GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE Generalist Social Work Practice involves working "with client systems at all levels,

connecting clients to available resources, intervening with organizations to enhance the responsiveness of resources systems, advocating just social policies to ensure the equitable distribution of resources, and researching all aspects of social work practice" (Miley, O'Melia, and Dubois, 1998, p.9). Generalist Social Work Practice:

Uses a systems or person-in-environment perspective Uses the strengths and client empowerment perspectives Requires multi-systems level intervention (micro and macro interventions) Involves the application of critical thinking skills to the planned change approach/process (assessment, intervention, evaluation, termination) Integrates direct practice with social policy and social work research Is guided by the professional code of ethics Provides the core competencies (knowledge and skills) for beginning level practice in a variety of social and human service settings Serves as the foundation for advanced practice

There is an impression or a wrong impression that believes that a social worker is also a case worker, a worker group, or a community organizer. Practically, the social worker knows that these beliefs are wrong because each social worker is a change agent who works with individuals, groups, families, organizations, and wider society. Devoted to various levels of activity of workers to the workers, but any social worker, at a time, will be working on every level and as such requires all the training. Generalist social workers are trained to use the problem-solving process to assess and intervene in the problems facing individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Andersen (1981) identified there are three characteristics a generalist social worker: (1) generalist always in a professional first to see clients as they enter the social welfare system, (2) social workers should therefore be competent to judge ( to assess ) their needs and identify the pressures and the main problem, (3) social workers have to apply diverse skills and methods in serving clients. According to the the generalist model the worker must perform a wide range of tasks related to the provision and management of direct service, the development of social policy, and the facilitation of social change. The generalist should be well grounded in system theory that emphasizes

interaction and independence. The major system that will be used is a local network of services The public welfare worker in a small county may be a classic example of generalist. He or she knows the resources of the county, is acquainted with the key people, and may have considerable influence to accomplish service goals, including obtaining jobs, different housing, or emergency food and clothing. The activities of the urban generalist are more complex, and more effort must be expended to use the array of resources.

Hull (1990) describes generalist social work practice as: The basic principle of generalist practice is that baccalaureate social worker are able to utilize the problem-solving process to intervene with various size systems, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. The generalist operates within a systems and person-in-theenvironment framework (sometimes referred to as the ecological model). The generalist operates within a system and the person-in-the-environment framework (sometimes referred to as an ecological model). The generalist expects that many problems will require intervention with more than one system (e.g., individual work with [a] delinquent adolescent plus work with the family or school), and that single explanations of the problem situations are frequently unhelpful. The generalist may play several roles simultaneously or sequentially depending upon the needs of the client (e.g., facilitator, advocate, educator, broker, enabler, case manager, and/or mediator). They may serve as leaders/facilitators of task groups, socialization groups, information groups, and self-help groups. They are capable of conducting needs assessments and evaluating their own practice and the programs with which they are associated. They make referrals when client problems so dictate and know when to utilize supervision from more experienced staff. Generalist operated within the ethical guidelines prescribed by the NASW Code of Ethics and must be able to work with clients, co-workers and colleagues from different ethnic, cultural, and professional orientations. The knowledge and skills of the generalist are transferable to one setting to another and from one problem to another. (p.7) The most important thing of generalist practice includes a view of the situation of the concept of a person in their environment and the ability and willingness to intervene at different levels, if necessary, while the estimated number of roles required. Barker (1999) describes a generalist social worker practice are:

A social work practitioner who is knowledgeable, skilled that emphasizes a broad spectrum, and that examines the issue comprehensively and solutions. Generalist always coordinates efforts to facilitate communication specialists among them, in order to reach sustainability handling. ( p. 190)

Generalist Social Work Practice Implementation