|
GENERALIST PRACTICE
Throughout this practicum manual the reader will see the term "generalist
practice." It might be helpful to review our definition of generalist
practice, as it is sometimes used in varying ways in the social work
literature. When we use this term, we are referring to social work
practice which is not specialized and takes a multi-level approach
to assessment and intervention. Working from a grounding in systems
theory, the generalist practitioner holds a multiple focus on client
and environmental systems. The focus of assessment and intervention
is not confined either to the client or the environment exclusively,
but rather to both client and environmental systems. The focus of
the worker's attention at any given time may then be at the community,
group, organization, family, or individual level--or all of these
levels. The client system is seen as being embedded within, affected
by, and acting upon all the other relevant systems. Whenever generalist
practitioners work with a situation, they pay attention to the needs
and influences related to all of these systems and take the necessary
action to deal with them appropriately.
The knowledge, values, and skills of the general practitioner are
transferable between and among diverse contexts, locations, and
situations. The generalist social worker is not constricted by
a rigid theoretical
or intervention approach. The theories, strategies, and roles used
by the worker are based primarily upon the client’s strengths,
goals, situation, and the size of the systems that are targeted for
change. Dana College students learn a strengths-based, empowerment-oriented
approach, in which social workers engage clients’ strengths
in a creative, collaborative process. This process supports clients
in finding both internal and external resources to take control of
their own lives. The social work and the client work as a team to
achieve mutually agreed upon goals.
Generalist practice also employs a planned change method which
uses the knowledge and skills of engaging the client in the change
process,
gathering relevant information, assessing the situation and choosing
a course of action, implementing the intervention plan, evaluating
the results of the intervention, and terminating the work with
the client system. This method is supported by deep commitment
to the
values and ethical standards of the profession of social work
as articulated in the NASW Code of Ethics. Thus the planned change
process, social work values and ethics, multi-level assessment,
the strengths-based
approach, and the planned change process form the core features
of generalist practice as taught at Dana College. Dana students
have
learned this generalist method and are expected to use it in
their
practicum agencies.
|
