Standard 1

The social contexts in which people live including: the impact of social injustice; unsuitable housing; lack of education; unemployment; poverty; homelessness; migration; asylum and ethnic segregation.

The effect these contexts have on the demand for social work services.

Social disadvantage which may lead to marginalisation, isolation, exploitation, victimisation, exclusion and crime.

The impact of difference which may result in inequality, including: age; gender; ethnicity; sexual orientation; disability.

The impact of mental or physical ill health, disability, domestic abuse, and substance and alcohol misuse.

Legal, policy and organisational bases for intervention, and the significance of relationships with statutory and other services. 

Understanding of own role and task and the importance of inter-personal factors and inter-professional working in delivering effective social work services.

Make active and effective contact with individuals and organisations by means appropriate to the circumstances and aims, including: in person; by phone; via an appropriately secure digital medium; in writing.

Gather information from a wide range of sources and in a variety of ways for a range of purposes. These methods should include: electronic searches, reviews of relevant written materials, face-to-face discussion, digital means, telephone contact with individuals and groups, and reference to literature and research.

Take account of different views when gathering information and assess the reliability and relevance of the information.

Make effective use of appropriate technology to access, and to facilitate access, to services.

Review agency notes and other literature that is relevant to the situation.

Contact and work effectively with relevant professionals and others, to get additional information that can influence initial contact and involvement.

Engage and relate to people who receive services and others in a manner which reflects the principles of social justice and an understanding of the context in which people live. 

Engage and relate effectively with people receiving services, their carers and others, with appropriate use of self.

Practice ethically and with professional integrity.

Evaluate all information to identify the best form of initial involvement.

Develop and record an initial action plan alongside people who receive services and other key people.

The nature of social work services in a diverse society (with particular reference to concepts such as social need, informed choice, personalised services, prejudice, inter-personal, institutional and structural discrimination, empowerment and anti-discriminatory practices).

The lived experience of people receiving services and their experience of receiving services.

Analyse and take account of specific factors that are relevant to social work practice such as: risk; resilience; rights; cultural, racial and ethnic identity; language difference; legal obligations and statutory responsibilities to protect vulnerable individuals.

Explain and negotiate the purpose of contacts and the boundaries of their involvement.

Listen actively to others, respond appropriately to their experiences and accurately understand their viewpoint.

Demonstrate empathy and compassion as appropriate to the situation.

Support people who receive services to express their expectations, strengths and limitations, and to understand and fully realise their rights, entitlements and responsibilities.    

Clarify and explain the social work organisation’s duties, services and responsibilities.

Identify, gather, analyse and understand relevant information including personal strengths and community asset.

Identify, analyse and manage the risks involved in the situation.

Support people to access choice and, where appropriate, take control over their support arrangements through a process of co-production.

The range of expressed, and/or identified need(s) of people (including children) who receive services and their carers, and the social context in which need arises.

Inequality and oppression arising from individual, inter-personal, societal, cultural, organisational, ideological and political processes.

Understanding the impact and inter-relationship of disadvantage and social divisions arising from factors such as: social class; gender; disability; culture; race; migration; asylum status.

Frameworks, models, and methods of assessment in different practice contexts, taking into account the strengths and assets of people and communities.

Assess situations, taking account of a number of factors including the views of those involved, the context in which people live, theoretical concepts, research evidence, legislation and organisational policies and procedures.

Work in partnership with people to identify how their lives could be improved, and identify actions to achieve positive outcomes.

Analyse the information gathered, taking account of different perspectives and evidence.

Respond flexibly to new/ additional information and adapt assessment outcomes and plans appropriately.

Listen actively to people (including children) who receive services and their carers, respecting their experience and taking full account of their views.

Engage effectively with people who receive services, and their carers, to facilitate and enable them to access choice, make decisions, and take control over their support arrangements through a process of co-production.

Competently assess and evaluate needs, assets, strengths, risks and options, taking account of legal and other duties and service standards requirements.

Demonstrate professional confidence in supporting and enabling a negotiated course of action for people who receive services and their carers.

Demonstrate effective, integrated practice with other professionals, to support people to make choices and achieve positive outcomes.

Effectively challenge oppressive processes which disadvantage people.