INDIRECT MODEL OF INTERVENTION

(Content)
The other preceding models and approaches in the helping process of social work does
requires a face-to-face or direct method in establishing the helping relationship with the client
either working with individuals, families, groups, or in communities. However, the last three (3)
interventive models does not need a direct problem-solving method with the people for these
interventions are can be done on behalf of, or concurrently with the help of something. These
interventions are the following: Working with the Elite, Documentation or Social Criticism, and
Advocacy. And according to Mendoza (2002), if these interventive models are properly and fully
utilized then it can mean a lot and more because knowing the situation that the average Filipino
social workers are primarily engages with direct problem-solving process or helping relationship
then, the utilization of these three models would serves as a great help especially in some and
most cases.
WORKING WITH THE ELITE
According to Merriam-Webster, elite are those individuals who possess the most wealth
and status in the society. Elite are somehow composed of people or the groups who usually does
have the position to offer the resources being needed in working with various clients. This
interventive model however involves the idea of worker activities which aims at informing and
interpreting those relatively related sectors of the community, the welfare agencies programs and
services and a lot more.
The elite individuals and groups in the community would be the professionals which
constitutes or do possess various ideas and activities which will serve as a great use in the
improvement and enrichment of the agency work; the politicians which serves as the legislative
party that has a great effect on social welfare; the well established individuals or leaders in
communities which do provide man power in policy making and various program
implementation; and the rich people which do support the agencies financially depending to the
budgetary needs.
Going through, this model of intervention has a huge impact especially in the wide part of
the population which cannot actually be underestimated.
However, dealing with this type of model does require a thorough process especially in having
and establishing partnerships. In having or assembling a partnership the agency must explain its
policies and services and also must elucidate the clients’ need to the same group in able to
identify adequate response that will be offered to the agency especially when it comes in funding
the project and such.
Moreover, various factors are must be considered in the full involvement of the elites to
the support of social welfare programs and its services. One specific reason behind it is that there
are actually numerous appalling feedback coming from the side of the elites, a very common
example about it is that agencies does only think to their partners when and only if they need
funds and also they always failed to submit a pellucid systematic report about the used and the
utilization of funds. That is why it is must be totally take into consideration not just the proper
utilization to the part of the elite but also the credibility and accountability of the agency.
It is then explained that agencies are somehow dependent to the essence and presence of
elite for it indeed stands as an essential part to the community resources for it provides both
material and human resources, and basically without it the social work practice would be
impaired and affected. On the other hand, there are numerous challenges that a social work will
be facing as it works together with the elite, to name a few it may include the problem of the lack
skill and experience and also miscommunication. However, social worker must view it as a
challenge in able to apply her problem-solving skills. And the reward for the positive response
for those challenges will come in may different ways, like elite’s ownership to the program and
such.
Mendoza (2002) listed a list of principles that will guide the social workers as they deal
and work with the elite. And these are the following:
1. Need and resource determination and matching.
- This refers to the need of the agency (i.e. projects, programs, materials, etc.) and the
resources that are preferably appropriate (i.e. what category line needed, what
competencies, the amount of resources itself, etc.) must be appropriately matched.
2. Clarity of purpose or objectives.
- The agency must be clearly delivered the objective of the program/project which the
elite are part in able to be interpreted and understood thoroughly by them.
3. Involvement in program/project planning and implementation.
- The elite however must be totally involved to the total plan of the agency to the
program and its implementation so that they could understand everything and how
they will fit in to their roles and responsibilities.
4. Unitary accountability.
- The agency and elite should share accountability for the program. And if there are
further modifications and changes along the way it must be discussed between the
both sides.
5. The social worker should treat the elite with respect and recognize their
contribution to the agency.
- The social worker must let and guide the elite to perform their own respective task
not just for the success of the agency’s program/project but also for the elite to
acquire a sense of fulfillment to their work.
6. Professionalism in dealing with the elite.
- Social worker must deal and act professionally as they all work together with the
elite. And the qualities of a social worker must be properly demonstrated. Also, the
worker must work collaboratively with the elite and never ever tries to compete.
DOCUMENT OR SOCIAL CRITICISM
This intervention does require and engages the worker in the documentation of the need
for both adequacies and inadequacies related aspects to the agency (i.e. social welfare programs,
deficiencies in the services, etc.). However, the purpose of being employed to a certain agency is
to translate all those agency policies into service towards the client. And beyond that duty or
task, the worker garners a more important responsibility in which to study their practice
experiences systematically and share it to others in a form of documentation.
Documentation does serve as a way to look upon those things happening in the agency
both positive and negative as it tries to transform its goals and policies into services and offers it
to various target clients. Through the use of this intervention, it could actually and definitely help
the practitioners to let them see what is happening in reality most especially in the deliverance of
the services of those agencies for there are cases that practitioners may find those agencies
services as good for it do look impressive in an agency manual but however contradicting to
what is in the reality. Actually, there a lot who seems so indifferent to the actual act of preparing
evidences that would somehow support their assertion and proposal that would bring about and
be made to the agency so as to benefit their clients.
Moreover, documentation type of intervention does also stand and serves as a way to see
necessary things that must be improved within the agency and evaluate certain aspects whether
to eradicate other ineffective programs and such. Thus, it needs a good understanding on the
programs and services and policies, accurate knowledge, and the skill to analyze such data.
Additionally, it somehow requires a total knowledge about how those programs/services/policies
runs and should be implemented. This knowledge will be directly translated into concrete certain
recommendations as to what action must be utilized with the programs and services, or etc.
whether to replace such programs which are then be seen unsatisfactory, this thing is shown
through the use of documentation.
ADVOCACY
This model of intervention is based on the idea that social work has a vital interest of its
own success to the pursuit of which will ultimately redound to the welfare of clients (Mendoza,
2002). This intervention enables social workers not just to become an “enabler” but to be the
“doer” which is much more important. Being a doer means, the practitioners must make its own
stand with regards to certain issues and defends her own position. It does not only mean to make
clear with the professional commitment but to pursue it accordingly.
Advocacy does involve the idea of efforts in changing the policies and programs as social
workers represents the behalf of the sectors of population. It doesn’t need a face-to-face helping
relationship for the intervention itself does not actually requires it. However, this concept/model
is personified by Jane Addams, the founder of Hull House in Chicago and who spent her time
working for social reform.
And according to La Pierre, advocacy may proceed into either two ways, either the
advocate starts as free-lance and if given become successful could establish an organization of
her own to continue and implement her work or she will work within an existing organizational
frame in able to apply her ideas and persuade the organization to adopt it and assume
responsibility for the further development. Moreover, despite of the idea that a social worker can
advocate her own right, but still there is always strength in numbers that is why there also plenty
of groups who pursues to advocacy for it can actually give a fuller development and promotion
to what is being advocated and also has likely the position to really influence change.
No matter it will be done either by one person or with group, affectual advocacy needs an
advocate who will work and will stand as an agent of social change. But first, the advocate must
know how to convinced herself first before she convinces others using her rigorous knowledge
about the subject and to bring about change in the status quo. However, it does require the
advocate to be:
 To be skilled in the ethics. The advocate must not only appeal with emotions but
also with reason justified by the justness of her cause,
 To have techniques of persuasion. The advocate must know how to use facts
and figures.
Lastly, in able for the advocacy to become effective it must be totally purposeful. The
advocate must know where to address herself and know the mode of communication she will be
utilizing in able to really meet the objectives.

(ILLUSTRATION)
WORKING WITH THE ELITE:
Case No. 1:

A public assistance agency establishes and created a program that would give benefit to
the destitute individuals in the society. However, in able for the program to be successfully
realized and implemented the agency tries to approach the elite group for assistance, they
explained rigorously the objective of the program and the agency’s programs and services quo in
able for those individual to fully recognized the need for them to become part of the said
program. By that, as they successfully teamed up to work with the program both of the agency
and the elite totally work together. The agency continuously guides the elite to work with their
part and constantly deals with them professionally and it always acknowledges the help that is
been contributed by elite that is being imparted to the program. Consequently, if given and
becomes successful it could be a great help between the both sides and to the success of the
program including to the clients’ part.

DOCUMENTATION OR SOCIAL CRITICISM:

A child welfare agency reevaluates the written proofs or somehow the documents they
have to see whether their current and ongoing programs and projects are still effective and
performing satisfactorily. However, they found out that some of those programs are depleting in
a way of having its services towards the target client. That is why, the need for further
reevaluation and observation must take place in able to take appropriate and just actions towards
it whether to improve the program itself or to eradicate the program totally. Documentation does
actually serve as the window to see what is actually happening between the services and
programs being offered by the agencies. Hence, it helps also to somehow take an appropriate
solution to any challenges or problems concurrently happening within the agency.

ADVOCACY:
Case No. 3:

A certain social worker does advocate the importance of having the specialist method of
practice in the field. She does establish some research about it showcasing its effectivity and its
value. Also, she created other written pronouncements about the specialist method that would
offer some specific details and general information about it. And basically, she tries to persuade
other individuals to agree with the idea she wants to advocate.

(INSIGHTS)

Indirect model of intervention offers another way of having a helping relationship to the
clients. Although it will may only be employed in relation to a particular client problem or
situation but all of those mentioned interventions are greatly essential in its own unique ways. It
offers various ways of intervention, although indirect but still suited to fix such underlying
problems behind concurrent situations. And with the help of the identification of the clients on
going needs, it could be also possibly able to realized and identify the priority model of
intervention to be used in taking up appropriate action towards the client’s problem and situation.

REFERENCES:
(NOTE: Same lang ginamit ko boss, si Mendoza lang at wala na akong ibang reference pa na
ginamit.)