Practice

Behaviors
BRIANA MCBRYDE

Competency 1
Identify as a
professional social
worker and conduct
ones-self accordingly.
Practice Behaviors
1.1 Advocate for client access to the services of
social work.
I will help to ensure that my client(s) have all the
necessary resources to better themselves and move
forward in life.
1.2 Practice personal reflection and self-correction
to assure continual professional development.
I will read through weekly journals to see where, if any,
improvements can be made and also receive any
constructive criticism from my supervisor to help better
myself.
1.3 Attend to professional roles and boundaries.
Ensure that I am conducting myself as an GAL intern
and following the NASW Code of Ethics.
Practice Behaviors Contd
1.4 Demonstrate professional demeanor in
behavior, appearance, and communication.
I will dress and talk professionally and adhere to the
NASW Code of Ethics.
1.5 Engage in career-long learning.
I will constantly seek new information in the social
work field. (i.e. workshops, new policies, resources,
etc.)
1.6 Use supervision and consultation.
When in doubt I will ask questions and seek
feedback from my supervisor.
Competency 2
Apply social work
ethical principles to
guide professional
practice.

Practice Behaviors
2.1 Recognize and manage personal values in a
way that allows professional values to guide
practice.
I will not let my own personal values interfere with
my work nor will I impose them on my clients.
2.2 Make ethical decisions by applying standards
of the NASW Code of Ethics and, as applicable,
of the International Federation of Social
Workers/International Association of Schools of
Social Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of
Principles.
All ethical decisions I make regarding my clients or
my own work will be based on the NASW Code of
Ethics, etc.

Practice Behaviors Contd
2.3 Tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical
conflicts.
I will have patience when dealing with clients who
do not fully understand what is being said or
happening in reference to their case.
2.4 Apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive
at principled decisions.
I will use strategies based on the NASW Code of
Ethics core values to arrive at decisions that are in
the best interests of my client(s).
Competency 3
Apply critical thinking
to inform and
communicate
professional
judgments.

Practice Behaviors
3.1 Distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple
sources of knowledge, including research-based
knowledge, and practice wisdom.
I utilize my supervisor as a source of knowledge
when I have questions or want to know a particular
way of doing something. I also utilize the GAL
manual.
3.2 Analyze models of assessment, prevention,
intervention, and evaluation.
I used this behavior during a home visit in which we
(me, my supervisor, and social worker) had to
determine the best way to help a parent not make
their current situation worse.
Practice Behaviors Contd
3.3 Demonstrate effective oral and written
communications in working with individuals,
families, groups, organizations, communities, and
colleagues.
I use this practice behavior daily with my co-intern,
supervisors, children and their families, social workers
and other important parties. I also utilize this
behavior when doing court reports, case reviews,
and CFT meetings.

Competency 4
Engage diversity and
difference in practice.

Practice Behaviors
4.1 Recognize the extent to which a cultures
structures and values may oppress, marginalize,
alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power.
Coming from Robeson County this hits too close to
home. Robeson county has a high crime rate, low
graduation rate, and high poverty. So it is all a cycle
and I know all too well how an environment and/or
culture can cause these things and I see it all the time
in my intern.
4.2 Gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the
influence of personal biases and values in working
with diverse groups.
In my opinion I dont have any personal biases or
values that may interfere with the work that I do
because I live by the saying: Im no better than the
next person, I struggle too so who am I to judge. We all
have to live one day at a time.

Practice Behaviors Contd
4.3 Recognize and communicate their
understanding of the importance of difference in
shaping life experiences.
In case review a young lady was struggling with how
people in church perceived her despite how far she
has come in getting herself together. I just told her that
you asked God to forgive you for all of your sins so that
you may start anew and thats all that matters. I
believe I left an impact on her through my words.
4.4 View themselves as learners and engage those
with whom they work as informants.
I use this practice behavior everyday no matter what
the issue may be big or small its better to have asked
than not at all. I also learn by observing my supervisor
in the work setting and when she is interacting with
clients.

Competency 5
Advance human
rights and social and
economic justice.
Practice Behaviors
5.1 Understand the forms and mechanisms of
oppression and discrimination.
I will learn to recognize and understand the forms and
mechanisms of oppression and discrimination so that I
may remain unbiased and help my clients obtain the
help and resources they need.
5.2 Advocate for human rights and social and
economic justice.
I will listen to my clients wishes and assess my clients
needs and advocate on his/her behalf.
5.3 Engage in practices that advance social and
economic justice.
I will attend any trainings and/or workshops that will
keep me up to date on policy and available resources
so I will gain knowledge to help me further advocate
on my clients behalf.

Competency 6
Engage in research-
informed practice and
practice-informed
research.
Practice Behaviors
6.1 Use practice experience to inform scientific
inquiry.
I will use information I have learned in class, at my
agency, and read in academic journals to help
improve the work that I do.
6.2 Use research evidence to inform practice.
When unsure of how to best serve my client(s) I will
use research findings to improve practice, policy,
and social service delivery.
Competency 7
Apply knowledge of
human behavior and
the social
environment.
Practice Behaviors
7.1 Utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the
processes of assessment, intervention, and
evaluation.
I will use frameworks learned in class and in field to
assess, intervene, and evaluate my clients situation.
7.2 Critique and apply knowledge to understand
person and environment.
I will use knowledge I have gained while in field and
research to help me better understand person and
environment.
Competency 8
Engage in policy
practice to advance
social and economic
well-being and to deliver
effective social work
services.
Practice Behaviors
8.1 Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies
that advance social well-being.
I will advocate for my clients by ensuring that I
continue to find, analyze, and apply policies to
advance my clients wellbeing.
8.2 Collaborate with colleagues and clients for
effective policy action.
I will collaborate with social workers, therapists,
teachers, etc. to assure effective policy action for
my clients.
Competency 9
Respond to contexts
that shape practice.
Practice Behaviors
9.1 Continuously discover, appraise, and attend
to changing locales, populations, scientific and
technological developments, and emerging
societal trends to provide relevant services.
As a volunteer I will attend any trainings, meetings,
etc. to stay up to date on emerging trends to
provide relevant services.
9.2 Provide leadership in promoting sustainable
changes in service delivery and practice to
improve the quality of social services.
As an advocate I will assume a leadership role and
help to deliver quality services to clients.
Competency 10
Engage, assess,
intervene, and evaluate
with individuals, families,
groups, organizations,
and communities.
Practice Behaviors
10.1 Substantively and affectively prepare for action
with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities.
I exhibit this behavior by doing court reports, attending
case review, calendar, and court, visits with the child
and family.
10.2 Use empathy and other interpersonal skills.
I will adhere to the NASW Code of Ethics core values
and use empathy when dealing with clients.
10.3 Develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work.
The clients and I will discuss what they would like the
outcome of their case to be and I take the information
back to the judge who makes a decision in the childs
best interest.

Practice Behaviors Contd
10.4 Collect, organize, and interpret client data.
I exhibit this behavior through visits with the client,
speaking with the social worker and any other
involved parties.
10.5 Assess client strengths and limitations.
I exhibit this behavior through visits with the client,
reading their file and observations.
10.6 Develop mutually agreed-on intervention
goals and objectives.
The client and I will work on achievable goals and
objectives to help them cope with all the changes
they are going through.
Practice Behaviors Contd
10.7 Select appropriate intervention strategies.
As advocates we make recommendations that are
in the best interests of the child and intervene when
necessary.
10.8 Initiate actions to achieve organizational
goals.
As a GAL Advocate we are constantly looking for
new volunteers to help even out the inconsistency
in the number of children to advocates.
10.9 Implement prevention interventions that
enhance client capacities.
I will make recommendations that will enhance the
wellbeing of my client(s).
Practice Behaviors Contd
10.10 Help clients resolve problems.
If a client is having a problem we try to provide
them with help that is within our constraints.
10.11 Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for
clients.
My role is an advocate I do this everyday through
meetings with professionals, visits with the child, etc.
10.12 Facilitate transitions and endings.
I will help children transition into their placements
and to find solutions to their case.

Practice Behaviors Contd
10.13 Social workers critically analyze, monitor,
and evaluate interventions.
As an advocate I have to analyze a childs
situation, monitor them at their placement, and
make recommendations on their behalf.