Social Intervention Design: A Comprehensive Guide

Posted on Sep 16, 2024 in Economy

UNIT 6: DESIGN OF SOCIAL INTERVENTION

1. Methodological Context

The methodological context of social intervention design is established during the planning stage within the methodology used when working with an individual case. This action plan, derived from the study and diagnosis, is then transferred to the implementation and evaluation of the intervention process. These stages interact continuously and are subject to change, meaning new situations may arise in the person, the object of social intervention, necessitating a revision of the diagnosis and, consequently, the planning and design of the social intervention, potentially altering the results.

Planning involves conducting a deliberate action within the social intervention process, weighing the pros and cons of the intervention and determining the most appropriate means for its realization. The design is the translation of this work plan into a written document.

2. Realizing the Design of Social Intervention

The design of social intervention should clearly outline how it intends to address the diagnosed problem situation. The design must always consider the reality of the person, their potential, and their commitment, reflecting a pact between the social worker and the individual. A design can be developed in different situations:

  • When there is an obligation to present the user with a problem that requires intervention.
  • From the need for change and professional support felt by the user.
  • When the practitioner persuades the user, considering that there are problems and objectives that need to be addressed with the person.

The degree of user involvement leads to different types of design:

  • Greater user involvement: results in clear designs between the two parties, called contracts, where the problem situation is addressed and reflected upon by both.
  • Partial involvement of the user: designs are created by consensus, but where the practitioner observes certain problems not felt or recognized by the user.
  • Low user involvement: very rigid designs are created by a professional. There is little recognition of the problem by the user.

The design should never be considered closed. We cannot speak of a perfect design that does not need to be revised. The design must always have a timeframe determined from the date of its formulation (this period varies depending on the problem), otherwise, it may fall into the chronicity of the problems. After the design period, we proceed to review:

  • If the proposed objectives are met, the case is finalized.
  • If not, the targets are evaluated.

Finally, a new design may be needed with the same person for other problems that may arise. The design must verify: user name, start date, file number, social worker who performs it, and number of design, since a user can have multiple designs.

3. Design Stages of Social Intervention

  • Needs/problems that prompted the intervention.
  • Support points.
  • Objectives.
  • Professional statement.
  • Commitment of the user.
  • Resources and services to use. Evaluation indicators.

These phases are never closed, and the approach of one analysis can influence the rest. Indeed, any element introduced into one of them brings about other changes.

3.1. Needs/Problems that Prompted the Intervention

At this stage, the user’s needs related to problems identified in the diagnosis and deemed worthy of intervention are reflected in a schematic way. The following criteria should be assessed:

  • Urgency of the situation.
  • Possible effectiveness of the action or strategy.
  • Character and policy of the institution upon which the Social Work is based.

In determining the issues on which to intervene, it must be done in a way that is realistic and achievable, taking into account the resources and means available. It is worth reflecting on the meaning of”necessit” that propels us into action, the mobilization of the person who feels the lack of professional support and can assist in the process.

3.1.1. Types of Needs
  • Poverty level needs, also called primary or basic: essential to ensure the existence of life, relating to food, clothing, or shelter.
  • Personal autonomy needs or secondary needs: address personal difficulties in performing basic activities, impairments caused by physical, psychological, or cultural factors.
  • Needs related to living or social reality and linked to a socio-historical context. This section should also reflect knowledge or lack of social resources and the use of leisure time.

Another type of need can be determined by the population sector to which our intervention is addressed. At this stage, we can say that needs/problems are unified. Basically, the problem arises from the dissatisfaction of the need. If our intervention is preventive, we will be closer to the need, and if it is palliative, it would be inserted into the problem.

3.2. Support Points

There is no problem in which there are no positive aspects, considering as such anything that may assist or promote change (family support, ability for users to adjust to changes or new situations…).

3.3. Goals

Goals are one of the most important design elements because they define what we want to achieve. They are formulated in a way that allows for evaluation and assessment of progress. One must distinguish between short- and long-term goals, and prioritize the most needed action. We must agree with the person who is leading the design, because the Social Work objectives relate to the training of users to exceed their needs and solve their problems. The aim is to overcome the problem situation and encourage user involvement in the improvement process.

3.3.1. Classification of Objectives
  • General objectives: provide an overall view of where we want to go, offering a framework for long-term reference that should guide every performance. They require delays in achievement that can even extend beyond the duration of social intervention.
  • Operational objectives: refer to more immediate purposes, and the achievement of these would lead to the realization of the general objectives. They refer to specific phases to be taken to reach these general objectives in the short to medium term. These goals must be realistic and clear. It should be fixed within the expected achievement of these operational objectives. This period must be known and agreed upon with the user to take responsibility for it and is very related to the stage with respect to their commitments.
  • Framework objectives: are those that guide the entire procedure. These may include:
    • a) Prevention, to avoid risks.
    • b) Amendment, if there has been a serious deterioration.
    • c) Containment, if we are waiting to get other resources or a change of situation involving an agreed solution to the problem.
  • Specific objectives are very similar to operational objectives, but with a less pragmatic approach.

3.4. Professional Intervention

Professional intervention represents the commitment of the social worker in the intervention process. While it is difficult to schedule performances comprehensively, the practitioner must make an effort to reflect their commitment to the work. The user must know what our role as professionals is and have the opportunity to decide whether they agree with these activities.

3.5. User Commitment

At this stage, the user agrees to undertake certain actions to achieve the solution to their problems. These commitments must be realistic, otherwise, it can create frustration or even abandonment by the user. You can start with the simplest and most rewarding commitments, which will encourage the user to engage in future activities of greater importance. It is important that the user can participate in social and be responsible for their own process. We must also bear in mind that a social intervention design is an agreement between the professional and the person.

3.5.1. Negotiations and Agreements: Contracts

The contract is defined as the confrontation of the project objectives and intervention of social workers with the user, exposing and negotiating together the options that are imposed in order to bring the action toward the desired change. These agreements occur when there is greater understanding between the social worker and the user, agreeing to the commitments of both for the solution of the problem situation. This is the perfect location to get a good intervention.

There are other types of contracts linked to more direct intervention by the professional, where the user is required to meet minimal set requirements, linked, for example, to a periodic economic benefit (job search, use of the provision for maintenance, etc.). These agreements are designed from the control that professionals must assume at times, but they also represent an opportunity to reach other negotiations that are more open and that the user has the opportunity to receive social support beyond the mere provision. For this negotiation process to be successful, it is necessary to:

  • Create a climate of trust, friendliness, and mutual respect.
  • Establish clear, open, and transparent communication.
  • Find the appropriate professional distance and emotional involvement.
  • Know those aspects that are affecting the discomfort and be clear about the potential and abilities that a person may place or be put to service improvement.

3.6. Resources and Services to Use

Social resources are those human, material, technical, financial, and institutional matters that a society provides to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and communities as integral members of them. At this stage, list those resources or services intended to be used in the intervention according to the needs and problems and related objectives. To apply an action, it is necessary to know the status of the user, see if they have support or not, and whether the demand is real or covers up another problem. The social worker must know very well the existing resources. Resources include the human potential of the interested parties, the labor sector structures in question, and all that society offers globally to solve specific social problems. Thus, it should reflect all the people who will be involved as educators, mediators, lawyers…, depending on the problem and the need to involve them, as well as benefits, services, institutions, or activities that can be managed or used along the intervention.

3.7. Design Value Indicators of Social Intervention

are the benchmarks that professionals ask to check the suitability of the design of intervention. Must be related to the objectives listed in the design and measure the degree of compliance with them. The indicators are formulated for each objective, but it is possible that an indicator may serve several.
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