Advanced Macro Practice Competencies
2.1.1—Identify as a professional macro practice social worker and conduct oneself
accordingly.
• advocate for access to social work services based on consumer, constituent,
community and organization needs and assets
• demonstrate self- reflection related to one’s strengths, motivation, limitations, and
work-style
• function in professional roles based on the needs of the consumers or constituents,
the organization and community, the type of service provided, clear role definition
and differential use of self
• demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication
appropriate to the macro role and setting
• engage in career-long learning by identifying areas for professional development and
seeking additional learning opportunities
• engage in supervision with increased initiative, independence, collaboration and
consultation within the agency structure in keeping with lines of authority and the
student role
 follow safety protocols and procedures of the agency
2.1.2—Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
• integrate personal with professional values to appropriately guide macro practice
• make ethical decisions by applying standards of the National Association of Social
Workers Code of Ethics and by using additional ethical decision making models and
resources (e.g. ethics hotline, committees)
• take action to resolve complex ethical dilemmas in macro practice while
acknowledging ambiguity
• apply strategies of ethical reasoning and decision-making related to macro practice to
arrive at principled decisions using consultation appropriately
 develop professional relationships that recognize the power differences between
clients and workers and take steps to minimize harm related to the misuse of power
2.1.3—Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional
judgments.
• identify, evaluate, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge (e.g.,
macro theories and evidence-based research and practice)
• recognize underlying values, biases and assumptions in oneself, other people and in
sources of knowledge
• apply critical analysis to macro practice models of prevention, assessment,
intervention, and evaluation
• demonstrate effective communication with constituents/consumers, organizations,
communities, and colleagues:
o in writing (e.g., proposals, press releases, newsletters)
o verbally (e.g., public speaking, chairing meeting)
o electronically (e.g., use of electronic media, website development)
2.1.4—Engage diversity and difference in practice.
• recognize how culture may oppress, marginalize, or create privilege and power
dynamics which are replicated in services and policies in institutions and communities;
• minimize the influence of personal biases and values in macro practice
 develop cultural competence that integrate self-awareness and knowledge from a
variety of sources
• build professional relationships with diverse consumers, constituents, communities
and organizations to provide culturally competent services and programs
2.1.5—Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
• Engage with and supports the empowerment of community members who have the
least power and are often the most vulnerable in terms of access to community
resources, opportunities and decision-making forums.
 Advocate for inclusive strategies that help all community members reach their full
potential.
 Reduce structural and cultural barriers that discriminate against people
2.1.6—Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
use an evidenced based process to identify effective macro interventions for
consumers, communities and organizations
 where possible, apply practice experience to development of new knowledge through
participation in research
utilize qualitative and quantitative research to understand the nature of communities
and organizations and the best practices to improve well-being in these macro
systems.
2.1.7—Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment (HBSE).
• apply HBSE theories including systems, organizational, empowerment and social
capital to guide assessment, Intervention and evaluation
• critique and apply these theoretical frameworks to macro practice
2.1.8—Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and
to deliver effective social work services.
• analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies (e.g., agency, program, legislative) that
advance social well-being of constituents, communities and organizations
• collaborate with colleagues, consumers and constituents for effective policy action
that promotes social and economic justice
 actively engage in the policy arena on behalf of community and organizational
interests, working collaboratively to formulate policies that improve the effectiveness
of social services and the wellbeing of people, especially for the most vulnerable.
2.1.9—Respond to contexts that shape practice.
• provide relevant services based on changes within communities and populations,
scientific and technological developments, and emerging societal trends
• provide leadership consistent with student’s role to promote sustainable changes in
communities and organizations
2.1.10(a)–(d)—Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families,
groups, organizations, and communities.
(a)—Engagement
 develop partnerships with and among consumers, constituents, organizations and
communities that are based on participation, empowerment, collaboration,
indigenous leadership
 develop partnerships that are culturally appropriate
 utilize a range of skills that facilitate engagement e.g., outreach and recruitment,
collaboration, coalition building
(b)—Assessment
 identify assets, resources and needs of the consumer, community or organization
 gather and organize appropriate information from a variety of sources
 analyze assessment data to develop agreed-upon outcomes
 engage formal & informal (nontraditional) sectors of the community in the assessment process.
(c)—Intervention
 collaborate with consumers, communities and/or organizations to identify desired
process and outcomes objectives, and time and project management
 develop a strategic and tactical action plan to achieve outcomes and objectives
 plan with communities & organizations to apply interventions through a variety of
models appropriate to local contexts
 initiate appropriate actions, (e.g., coalition building, mediation, grass-roots organizing,
program planning, leadership development, proposal writing, board development,
supervision, and staff development)
 create necessary documents for projects or actions, (e.g., strategic plan, grant
proposal, personnel manual, marketing materials)
 complete necessary steps in activity or project and transfer responsibility for ongoing
maintenance where appropriate
(d)—Evaluation
 utilize a variety of methods/tools to evaluate and document intervention outcomes
and effectiveness (e.g., program evaluation, consumer satisfaction survey, external
review)
 Utilize and demonstrate skill in a variety of process and output methods that stress
participatory principles.
 Use evaluation results to inform and/or improve future intervention