APS215 Study Guide PDF

Study Guide for APS215 Test #1 Note: the exam will cover material from both class content and the textbook. Introduction to the Helping Profession 1.​ What is “social work”? What are its aims? ​ Seeks to improve the interaction between people and their social environments...

Study Guide for APS215 Test #1 Note: the exam will cover material from both class content and the textbook. Introduction to the Helping Profession 1.​ What is “social work”? What are its aims? ​ Seeks to improve the interaction between people and their social environments ​ By facilitating change at a variety of levels ○​ The levels include personal change, and change in families, groups, and communities, formal institutions and societal systems that impact on people’s lives 2.​ What do social workers do and why? ​ Respond to the social world ​ Work with diverse groups of people 3.​ What are the areas of social work practice? ​ Community development: Assess community needs, plan programs, and advocate for change ​ Child welfare: Ensure the safety of children and youth ​ Correctional facilities: Manage cases, handle probation and parole, and provide other services ​ Hospitals: Contribute to the care, treatment, and rehabilitation of patients ​ Mental health: Help clients manage mental health conditions and develop coping skills ​ Family and school: Work with families and children in schools ​ Gerontology: Work with older adults ​ Disability: Work with people with disabilities ​ International: Work in international settings ★​ Main: healthcare, mental health, education, and community development 4.​ What are the differences between “generalist” and “specialist” practice? ​ Generalist = a variety of areas of focus and theoretical orientations ○​ Ex) Case manager, hospital social worker, researchers ○​ Pros: Broader knowledge, many areas, responsiveness, greater awareness ○​ Cons: Sometimes deep knowledge is necessary ​ Advanced Generalist = skills knowledge and values necessary to address complex problems and situations across multiple levels and systems ○​ Ex) School social work, Military social work, Trauma counseling, Mental health counseling, Substance abuse counseling ○​ Pros: Broad skill set, able to work across various settings and client populations, advocating for systemic change while also providing direct client services ○​ Cons: Potential lack of deep specialization in a specific area, which could limit career options in highly focused fields like clinical practice or research ​ Specialist = One area of focus  ○​ Private practice (Ex. additions, group work), geriatric work, school social work, psychiatric social work, researchers ○​ Pros: Deep knowledge in one area ○​ Cons: May lack confidence in unfamiliar situations (p. xii), requires time study and practice 5.​ What shapes a social worker’s professional purpose? ​ Serving user needs and expectations (p.5) ​ Institutional context of practice (p.5) ​ Professional practice based (p.5) ​ Combination of theories (lecture and reading), knowledge (readings, practice assignments), and values (readings, reflections, discussion, and assignments) that inform our approach to social work practice 6.​ Should Christians become social workers? Why or why not? If yes, how can they integrate their faith into practice? ​ Influenced by beliefs, draw upon them ​ Think about: ○​ How does faith align with topics being discussed ○​ How does faith not align ○​ Challenges due to your beliefs ​ Para form on what to answer: Yes, Christians can definitely become social workers. Social work actually has strong roots in Christianity and the church, with a long history of helping the poor and vulnerable. The faith teaches love, care, and serving others, which aligns perfectly with the values of social work. Christian social workers can bring their values into practice by showing kindness, respect, and understanding, while also being open to and respecting the diverse beliefs of the people they help. Communication Skills 1.​ What is meant by “communication skills”? Why do they matter? ​ General listening skills ○​ An active process that is purposeful, 100% engaged in the conversation, not passive. This is needed for building personal relationships, and gaining understanding for important processes ○​ Listening is often taken for granted ○​ One of the most important skills ○​ Characteristics of good listening: attention, openness, empathy 2.​ In social work, communication involves various types of skills. How do these differ, why are each of them needed, and what are some examples of each? ​ Specific = Non-verbal skills ○​ Communication through physical presence and behaviour, such as facial expressions, posture, etc. Important because of how powerful non verbal  communication is, but it can also cause issues to have bad non verbal communication ​ Specific = Observation skills ○​ Taking note of and analyzing what we see and what we experience ○​ Provides us information, understanding, and reframing ​ Specific = Verbal skills ○​ Facilitation = directing the conversation towards professional purpose ○​ Paraphrasing = repeating back to a person the gist of what they've been saying. Ex) sounds like.. ○​ Parroting = Repeat back the exact words of the service user ○​ Classification = seeking a more complete understanding of the person's situation 3.​ What are some considerations that might influence the various types of communication (i.e., make them more or less successful)? ​ Distractions, our own beliefs, Jargon (= using language that people don’t understand → makes it hard for people to talk to you) ○​ Example of Jargon = using big words when talking to a child 4.​ What are some strategies social workers can use to make the various types of communication more successful? ​ Watch body language → others’ and your own ​ Ask open ended questions ​ Connect this with our group activity of listening, talking, and recording 5.​ What are some general considerations to keep in mind that could influence communication? ​ First language, Non-verbal people, Culture, Children 6.​ Why consider Christianity and/or religion when thinking about communication? ​ Religion can affect how people communicate and make decisions, so it’s important to respect someone's faith or beliefs. ○​ Respecting beliefs: It shows understanding and builds trust. ○​ Religious frameworks: Knowing a person’s faith helps social workers understand their values and coping methods. ○​ Ethical considerations: Religion can guide decisions, so being aware helps social workers support clients in a way that fits their values. Assessment 1.​ What is “assessment”? ​ “Gathering, synthesizing, and evaluating pertinent information” ​ Process, product 2.​ There are many reasons that assessment is important in social work practice. What are some of these reasons?  ​ Vital to effective communication and work ​ Used for interpretation 3.​ What kinds of information might be gathered for an assessment? ​ Community work (community needs, community assets) ​ Research (gaps) ​ Policy (implications) 4.​ What are some ways that data is gathered in an assessment? ​ Face to face ​ Observation ​ Through assessment tools 5.​ What is an “assessment tool”? Why use one? What are some examples of assessment tools, and how are they used? ​ Used for a variety of tasks (identify strengths) and conversations ​ Examples from micro practice → genograms, psychological tests, ecomaps, questionnaires 6.​ What are some things to consider when deciding what assessment tool to use? ​ Informed consent ​ The communication process ​ The role of theories ​ The role of the population ​ Spirituality / religion 7.​ What is the role of theory relative to assessment? ​ Different assessment = different theories ○​ Approach ○​ Interpretation 8.​ How might faith be considered and/or incorporated into the assessment process? 9.​ How might Christians think about the importance of assessment? Social Work Practice with Individuals 1.​ What is “micro practice”? What is its aim? ​ Refers to practice with individuals who voluntarily seek the help of social workers and those who are compelled by law to do so 2.​ What are the four phases of practice? How do they differ? What are their aims? ​ 1) Engagement: Social worker initially establishes a relationship with a client ​ 2) Assessment: Gathering information about the clients situation ​ 3) Intervention: Developing a plan to address their needs ​ 4) Termination: Concludes the professional client/social worker relationship 3.​ What does it mean to “engage the service user”? Why is it so important to do this well? What are some strategies that can be used for making this process more successful? What are some things that could challenge this process? ​ Building a trusting, collaborative relationship with the person receiving support. ​ Actively listening, showing empathy, and ensuring respect and understanding. ​ Important because it helps the service user feel valued and heard. ​ Encourages openness and honesty, leading to better support and outcomes. ​ Strengthens the relationship, making it easier to work together on goals. ​ Strategies: ○​ Active listening: Fully focus on what the person is saying and show understanding (e.g., paraphrasing). ○​ Ask open-ended questions: Encourage deeper conversation and reflection. ○​ Create a safe environment: Ensure the person feels comfortable and respected. ○​ Be patient: Allow the person time to express themselves without pressure. ​ Challenges: ○​ Distrust or fear: Past negative experiences may hinder openness. ○​ Communication barriers: Language or cognitive challenges can make connecting difficult. ○​ Personal biases: Social workers’ own beliefs or judgments may affect engagement. 4.​ What is meant by “assessment”? Why is this process necessary? What are some strategies that can be used to make this process more successful? What are some things that could challenge this process? 5.​ What is meant by “intervention”? What is its purpose? What are some strategies that can be used to make this process more successful? What are some things that could challenge this process? 6.​ What is the role of theory in micro practice? 7.​ What are some ways that diversity should be considered in micro practice, and why? 8.​ How does micro practice change when the service user is involuntary? 9.​ What factors could influence the approach a social worker takes in micro practice? How will these factors influence the approach? 10.​ Why are there so many approaches that a micro practitioner could use? 11.​ What can a Christian worldview contribute to micro practice?