social workers increase the individual client’s capacity to learn to use his or her own systems constructively

One of the most important skill to have as a social worker is to identify your client’s strengths. All social workers should have knowledge of an effective leader that are identified by their strengths or limitations in order to improve the one’s they identify. There are several evidence-based assessments that help identify the strengths and limitations of any individual. Thus, it is also necessary to obtain other perspective based on your leadership strengths or limitations in order to improve or strengthen those qualities. The self-assessments used through this paper will help me develop a plan that points out my challenges, help expand and improve on my strengths (Human Services Guide, 2015).

Utilizing strengths based perspective with clients enables social workers to focus on the client and family strengths and abilities instead of focusing on the client and family’s problems, bad behaviors and pathologies. The strengths based perspective applies six principles that guide the social worker professional in assisting client’s with the strengths based model; we all have areas of strength, but sometimes it takes an unbiased third party to notice and help others clearly see what they are capable of achieving, even in the midst of their crisis.

Instead of working on problems, the work is goal oriented. The strengths based perspective builds on the strengths of an individual to enhance resources and work through the difficulties in the lives of the client. This helps to raise the level of functioning in these individuals and increase their sense of empowerment. Hewitt (2005) stated that this is an “optimistic way of looking at situations,” and that the social worker must not focus on what the client cannot do and instead on what they can do (p. 23). This is important in the case of Trenise and her family, because there is so much going on in terms of problematic situations that it is easy to lose sight of why it is necessary to try and solve issues. If things always look bad then many people might not attempt to handle the stresses in their

The strength based approach is a groundbreaking concept that has changed the paradigm of problem solving within Social Work. Instead of focusing on the trials, problems and adversity that face a consumer. We acknowledge the difficulty, we do not underestimate it or belittle it, yet we try and change the focus of the situation and outlook of the individual to focus on their skills, achievements, qualities, gifts and strengths.

Fourth, I am going to write about strengths and weaknesses in relation to social work practice and educational need. One of my strongest strengths as a social worker is patience. It helps me to persevere enthusiastically towards conquering goals and objectives when assisting my clients. Patience keeps alive the objective in mind to meet. Physical or psychological exhaustion only reaffirms the importance of patience. For that reason, it’s important to be patience with what we start out with the aim of clients’ benefit.

These strengths are identified as performing tasks that requires more than one or two people, meeting needs of the individuals and or the community, bringing people together who are involved in social work and have the same or similar problems, increasing people motivation for working together as a group (Toseland, R. W., & Rivas, R. F. 2012 p. 105). I feel comfortable that I have these strengths and that I have learned how important it is to be a strong advocate and be the voice of those who have no voice, or do not know how to use their voice to make change happen. My education, both undergraduate and graduate education has given me the ability to be a person who knows how to help those who cannot help themselves. I understand and comply with the NASW standards, the code of ethics, and the social worker core principles, from which I draw much of my strength to be a power to be reckoned with as a social

Social work is very diverse, there is not one sole solution, or strength metaphor which can cover all fields. However, there are assessments which can be applied to certain situations, given the practitioners beliefs. “Accessing Clients Strengths: Clinical Assessment for Client Empowerment” is an article written by Charles D. Cowger, and is based on a mainstream contextual understanding that the primary goal of social work is to assist individuals with their relationship to others, and to institutions in a way to promote social and economic justice with regards to the importance of a client strengths perspective for assessment, which, proposes 12 practice guidelines to foster a strengths perspective(Cowger, 1994, p.262).Theory of strengths assessment focuses on two aspects of empowerment, personal empowerment and social empowerment. Personal empowerment dynamic recognizes the uniqueness of each client and their ability to take charge and control of their lives and their own betterment process. The social empowerment dynamic states that personal empowerment is related to opportunity and that individuals behaviors are derived from society. Through social empowerment, the individual plays a key role in shaping their surrounding and vise versa by having various opportunities and access to certain resources.

The resilience and determination of people through adverse conditions has been a driving force in the reasons I choose this profession, and why I continue to choose it every day. In particular, family challenges have been an interest of mine, and I have always been captivated in understanding the social layers which affect their lives.