1. © P. Vermeulen / Handicap International © W. Daniels pour Handicap International © B. Franck / Handicap International Missions and knowledge of the field worker

2. Overview 1.Remember of the values and ethics of the social worker 2.The general tasks of the field worker 3.The 3 skills of the field worker  Knowledge: what the field worker must know  Know-how (hard skills): what the field worker must do  Interpersonal (soft skills): how to behave

3. © P. Vermeulen / Handicap International © W. Daniels pour Handicap International © B. Franck / Handicap International 1. Remember of fhe values and ethics of the social worker

4. The values and ethical considerations of the social worker according to the International Federation of Social Workers Social workers should uphold and defend each person’s physical, psychological, emotional and spiritual integrity and well-being That means: 1) Respecting the right to self-determination 2) Promoting the right to participation 3) Treating each person as a whole 4) Identifying and developing strengths

5. © P. Vermeulen / Handicap International © W. Daniels pour Handicap International © B. Franck / Handicap International 2. The general tasks of the field worker

6. ACTIVITY What my role IS and what it IS NOT

7. Some key roles… ► Encourage decision-making and self-confidence to develop autonomy ► Facilitate identification by the person/family/group of solutions to personal and collective problems AND support for implementation ► Sets up the necessary links between persons/groups and community resources to maximize the potential of the social environment. ► Be a source of information on the existing social situation, rights and services ► If needed, advise the person/family on changes to bring to their daily living to facilitate autonomy

8. Role (continued) Work at individual/family/group level ► Working with a person/group to examine the situation and get general overview ► Help a person/group identify key goals and projects ► Working with individuals/groups towards self-reliance ► Monitoring the person/group and developments ► Mediate between person/groups and their environment (families, communities, services)

9. ) Role (continued ) Work at community/society level: ► Awareness-raising on individual and/or community social issues and services ► Making sure the voices of all are heard at all levels ► If needed become a mediator between users and service providers ► Encourage coordination amongs actors from a given territory

10. © P. Vermeulen / Handicap International © W. Daniels pour Handicap International © B. Franck / Handicap International 3. The skills of the field worker

11. Don’t know that you don‘t know Know that you don’t know Know that you know Don’t know that you know Levels of learning

12. The three components of a skill A skill can be split into three components: knowledge, hard skills and soft skills. The key to training field workers lies in understanding and acquiring soft skills! KnowledgeHard skills Soft skills Skill

13. EXERCISE What do you know? Knowledge Hard skills Soft skills

14. Knowledge: what to know Psychology and sociology: how humans think and behave, relationships between people and social groups Anthropology of country/area: history, cultures, traditions Understanding of particular target group: e.g. experience of persons with disabilities, children, ways to best support Support systems and care-management for area Stakeholders at local, regional and national level National and international laws, adapted to the target group (e.g. people with disabilities).

15. EXERCISE Build a body of collective knowledge

16. Hard skills: what to do In general ► Identifying inequalities and social obstacles ► Planning and implementing ideas ► Communicating with others, including children ► Managing conflicts and problems - problem-solving skills ► Networking ►Setting up and leading meetings and ensuring things move forward ► Following-up on work, to confirm results ► Evaluating the impact of work, to see changes ► Representing the community in various forums

17. Hard skills: what to do With an Individual/family/group ►Coordinate and work as a team on a shared project ► Making referrals to services/people ► Conducting individual and group interviews, speaking with children ► Observing situations and making social diagnosis along with a person or group ► Choosing an intervention methods e.g. a personal or group support project ► Coaching individuals and groups to develop themselves

18. Soft skills: how to be 6 soft skills that will help you be successful in anything! 1. Communication 2. Self-Management 3. Networking 4. Critical Thinking 5. Decision-Making 6. Stress management Other important skills:  Trustworthy and responsible  Enabling attitude, inspirational/motivational  Tolerant, accepting and respectful of differences  Learning/growing attitude  Empathetic, not sympathetic  Confident, good self-esteem  Adaptable, flexible  Available, takes initiative  Realistic

19. EXERCICE What hampers the development of the soft skills specific to the field of Social Work?

20. What facilitates the acquisition of soft skills? ► COOPERATION: Observation and working with your peers – with field workers who have developed the appropriate soft skills ► A warm and respectful ambiance/space, without prejudice and without a disproportionate spirit of competition – calm teamwork ► A space for free expression and feedback on experiences – professional supervision

21. Group summary ► What are the key points? - ► Which themes need to be developed in greater depth to improve our practices? -

22. KEY MESSAGES ► The field worker must understand and foster the values of Social Work ► There are two types of task: those focused on the person receiving support and their family; and those focused on raising awareness among other stakeholders (twin-track approach) ► The field worker’s general tasks are: to provide encouragement, generate ideas, create links, inform/raise awareness, and give advice, if necessary ► There are 3 skills: knowledge, know-how (hard skills) and interpersonal (soft) skills. Soft skills are the most difficult to acquire but the most important ones for a field worker to develop ► There are several stages in the learning process. The field worker must develop their knowledge over time and with experience