2015 Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards 9
Social workers understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions may impact their ability to effectively engage with
diverse clients and constituencies. Social workers value principles of relationship-building and inter-professional collaboration to
facilitate engagement with clients, constituencies, and other professionals as appropriate. Social workers:
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies; and
• use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills to effectively engage diverse clients and constituencies.
Competency 7: Assess Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Social workers understand that assessment is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with,
and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand theories of human
behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in the assessment of diverse clients and constituencies,
including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand methods of assessment with diverse
clients and constituencies to advance practice effectiveness. Social workers recognize the implications of the larger practice context in
the assessment process and value the importance of inter-professional collaboration in this process. Social workers understand how their
personal experiences and affective reactions may affect their assessment and decision-making. Social workers:
• collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies;
• 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;
• develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges
within clients and constituencies; and
• select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of
clients and constituencies.
Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice
with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are knowledgeable about
evidence-informed interventions to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations,
and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply
this knowledge to effectively intervene with clients and constituencies. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and
implementing evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers value the importance of inter-
professional teamwork and communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, inter-
professional, and inter-organizational collaboration. Social workers:
• critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
• use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
• negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and
• facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.
Competency 9: Evaluate Practice with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Social workers understand that evaluation is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and
on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations and communities. Social workers recognize the importance of evaluating
processes and outcomes to advance practice, policy, and service delivery effectiveness. Social workers understand theories of human
behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge in evaluating outcomes. Social workers understand
qualitative and quantitative methods for evaluating outcomes and practice effectiveness. Social workers:
• select and use appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes;
• apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical
frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes;
• critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes; and
• apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels.