The role of the social worker in practice and society

¶ … human Services clients and the specific helping skill that can be used with clients.

The range of problems facing human services clients and the specific helping skills that can be used with clients

"Human services tend to be as broad as the needs and problems of the client base" (Helping those in need, 2011, BLS: 23). Problems faced by the clients of social service workers are often called 'problems in living' or problems with families and commitments; seeking an education, adapting to a new culture; caring for others and other life cycle-related issues (Woodside & McClam 2011: 6). Problems may have psychological, social, or environmental dimensions. The world is in a continual state of change, disrupting traditional relationships and ways of life and additional support is often necessary for a wide range of clients.

Social service workers may offer assistance in the form of social control (such as for children who cannot care for themselves); rehabilitation (returning the client to a previous optimal state of functioning); or assisting the client in making proactive changes (Woodside & McClam 2011: 9). One effective strategy to take with a client is that of an educator, but an educator which works with the client and asks him or her 'what would you like to work on today?' (Woodside & McClam 2011: 14). Although the needs will vary with the client, in almost all instances assistance is provided by "working closely with the client, [as] human service workers identify problems and create a plan for services to help the client solve these problems" (Helping those in need, 2011, BLS: 23).

Teamwork is essential given that another function of social service workers is to connect clients with other social service specialists who can address specific needs. For example, a parent with a child with a learning disability may need to obtain an IEP (individualized educational plan) through the school psychologist or the child of an elderly parent may need to work with a hospice worker. The social worker can help clarify the client's responsibilities and needs and direct them to the right channels. When necessary a case management approach may be required to coordinate the different persons involved in the client's life: case managers "gather information, make assessments, and monitor services. In addition, they arrange services from other agencies, provide advocacy service, and assume responsibility for allocating scarce resources and providing quality assurance" (Woodside & McClam 2011: 20). Because of the diversity of populations served by social workers, this will vary with every client: the needs of a middle class child with a learning disability, for example, will be different than the needs of a homeless adult.

Ideally, social workers are well-versed in empirical literature to have a better understanding of what works and does not work amongst that specific population and to treat a specific condition. However, as well as being knowledgeable of the literature on the problem the client is facing, effective social workers are also able to bring an action plan to fruition. They are able to create a concrete, step-by-step method that helps the client reach desired goals of functionality.