BSW Core Competencies

BSW Core Competencies

1. Demonstrate ethical and professional behavior:

  • 1.1 Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context.
  • 1.2 Use self-reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations.
  • 1.3 Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication.
  • 1.4 Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice outcomes.
  • 1.5 Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior.

2. Engage diversity and difference in practice:

  • 2.1 Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference  shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.
  • 2.2 Present themselves as learners and engage client and constituencies as experts of their own experience
  • 2.3 Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse client and constituencies

3. Advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice:

  •  3.1 Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and systems levels.
  •  3.2 Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice.

4. Engage in practice-informed research and research-informed practice:

  • 4.1 Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research  
  • 4.2 Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative   research methods and research findings.
  • 4.3 Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and  service delivery

5. Engage in policy practice :

  • 5.1 Identify social policy and the local, state, and federal level that impacts wellbeing, service delivery, and access to social services.
  • 5.2 Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and access to social services.
  • 5.3 Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice.

6. Engage with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities :

  • 6.1  Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies.
  • 6.2  Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to engage diverse clients and constituencies.

7. Assess individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities :

  • 7.1 Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies
  • 7.2 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies.  
  • 7.3 Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges with clients and constituencies.
  • 7.4 Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies.

8. Intervene with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities :

  • 8.1 Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and  enhance capacities of clients and constituencies.
  • 8.2  Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multi-disciplinary frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies.
  • 8.3  Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes.
  • 8.4  Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies.
  • 8.5  Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.

9. Evaluate practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities :

  • 9.1 Select and use appropriate methods of evaluation of outcomes
  • 9.2 Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes
  • 9.3 Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes.
  • 9.4 Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.