1. CHAPTER FIVE STRENGTHS-BASED INTERVENTION
The Practice of Generalist Social Work (3rd ed.)

2. Key Ideas
The strengths perspective offers a focused, committed effort for identifying, expanding, and sustaining the resilience and assets that client systems bring to their interface with the world.
The strength-based approach views supporting the client as central to the worker’s action.
© 2014 Routledge

3. Intervention Skills Acting in context Capitalizing on strengths
Focus on client
Use strategies (e.g., questions) intended to externalize the client from being the problem to having a relationship with the problem
Direct attention toward maintaining the client’s motivation and focus on solutions and change
Support diversity
Support clients’ environments
© 2014 Routledge

4. Strengths-Based Perspective and Intervention
Two principles of the strengths-based approach as they apply to intervention
The social worker acts in context
The social worker works with the client system to move toward normalizing and capitalizing on one’s strengths
© 2014 Routledge

5. Central Ideas Behind the Strengths Perspective
Many people are able to function relatively well in spite of the difficulties they face and the resources they can’t or don’t access.
People are resilient and possess skills, ideas, and determination that need to be considered when developing interventions.
Change happens when social workers collaborate with clients’ aspirations, perceptions, and strengths.
© 2014 Routledge

6. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Clients are experts on their situations and the solutions to problems.
Interventions should “begin where clients are”.
Utilize clients’ assessed strengths in the intervention.
Recognize and work with individual and environmental barriers that might hinder interventions.
© 2014 Routledge

7. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Social workers can assess several different areas that help to guide interventions
Environmental resources and strengths (both naturally and non-naturally occurring resources)
Environmental deficits or obstacles
Personal resources and strengths
Personal deficits or obstacles
© 2014 Routledge

8. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Environmental resources and strengths (both naturally and non-naturally occurring resources)
Examples
Assessment
Intervention
Strong family ties and relationships
Enlist help of parents to provide transportation for client to job interviews
Access to community resources
Client agrees to enroll in job training workshops at local community center
Strong community ties and networks
Client agrees to call friends, previous co-workers, and church contacts to ask about job leads
© 2014 Routledge

9. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Environmental deficits or obstacles
Examples
Assessment
Intervention
High unemployment rates in client’s town
Examine labor needs and viable workforce opportunities in area and discuss training options for client
Discriminatory workplace hiring and termination practices
Investigate policies and consult legal council about rights and options
Geographic isolation
Explore transportation and alternative living options that allow client greater access to employment opportunities
© 2014 Routledge

10. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Personal resources and strengths
Examples
Assessment
Intervention
Strong problem-solving skills
Foster client’s use of skills to identify current employment issues and develop plan to overcome obstacles; explore successful strategies client has used in the past to solve problems
Strong motivation to find employment
Tap into client’s motivation to problem solve and take necessary steps to find work
Good communication skills
Identify ways communication skills can be used in job interviews and exploratory phone calls
© 2014 Routledge

11. Focus of Strengths-Based Intervention
Personal deficits or obstacles
Examples
Assessment
Intervention
Disability that hinders mobility
Investigate resources and technology that can improve mobility (e.g., new technology in wheelchairs, local transportation services)
Client feels overwhelmed and discouraged easily
Identify small, do-able steps that are easily accomplished and that will work up to larger goals
Client suffers from feelings of depression
Client agrees to get a full physical check-up and consult with a local psychologist to explore options such as medication or therapy
© 2014 Routledge