Chapter 6 Engagement Forming Partnerships

Dilemma: Social Workers as Experts Fabricates hierarchy that may oppress clients Passive clients lose their sense of competence and independence Unequal application of expertise is the antithesis of empowerment! © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Resolutions: Clients as Experts Acknowledges value of clients’ experience and competence Activates clients’ resources –Individual strengths and skills –Social and environmental supports © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Viewing Clients as Partners Redefines workers' roles in more egalitarian or consultative terms Constructs relationship in which clients experience power Requires worker self review for paternalistic tendencies © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Making Initial Contacts Clients' initial expectations –Range from hopefulness to pessimism –May be shaped by previous contact with helpers Initial contacts set the patterns that will influence outcomes © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Genuineness: A Social Worker Quality Initiating authentic relationships with clients “Being real” Maintaining professional honesty while maintaining personal boundaries © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Acceptance and Respect: Social Worker Qualities Regarding clients as partners by: –Listening to their opinions, communicating cordially, and honoring cultural differences Recognizing clients’ potential Honoring clients’ preferences for their names © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Trustworthiness: A Social Worker Quality Being reliable, honest, credible, and sincere Each social worker-client relationship begins with a different level of trust To be trusted, workers must show trust in clients © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Cultural Sensitivity: A Social Worker Quality Recognize similarities and differences Cultural membership defines world view Bridge cultural gaps through: –Open communication, active listening, and appreciation of diversity © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Other Qualities Empathy –Respect and nonjudgmental acceptance –Differs from pity and sympathy –Validates clients’ perspectives Acceptance and Respect Purposefulness © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Constructing Empowering Relationships Recognizing client and worker rights Social workers bring professional ethics, knowledge, and skills Clients involved in all aspects of decision- making © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Discussing Rights and Responsibilities Balances and distributes power in the relationship Special considerations –When clients feel powerless –Collaborating with oppressed clients –Voluntary and involuntary clients –Partnerships with larger systems © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Dual Relationships NASW Code of Ethics –Condemns dual relationships –Places the responsibility for setting clear boundaries on social workers Violations lead to –Disciplinary hearings –Sanctions © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Forming Relationships Augmenting Power When Clients Feel Powerless Collaborating with Oppressed Clients Voluntary and Involuntary Clients Partnerships with Larger Systems © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Respecting Confidentiality Ethical codes and legal requirements Absolute confidentiality - unequivocal silence Relative confidentiality - allows sharing –Supervision –Case conferences –Team meetings © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Violations of Confidentiality Believing that not using names or identifying detail protects confidentiality Informal sharing with colleagues Phone calls taken during client sessions Accidental or careless revelation of records and fax communications © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Informed Consent Clients grant permission to release information based on a full revelation of –Conditions –Risks –Alternatives © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.

Privileged Communication Legal stipulation Prohibits professionals from divulging information in court Federal, state, and local laws stipulate conditions of privilege Legal loop-holes and exceptions © 2013 Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.