Competency: One

Jason Branch
 Competency: One
General Information

Competency One: Ethical and Professional Behavior, serves as the foundation of social work practice, encompassing critical qualities necessary
for social workers in their professional journey. This competency is the guiding compass for ethical decision-making and the cornerstone of trust-
building with clients and communities. Within Competency 1, social workers are expected to project a professional demeanor, demonstrating
respect, empathy, and cultural competence in all interactions. Ethical decision-making is central, involving the ability to navigate complex ethical
dilemmas with integrity and a focus on client well-being. Continuous self-reflection is emphasized to recognize and address personal biases that
might hinder practice. Developing effective interpersonal skills, such as active listening and empathy, is vital for building rapport with diverse
populations. Finally, utilizing supervision and consultation aids in refining professional judgment and upholding ethical standards. Competency 1
represents social workers' unwavering commitment to the highest ethical and professional standards, driving their advocacy for the welfare of those
they serve and contributing to societal betterment.
 SOCIAL WORKERS ARE EXPECTED TO
UPHOLD A PROFESSIONAL IMAGE IN
DEMONSTRATE PROFESSIONAL THEIR CONDUCT, ATTIRE, AND
DEMEANOR IN BEHAVIOR, COMMUNICATION. THIS MEANS
APPEARANCE, AND COMMUNICATION: MAINTAINING A RESPECTFUL AND
APPROPRIATE DEMEANOR IN ALL
PROFESSIONAL INTERACTIONS.

ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING IS A
CORNERSTONE OF SOCIAL WORK
PRACTICE. SOCIAL WORKERS MUST
NAVIGATE COMPLEX ETHICAL
APPLY ETHICAL DECISION-MAKING TO DILEMMAS BY EVALUATING
COMPLEX SITUATIONS: OPTIONS, CONSIDERING
CONSEQUENCES, AND MAKING
CHOICES THAT PRIORITIZE THE
WELL-BEING OF CLIENTS AND THE
BROADER COMMUNITY.
 Competency Behaviors
Self-reflection is a vital practice for
social workers. It involves
Engage in Self-Reflection and Self- introspection to recognize personal
Regulation to Manage Personal values and biases. Social workers Demonstrate Effective Interpersonal
Values and Maintain Professionalism must regulate their behaviors and Skills:
in Practice: decisions to ensure that their values
do not negatively impact the quality
of care provided.

Social workers often work in

Social work is inherently people-
multidisciplinary teams and receive
centered. Effective interpersonal
supervision or consult with
skills involve active listening,
Use Supervision and Consultation to colleagues. Utilizing supervision and
empathy, and the ability to build
Guide Professional Judgment and seeking consultation is crucial to
rapport with diverse populations.
Behavior: enhance professional judgment, gain
These skills are essential for
new perspectives, and ensure that
establishing trust and facilitating
practice aligns with ethical
positive outcomes.
standards.
 Dimension One: Professional Demeanor

Activity: Attend Workshops on Professional Conduct

Task: Engage in workshops or seminars that focus on professional conduct in social work. These
sessions may cover topics like ethical codes, cultural competency, and maintaining professional
boundaries.

Task: Maintain a Professional Appearance and Attitude

Task: Ensure that your appearance and demeanor in all interactions, whether in the field or in the
classroom, reflect professionalism. Dress appropriately and maintain a respectful attitude.
 Dimension 2: Ethical Decision-Making

Activity: Participate in Ethical Case Discussions

Task: Engage in discussions or case studies that present ethical dilemmas commonly encountered in
social work practice. Analyze these cases and propose ethical solutions.

Task: Apply Ethical Decision-Making Models

Task: Familiarize yourself with ethical decision-making models like the NASW Code of Ethics or
the Four-Component Model. Apply these models when confronted with ethical challenges in
practice.
 Dimension 3: Self-Reflection

Activity: Keep a Reflective Task: Maintain a journal Task: Seek Feedback from Task: Actively seek
Journal where you reflect on your Peers and Supervisors feedback from peers and
experiences, values, and supervisors regarding your
biases. Regularly review and professional conduct. Use
analyze your entries to gain their input to enhance self-
insights into your personal awareness and make
growth and development. necessary adjustments
Dimension 4: Interpersonal Skills

Task: Engage in role-playing

exercises that simulate client
Activity: Role-Play Client interactions. This practice helps
Interactions refine your interpersonal skills,
including active listening, empathy,
and effective communication.

Task: Practice conducting mock

interviews and assessments with
Task: Conduct Mock Interviews and
classmates or colleagues. Analyze
Assessments
your performance to identify areas
for improvement.
Dimension 5: Supervision and Consultation

Activity: Attend Regular Supervision Sessions

Task: Participate in regular supervision sessions with a qualified supervisor. Use these
sessions to discuss cases, seek guidance, and enhance your professional judgment.

Task: Collaborate with Multidisciplinary Teams

Task: Actively collaborate with colleagues from different disciplines in your agency or
practice setting. This interdisciplinary collaboration can provide valuable insights and
perspectives.
 Work Place Utilization
• Professional Demeanor: During my time shadowing therapists and managing paperwork such as discharges at my agency, I've had the

opportunity to closely observe and emulate a professional demeanor. This experience has allowed me to witness firsthand how seasoned

therapists interact with clients and maintain a consistently respectful and empathetic attitude. While observing sessions, I've learned the

importance of projecting professionalism in all interactions, regardless of the circumstances. I've recognized that a professional

demeanor not only establishes trust with clients but also sets the tone for ethical and effective social work practice.

• Ethical Decision-Making: My role at the agency has exposed me to numerous instances where ethical considerations come into play.

While shadowing therapists, I've observed them addressing sensitive issues and making decisions that hold ethical significance. These

observations have provided valuable insights into ethical decision-making within the field of social work. It's been crucial to respect

client confidentiality, ensure informed consent, and navigate ethical dilemmas appropriately. These experiences have underscored the

ethical responsibilities integral to social work practice.

• Self-Reflection: My experiences of shadowing therapists and engaging in paperwork tasks have offered ample opportunities for self-

reflection. As I've observed different therapeutic approaches and client interactions, I've found myself constantly reflecting on my values

and biases. This introspection has been pivotal in my personal and professional growth, allowing me to recognize areas where I need to

improve and align my values with the ethical standards of social work. These moments of self-awareness have affirmed my commitment

to continuous self-improvement.
 Work Place Utilization
• Interpersonal Skills: While shadowing therapy sessions, I've been able to witness and, at times,
participate in client interactions. These experiences have allowed me to observe effective
interpersonal skills in action, including active listening, empathy, and rapport-building. I've
seen how these skills are instrumental in fostering trust and therapeutic relationships between
clients and therapists. Through my observations, I've gained a deeper understanding of how
these interpersonal skills contribute to successful social work practice.

• Supervision and Consultation: Although I haven't directly conducted therapy sessions as a

novice, my role in shadowing therapists indirectly exposed me to supervision and consultation.
I've observed therapists seeking guidance, discussing cases with supervisors or colleagues, and
using these interactions to enhance their professional judgment. These experiences have
highlighted the significance of supervision in maintaining ethical and professional standards
within the field of social work. I recognize that ongoing supervision and consultation play a
crucial role in supporting social workers and ensuring the highest quality of care for clients.
 References
• NASW, National Association of Social Workers. (n.d.).
https://www.socialworkers.org/about/ethics/code-of-ethics