Social Work Intervention Guide: A Practical Approach

Posted on Oct 15, 2024 in Economy

Notes on the Examination

Practical Course Resolution

For the resolution of the practical course in the examination, it is recommended to approach the case using the “Methodological Guide for Global Intervention in Social Work” (page 139 of “The Social Worker Intervention: I. Practical Assumptions”).

I. Institutional Framework

The intervention will be based on the professionalism of the Information, Assessment, and Counseling Service (SIVA) of the Municipal Services Center (downtown, east, etc.). The center addresses social needs and serves a diverse population (disabled, elderly, children, women, families, individuals with substance abuse issues, etc.).

Regulations Governing These Centers:

  • Spanish Constitution of 1978 (Articles 9.2, 14, 17, 39, and 148.1.20)
  • Statute of Autonomy and Social Services Law (of the Autonomous Community corresponding to each student’s practice and tutorial location)
  • Declaration of Human Rights, 1749
  • Social Charter
  • Law on Equal Opportunities, Non-Discrimination, and Universal Accessibility (LIONDAU)
  • Law 5/96 of July 8, on the Ombudsman for Children
  • Law 39/2006 of December 14, on the Promotion of Personal Autonomy and Care for Dependent Persons
  • Article 25.2.k of the Law on Local Government, including its application to social assistance
  • Law 49/2007 of December 26, amending Law 43/98 of December 15, and establishing the system of violations and penalties related to equal opportunities, non-discrimination, and universal accessibility for people with disabilities
  • Law 54/2007 of December 28, on Adoption
  • Law 11/2001 of December 19, on Unions
  • Law 12/08 of December, on Social Services in the Basque Country
  • Law 18/08 of December, on Income Guarantee in the Basque Country
  • Dependency Act (application for Unit assessment)
  • Immigration Act of December 2009
  • Social Workers Code of Ethics

1. Interdisciplinary Team:

(The basic figure in the cubicles is the Social Worker)

  • Social Worker
  • Psychologist, Legal Advisor, Social Educator, Sociocultural Animator, support staff, in some cases (staffing may vary by center)
  • Speech Therapist

Functions of the Center:

  • Information, assessment, and monitoring
  • Detection and evaluation of needs
  • Demand channels
  • Management and tracking of economic benefits and aid
  • Coordination with specialized areas and other agencies
  • Speech Therapy Service
  • Legal services
  • Psychological care

2. The Complaint:

Definition, Origin, Presenter, Claims, Example: “The request reaches SIVA (or the relevant center) through the family’s neighbors, family, etc., and refers to the precarious situation of an elderly lady (or the case in question).” It is crucial to identify and understand the nature of the request.

II. Social Understanding of Reality

Upon registering the request, to ensure accurate diagnostic interpretation and intervention, research into the family situation may be necessary. This involves an initial interview to gather preliminary information. The study can be individual, family-based, or community-focused.

Areas to Analyze:

  • Sources of information (user, family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, city hall, schools, parish center, etc.)
  • Family structure
  • Family dynamics
  • Culture and educational level
  • Infrastructure level
  • Level of formal and informal relationships
  • Level of integration
  • Health status
  • Housing

III. Technical-Scientific Interpretation of Reality

After conducting the individual, family, or community study and analyzing the gathered information, a thorough assessment is performed, organizing the data to formulate a social diagnosis (indicating whether it’s a need or a problem) as accurately as possible. (Students may find it helpful to create a genogram to illustrate the family unit and the relationships between its members, highlighting whether they are distant or communicative.)

The social worker should detail the areas of need identified during the initial interview.

Technical Assessment:

Example: “Single parent with limited education, unemployment, and consequently, limited financial resources, at high risk of exclusion due to their precarious economic situation, health issues, low education level, disability, affecting all relevant members or the family as a whole…”

Technical Prognosis:

Example: “This is a social risk; the family’s situation could become chronic, necessitating priority professional intervention.” Specify the levels of intervention required: individual, economic, access to resources, training and capacity building, education for children, social integration.

IV. Action Strategy (Intervention Design)

Professional intervention will adhere to the Ethical Principles of Social Work and the Social Work Code of Ethics.

Once the social diagnosis is formulated, a professional action strategy is designed, leading to an intervention roadmap.

Community Interventions:

Include plans, programs, and projects.

Objectives:

  • General objectives: “To improve the family’s situation at all levels, preventing at-risk behaviors in children.” (Example)
  • Specific objectives: “Increase the level of autonomy of the head of household through social skills training and conflict resolution training.” (Example)

Objectives are identified as short-term (1 month), medium-term (1-6 months), and long-term (6-18 months).

Note: Do not confuse objectives with activities.

Methodology:

The methodology used in individual/family case resolution will be open, flexible, and dialogue-oriented, placing the individual at the center of the intervention. Levels: Individual and group. Applying the basic method and system, fundamentally.

Techniques:

  • Knowledge and intervention: interviews, home visits, observation, various group techniques
  • Documentary: social history, social reports, referral reports, individualized insertion program, semi-annual minimum income review, etc.

Activities to Achieve Objectives:

(Activities are closely related to objectives)

  • Contact the social worker at Gregorio Marañón Hospital or the relevant institution
  • Manage National Police documentation identification
  • Contact known groups for individuals with alcohol addiction
  • Manage the possibility of benefits (subsidies, social wage, non-contributory or contributory pension, etc.)
  • Contact agencies that manage non-formal training and employment workshops
  • Coordinate regular meetings with the technical team and other professionals
  • Support group sessions and recreational training
  • Manage home help
  • Manage telecare assistance
  • Process scholarship aid applications
  • Facilitate the assistance of a Family Educator
  • Conduct interviews with the school
  • Conduct interviews with healthcare professionals
  • Coordinate with the neighborhood Youth Association
  • Enroll in training and/or employment courses

V. Implementation

This stage involves executing all elements designed in the intervention plan, specifically the activities. Establish an “activity calendar.” The expected short, medium, and long-term (18 months) objectives are defined. Immediate needs will be addressed urgently.

Evaluation

This stage assesses the extent to which the results align with the expected outcomes. Evaluation will be ongoing, considering the established objectives. Although this stage occurs at the end of the process, necessary adjustments can be made. For example, assess by comparing the family’s situation before and after the intervention, the degree of satisfaction of an elderly person before and after the intervention, reflecting on their progress. Monitoring intensity should be established initially, and after the situation stabilizes, follow-up can be conducted with an interview every two months.

The evaluation also includes indicators to measure achievements. Indicators can be qualitative and quantitative.

Qualitative Indicators (Examples):

  • School performance of the two minor children
  • Degree of involvement of family members in various activities or responsibilities
  • Levels of integration and empathy among family members
  • Degree of satisfaction of each family member
  • Attendance at a working group activity
  • Skills acquired
  • Attitude towards work, family, involvement in a course

Quantitative Indicators (Examples):

  • Number of financial aid benefits received
  • Attendance at workshops and occupational courses
  • Number of interviews conducted and missed
  • Number of home visits
  • Visits to various institutions
  • Number of family and professional meetings
  • Number of documents regularized
  • Number and amount of debts resolved

Depending on the specifics of the case, quarterly monitoring for one year is expected for issues that require it to observe the family’s social evolution and ensure the situation is normalized.