Foundation Competencies
2.1.1—Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
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advocate for client/consumer/community access to services
demonstrate self-reflection that supports professional growth
function within clearly defined professional roles and boundaries
demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication
engage in professional development opportunities that set the stage for career-long
learning, e.g., agency seminars, conferences, workshops
use supervision and consultation within the agency structure and 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.
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identify personal values and biases to ensure behavior consistent with professional
values
make ethical decisions by applying NASW Code of Ethics
tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts
apply strategies of ethical reasoning in consultation with field instructors, and others
with expertise and authority
2.1.3—Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional
judgments.
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Identify, evaluate and integrate multiple sources of knowledge
recognize underlying values, biases and assumptions in oneself, other people and in
sources of knowledge
critically analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation
demonstrate effective communication:
o in writing
o verbally
o electronically
2.1.4—Engage diversity and difference in practice.
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recognize how cultures may support or oppress clients/consumers and communities
demonstrate self-awareness to minimize the influence of personal biases and values
in working with people
understand how differences can shape life experiences and apply this understanding
in social work practice
learn about culture from multiple sources including clients/consumers
2.1.5—Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
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understand how oppression and discrimination impact the agency, community and
clients/consumers
engage in practices that advance social and economic justice and human rights for
clients/consumers and communities
2.1.6—Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
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use research evidence to inform practice
understand how practice experience can inform the research process
2.1.7—Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment (HBSE).
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Apply and critique relevant HBSE theory to guide prevention, assessment,
intervention and evaluation
2.1.8—Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and
to deliver effective social work services.
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analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies (e.g., agency, program, legislative) that
advance client/consumer and/or community well-being
collaborate with colleagues and clients/consumers for effective policy action
2.1.9—Respond to contexts that shape practice.
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recognize how social, cultural, economic and technological changes impact services
provided
provide leadership, appropriate to the student role, to promote improved service
delivery
2.1.10(a)–(d)—Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families,
groups, organizations, and communities.
(a)—Engagement
• apply social work knowledge to engage individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities
• use professional and interpersonal skills to facilitate engagement
• develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes within the
agency’s mandate
(b)—Assessment
• collect, organize, and interpret client/consumer/community data
• assess client/consumer/community strengths and limitations
• develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives
• write an assessment in agency format appropriate to the focus of the assignment
• select appropriate intervention strategies
(c)—Intervention
• implement appropriate prevention and intervention strategies that build upon and
enhance client/consumer/community capacities
• help clients/consumers/communities resolve problems
• negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of
clients/consumers/communities
• facilitate transitions and endings
(d)—Evaluation
• critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions