Standard 4

The characteristics of effective social work practice in a range of community based and organisational settings.

Factors influencing changes in practice within statutory, voluntary and private sector services.

Relevant research and evaluation methodologies.

The importance of knowledge and evidence within the assessment and decision making process.

Undertake critical enquiry and review relevant literature, drawing evidenced conclusions from the data.

Assess the relative strength, applicability and implications of contrasting theories and explanations including: practice wisdom; research; policies; procedures; methods of intervention.

Critically and reflexively apply a wide range of knowledge to own practice.

Monitor situations, review processes and record and evaluate outcomes.

Review and regularly update knowledge of relevant legislation, policy guidelines, service standards and procedural frameworks.

Locate, understand, and critically evaluate research findings and literature that are relevant to social work practice.

Use professional and organisational supervision and support to research, critically analyse and review the evidence base for effective practice.

Critically implement evidence-informed social work approaches and methods to develop and improve own practice.

Social work principles, values and national and international codes of practice.

The importance of the processes of critical reflection and evaluation to maximise personal learning.

Legislative and legal frameworks, service standards, practice guidelines and codes of practice.

The nature of legal authority, the application of legislation in practice, statutory responsibility and conflicts between law, policy and practice.

Recognise and manage the complex tensions in intra-personal and inter-personal relationships and processes.

Analyse and assess the impact of inequality, discrimination and social exclusion in work with people in a wide range of contexts and problem situations.

Ensure that social work principles, codes of practice and values are applied when working with others.

Work in an open and transparent way and be able to assert and justify own actions within accepted ethical and professional standards.

Act in a professional manner, with appropriate use of self, in management of relationships. 

Work at all times within the professional codes of practice, ethical principles and service standards that underpin excellence in social work practice.

Exercise, justify and record own professional judgements.

Use appropriate professional authority in justifying and defending professional decisions and upholding social work practice values.

Critically reflect on own practice and performance and modify these as a result.

Principles of ethics and morality relevant to understanding and attempting to resolve value dilemmas and conflicts, in both inter-personal and inter-professional contexts.

Knowledge of equalities and anti-discriminatory policy and legislation and the impact of disadvantage and discrimination.

Factors influencing the effectiveness of conflict resolution in different settings.

Analyse the impact of injustice, social inequality and oppression.

Demonstrate leadership in challenging individual, institutional and structural discrimination in constructive ways.

Analyse and manage ethical dilemmas and conflicts to produce clear, accountable outcomes.

Identify, understand and critically evaluate ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts.

Devise effective strategies to manage ethical issues using knowledge, policy, and research. 

Act professionally even in uncertain and ambiguous circumstances.

The content of different codes defining ethical practice and the regulation of professional conduct.

The effective management of potential conflicts created by codes and values held by different professional groups.

Comparative perspectives of social work including European and international contexts.

The nature, processes and responses to change, its significance for those involved, and the characteristics of effective change management.

Reflect critically on own conduct and practice and consider the need to modify own judgement and actions where new evidence is presented.

Analyse and respond positively and flexibly to changes in the need and demand for services or changes in context and organisation of services.

Demonstrate leadership by challenging unacceptable practices in a responsible manner, including whistleblowing and knowledge of whistleblowing policies.

Share and promote good practice within the team, service or organisation and in collaborative practice with colleagues and other professionals. 

Contribute to policy and practice review and development.

Use supervision, together with other organisational and professional systems, to influence courses of action where practice falls below the standards required.

Demonstrate the contribution of social work with colleagues in related professions, to develop and further integrate services.