The document outlines 10 core social work competencies including: identifying as a professional social worker, applying ethical principles, using critical thinking, engaging diversity, commitment to social and economic justice, research-informed practice, applying knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, policy practice, responding to contexts that shape practice, and engaging, assessing, intervening and evaluating with clients. The University of Southern Maine field work experience helps students achieve these competencies through practice.

1. The Ten Social Work Competencies
Use this tool to explore the competencies
within the social work profession. See how
the University of Southern Maine field work
experience can help you achieve these
competencies.

2. Identify as a
Engage, Professional
Application
Assess, Social
Worker of Ethical
Intervene
Principles
and Evaluate
Contexts
that Shape Using Critical
Practice Thinking Skills
Social Work
Competencies
Public Policy Engage Diversity
in Practice and Difference
Commitment
Knowledge to Social and
of Economic
HBSE Research Justice

3. Competency 2.1.1: Identify as a professional social worker
Identify as a and conduct oneself accordingly.
Professional
Social Develop self-confidence and capacity for
Worker independent and interdependent functioning
as a professional social worker
Professional Social Workers:
• Practice personal reflection and self-correction
• Understand boundaries
• Utilize supervision time efficiently
• Function as active listeners
• Demonstrate
•Professional demeanor (dress, behavior, etc.)
•Time managements skills
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4. Competency 2.1.2: Apply social work ethical principles to
Application guide professional practice
of Ethical Reflect on, identify the impact of, and manage personal values, feelings,
Principles and behavior in a way that allows professional values to guide practice
Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice by
applying strategies of ethnical reasoning to arrive at principled
decisions
Social Workers:
• Recognize their own personal values
in a way that is consistent with professional practice
• Make ethical decisions by applying standards of the
National Association of Social Workers Code of Ethics.
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5. Competency 2.1.3: Apply critical thinking to inform and
communicate professional judgments
Using Critical
Thinking Skills Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between facts, impressions,
opinions, and feelings in their work with clients and collateral systems
Apply critical thinking skills in the context of practice
Analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and
evaluation.
Demonstrate effective oral and written
communication in working with:
a) Individuals
b) Families
c) Groups
d) Organizations
e) Communities
f) Colleagues
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6. Competency 2.1.4: Engage diversity and difference in practice
Engage Diversity View and treat all people with dignity and respect
and Difference
Understand the importance of difference in shaping life experiences
Demonstrate self- Recognize ways in
awareness of which cultural
personal biases structures and norms
and/or values, and may oppress,
how they inform marginalize, alienate,
culturally sensitive create, or enhance
practice privilege and power.
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7. Competency 2.1.5: Advance human rights and social and
Commitment economic justice
to Social and Appreciate and understand forms and mechanisms of oppression and
Economic discrimination and work to advance social justice
Justice
Identify gaps in services and resources
with an understanding of the
Advocate connection between resource
disparities and the forces
of oppression.
Empower
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8. Competency 2.1.6: Engage in research informed practice and practice
informed research
Research
Make Peer reviewed journals
observations and
pose questions
for further
investigative
Correlational research
Base practice
Use practice interventions on
experience to accepted research
inform scientific findings
inquiry Qualitative
vs.
Quantitative
Experimental
Literature reviews
Evaluate the
Use research
effectiveness of
evidence to
practice
inform practice
interventions
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9. Competency 2.1.7: Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social
Knowledge environment
of Apply theories, such as strengths perspective and systems model, within
HBSE the context of generalist social work practice in the field
Apply knowledge of human behavior in
assessments, interventions, and evaluations.
Apply critical thinking skills to
examine theoretical constructs
Theories
Demonstrate understanding of
theories of human behavior
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10. Competency 2.1.8: Engage in policy practice to advance social and
economic well-being and to deliver effective social work services
Public Policy
in Practice Continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing
needs/problems within communities and propose solutions for
organizational or policy change
Analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well being
Collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action
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11. Competency 2.1.9: Respond to contexts that shape practice
Contexts that Develop awareness of the various social and
Shape economic forces and trends that influence the
Practice
delivery and accessibility of social services
Understand how organizations and
institutions may impede service user need
Collaborate in promoting sustainable
changes in service delivery
Assist users of services by developing
strategies of intervention that can
promote improvement of access
Practice to improve the quality of
social services
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12. Competency 2.1.10: Engage, assess, intervene and evaluate with
Engage, individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
Assess,
Intervene A. ENGAGE
and Evaluate Connect with client systems using empathy, active listening and other
interpersonal skills
Develop mutually agreed upon goals and
B. ASSESS desired outcomes with client systems
Collect, organize, and interpret client data to C. INTERVENE
assess client strengths and limitations in order Help clients resolve problems by implementing
to select appropriate intervention strategies preventive interventions that enhance client
capacities - facilitate transitions and endings
Negotiate, mediate, and advocate for clients
while working to support Agency’s missions,
goals, and objectives
D. EVALUATE
Critically analyze, monitor,
and evaluate interventions
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