Skills in social work are the capacity to do something in a given situation. It is also the ability to apply knowledge, methods, and understanding to attain the objectives of a particular field. Skills are important for helping an individual perform better in any situation and achieve better results.
They also help to do the right thing at the right time and reduce the chance of failure. Skills are enhanced through relevant training activities. Social work as a professional practice involves many skills, which can be stated in the following lines:
Skill in Establishing Purposeful Relationships
Social relationships is one of the important skills in social work that plays a vital role when working for and with people. Without constructive and purposeful relationships, it is very tough to solve social problems. Therefore, social workers should possess the skills to build constructive relationships with and between individuals, groups, and institutions that are associated with a given problem.
They must be outspoken and authentic enough to convince people to remain in a professional relationship for a purpose, and they must be reliable and mature in their gestures to bind people in a relationship. Hence, developing rapport with the individual can only achieve the desired ends.
Skill in Problem Identification
Problem identification involves critical thinking which is one of the vital skills in social work. A social worker must be able to think critically and multidimensional while identifying a social problem. The last mistake on the part of the social worker may create havoc in the problem-solving process. At the identification level, practical aspects of the problem should be given optimum care.
The social worker should be able to foresee the possible threats linked with the problem and possible ways and means to face them. The social worker must skillfully go about discovering the possible factors of the problem, the magnitude of the problem, its severity and the most appropriate solution for solving human problems.
Skill in Analyzing the Situation
Social problems arise and develop in different unwanted situations. Social situations, at times, are complex. A professional social worker has the appropriate skills to tackle those situations. The magnitude of the same kind of problem may vary in different situations. Therefore, it becomes imperative to understand the social situation in which the problem has merged.
To solve the problem, the social worker must understand the condition of individuals and their environment. Proper analysis of a situation enables social workers to understand the influence and extent of the problem. He must be skillful in judging the needs and resources and appropriate ways of taking action.
Skill in Dealing with Various Problems
Solving psycho-social problems is the prime goal of social work. After identification, the social worker makes a conscious effort to solve it. A scientific solution to problems demands a sharp presence of mind because various problems have different backgrounds and social factors. Hence, social workers should be skillful in understanding those backgrounds and factors on a priority basis, which will help them take appropriate steps to solve the problem.
Moreover, social workers must be skillful in dealing with uncertain and problematic situations, as the goal of social work is the welfare of the vulnerable section of society. Therefore, he has to face different situations in the society. These situations compelled social workers to tackle uncertain situations.
Skill in Active Participation
The social worker should participate in all the activities established for the solution of the problem. Participation of social workers gives confidence to the affected individuals. The social worker becomes able to highlight the inner qualities and capabilities of an individual, group or community. For this purpose, the social worker must have essential knowledge and understanding about the social settings and underlying problems.
Skill Inappropriate Planning
Planning prepares the blueprint of any conscious effort. It also requires critical thinking and foresight. A social worker needs to possess such abilities to be involved in serious thinking to make appropriate planning for solving a particular problem. Making the right decision is vital for appropriate planning.
There may be a number of alternatives in the hands of the social worker, but they have to choose the most appropriate one for a problem with a particular situation. While planning, the social worker needs to be able to foresee the potential threats, resources, possibilities and impossibilities, and they must be able to relate the plan of action to the clientele’s needs while planning.
Skill in Program Development
Scientific intervention requires proper planning of program activities. A social worker possesses the skills to plan various programs looking at the needs of people. He must be skillful in helping individuals express their interests and needs and helping groups develop the programs they want. Through program media, they attempt to reach and solve the problems that arise out of various needs. The social worker needs to involve people in developing specific program.
He encourages people to express their opinions when selecting a program because they know what will help them meet their needs better. Social workers should be able to understand the widespread concept of democratic values in society, which calls for a wider scope of participation of the people in their development.
During the implementation of the program activities, the social worker with skills in human relationships guides the people to undertake the activities with cooperation and coordination among the people. They also play a liaison role between the people and the welfare agencies.
Skill in Assessment and Utilization of Resources
To solve any problem, there is a need for some kind of human or material resources. Proper assessment and utilization of resources are equally important skills in social work. No resource is unlimited. Therefore, it is required that the right amount of resources is utilized at the right time through the right person.
Social workers attempt to make optimum use of resources for the larger interest of needy people. Social workers are skilled in mapping the internal resources of the concerned individual, group, or community, tapping the external resources, and tactfully mobilizing those resources for the benefit of the people.
The social worker must be skillful in assessing the need and resources and their utilization in a prescribed manner. Proper assessment and utilization of resources enable social workers to escape from wastage of resources.
Skill in Evaluation
Evaluation is one of the most important skills in social work. Through evaluation, we measure and judge the success or failure of the program. The social worker guides the stakeholders in effectively examining their efforts. He tries to find loopholes in the program and suggests improvements in the weak areas.
The social worker must be skillful in maintaining and evaluating the necessary record. He should also have the skills to evaluate the implemented plans to identify the gaps and ensure the plan’s success. Generally, a program is evaluated through the yardstick of objectives made during planning. The program is said to be successful only if the defined objectives have been attained.
Nowadays, most development organizations adopt social auditing in the process of evaluation, where evaluation is made with the visible statements of the people for whom the program is made and implemented.
Other Essential Skills
In finding a scientific solution to problems, the social worker is expected to possess the skills mentioned earlier. In this regard, frequent and systematic efforts are made during the training of social work to equip the professionals with all these skills. Besides, the social worker is also skilled in:
- Interviewing
- Counselling
- Relating himself to individuals, groups and communities
- Creating awareness as a change agent
- Self-scrutinizing
- Making conscious use of oneself
- Motivating
- Negotiating
- Advocating
Conclusion
Having an advanced understanding of skills in social work is crucial for establishing genuine connections with clients and attaining favorable results. Through the development and refinement of these skills in social work, individuals in the field of social work have the power to create a meaningful and lasting influence on the lives of those they serve, as well as the broader communities they are a part of. Utilizing skills in social work necessitates continuous learning, self-analysis, and a dedication to ethical practice.
