Several differences emerge between the problem-solving approach and the strength-based approach in social work practice. Although the problem-solving approach focuses on individuals and not the external variables of social work, the strength-based approach encourages interpersonal strengths and community networks. The principle of the problem-solving approach rests on the framework of addressing a problem without empowering the client. The approach is devoid of providing the client with the necessary technique to solve their problems in future. In contemporary social work practice, the problem-solving model emphasizes a client’s deficits and what they need to solve. However, social work practice revolves around capacity building, where the social worker guides the client into gaining stability to solve their problems.
The strength-based approach focuses on interpersonal relationships. The social workers take advantage of the clients’ strengths to empower them to find solutions for their problems. Understanding the dimensions of the problem-solving approach and strength-based approach aligns with the arguments of Tong (2011) that success is social workers depends on the need to use a strength-based approach to assess the pains, problems and issues of the client and guide them through a sustainable path that addresses these problems even in future. It is imperative to incorporate a strength-based approach over a problem-solving approach because of its ability to help the client and the social worker develop a relationship.
The model helps the client understand their role in devising unique ways of healing or resolving their problems. Thus, the strength-based approach is significant when seeking to work with clients and help them fit into the community. A social workers can incorporate the strength-based approach in their practice. Therefore, I will include the principles of a strength-based approach by forging a personal connection with the client in the entire social work process.
5.2 Practicing from a Strengths-Based Perspective
Sherry’s case demonstrates aspects of resilience. From the story, Karen faces moral situations daily. As a social worker, she has experienced challenges and difficulties where she works late in the night on almost thirty cases which indicates the desire to succeed against all odds. Sherry called Karen seeking help on given financial problems. In this case, Sherry is young but shoulders the responsibility of a primary caregiver to her dying mothers. The massive responsibility on her has affected her life made her stop school at grade eight. The limited education has not prevented her from raising five children. The situation is compounded by her history, where she suffered abuse from her father. As a result, she did not grow up receiving support, thus affecting her ability to socialize. Sherry manifests resilience and wants to change her life for the better.
The case emphasizes the need for resilience. Karen uses her role as a social worker to understand Sherry’s challenges and use her strengths in overcoming them. Therefore, Karen focuses on the strength-based approach to motivate Sherry into adopting a positive attitude. According to Unfried (2000), Karen herself is a product of resilience, having escaped from abuse from her boyfriend. She uses her social work resources, fosters interpersonal relationships with Sherry, and engages in better mechanisms to find solutions. Interpersonal cooperation proves to be an effective tool in increasing Sherry’s confidence. I would use the same strength-based approach to help Sherry address her problems without affecting her identity and diversity.
6.1 Identifying Helping Skills in Involuntary Client Relationships
Social work practice focuses on interpersonal relationship strategies to engage with the involuntary client. The relationship strategies include client-based approaches, motivation and interviewing skills which encourages engagement with involuntary clients. The relationship of Karen with Katy indicates significant skills in helping with the involuntary client relationship. When Katy makes an effort to reach out to Karen and seek help about her son, there is enthusiasm. Karen embraces the idea to help Katy considering that the 17-year-old client needs support to help her endure the challenging experiences. Karen utilizes interviewing skills to engage. Child welfare clients require friendly social workers who express care (De Boer and Cody 2007). Therefore, Karen emerges as a supporting social worker who engages Katy with interviewing skills and encourages her to address her problems.
Larry’s case captures elements of violence. The context shows the legal actions against Lory and how the legal system helps in supporting the objectives and goals of social work. The social workers warmed Jared’s father about the violence and thus reduced the possibility of further abuse. Social work practice uses a legal system to reduce undesired actions against their clients (De Boar and Cody 2007). Social workers should engage in sustainable practices that effectively help their clients create a community network that supports their ability to find solutions.
Donna’s case focuses on both a strength-based approach and a humanistic approach. Donna faces challenges where she is the mother of two children and is addicted to alcohol. Karen utilizes the foundation of trust and collaboration to ensure that Donna understands herself. According to De Boar and Cody (2007), a positive relationship between a social worker and the client forms the basis of an effective program. Karen understands that for Donna to embrace change, they need to be honest, build trust and tackle her problem with alcohol addiction.
Activity 7.1: Child Protection in Practice
In British Columbia, Canada, legislation on child protection affects the role of social workers. The Child Family Service Act in British Columbia defines child abuse within the perspectives of physical, emotional and psychological torture, neglect and exposing them to domestic violence. Children from families in low socio-economic backgrounds tend to experience widespread cases of child abuse and neglect because of the inability of their parents to provide necessities (John Howard Society of Alberta 2010). I believe that from the context of child protection practices, Valentine is not neglecting Raisa. She has provided the basic needs and has shown the desire to support the child. It is only in a few instances that she allowed Barry to harm her. I find Valentina inconsiderate for valuing her relationship with Barry at the expense of her daughter. The issue of the child’s safety occurs because Valentina did not categorically abuse Raisa but compromised her safety to accommodate her boyfriend.
Welfare programs aim at reducing child neglect. Social work practice understands that most families from poor financial and socio-economic backgrounds can expose their children to child neglect (Schreiber et al., 2013). Therefore, the welfare programs and laws in British Colombia take child neglect seriously. The legal framework requires the social workers to step in to protect the child from abuse or neglect. In the case of Valentina, she cannot step up and protect her child because she depends on her boyfriend, Barry, for economic support.
The legal system supports social workers in providing services to children suffering from neglect and abuse. The existing child protection laws in British Colombia give the social workers the mandate to rescue children from neglecting parents and provide them with protection. The legal status outlines that all children should access social protection services even if the family cannot afford them (Kufeldt 2010). As a result, British Columbia acknowledges a relationship between family socio-economic background and child neglect. Therefore, the law strengthens child welfare programs that allow social workers the capacity to extend protection services.
8.1 Anti-Oppressive Practice
The tenets of structural social work are evident in Sherry’s situation. The foundation of Sherry’s problems is from her low socio-economic background. She faces financial problems which she cannot directly control. Also, Sherry does not h enjoy the opportunity that most young women have in educating themselves. Since she dropped out of school in grade eight to take care of her mother, she missed the socio-economic opportunities that educated people can access. At the moment, Sherry cannot work, has five children to take care of without the support of a caring partner. The dimensions of problem-solving these financial situations fail to underscore how Sherry cannot approach the welfare agency for support.
The intervention for the social worker would be to collaborate with the community in helping Sherry make friends and get social support network to manage her situation. The social network can expose Sherry to numerous opportunities where she will escape domestic violence. Therefore, addressing Sherry’s problems requires a structural social work approach to advocate for the welfare agency to get her monthly stipend. The social worker can collaborate with Sherry, private agencies, and other stakeholders to find affordable housing to accommodate her five children. Also, it is imperative to seek support from different groups that would help the children with affordable counselling and speech therapy.
References
De Boer, C. and Coady, N. (2007). Good helping relationships in child welfare: learning from stories of success. Child & Family Social Work, 12: 32–42.
John Howard Society of Alberta. (2010). The Relationship Between Domestic Violence & Child Abuse.
Kufeldt, K. (2011). Indigenous issues in child welfare: Themes and implications. Child welfare: connecting research, policy, and practice. Waterloo, Ont.: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2, 353-368.
Tong, M. (2011). The Client-Centered Integrative Strengths-Based Approach: Ending Longstanding Conflict between Social Work Values and Practice. Canadian Social Science, 7(2), 15-22.
Schreiber, J. C., Fuller, T. & Paceley, M.S. (2013). Engagement in child protective services: Parent perceptions of worker skills. Children and Youth Services Review, 35(4) 707-715.
Unfried, B. (2010). SOCW 2061: An Introduction to Social Work Practice A Day (and Night) in the Life of a Social Worker. Social Work Practice, Nelson Education Ltd., 3E (c).
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