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SOCIAL WORK SKILLS
Beginning
During the beginning phase, you introduce and identify yourself and seek introductions from
prospective clients and involved others. Following the exchange of introductions, you describe a
tentative initial purpose for the meeting, possibly identify one of more professional roles that you might
undertake, orient participants to the process, and identify relevant policy and ethical factors that might
apply. Throughout this beginning process, you regularly seek feedback concerning others’
understanding of and reactions to your introductory comments. By using the beginning skills, you help
to clarify the nature and boundaries or ground rules of the helping process, lessen the initial
ambivalence people often experience, and establish a tentative direction for work.
Introducing Yourself
At the beginning of any first interview, you should identify yourself by name and profession and by
agency or departmental affiliation. You might also want to provide formal identification, such as a
business card.
Seeking Introductions
Encourage each new client to say her or his name, and then try to pronounce it correctly. In a group,
you might ask group members to introduce themselves and share a few of the thoughts that occurred to
them as they anticipated coming to this first meeting.
Describing Initial Purpose
Clearly but succinctly discuss your view of the purpose of the meeting.
Orienting Clients
Describe how clients can join you as active, collaborative participants in the helping process.
Discussing Policy and Ethical Factors
Discuss potentially relevant legal, policy and ethical factors. This constitutes part of the informed
consent process and is an essential element of professional service to clients.
Seeking Feedback
Encourage clients to comment about the proposed purpose, your role, their role, policy or ethical
factors, or any other aspects of your introductory remarks.
Exploring
During the exploration phase of social work practice, you encourage clients to share thoughts, feelings,
and experiences about the issue or concerns that led to the contact. Although the following exploring
skills are especially useful for encouraging mutual consideration of information regarding the person,
issue, situation, and strengths, they are also functional throughout the entire helping process.