CSWE Competencies & Behaviors

Foundation

 Behaviors

1.1

Make ethical decisions by applying the standards of the NASW Code of Ethics, relevant laws and regulations, models for ethical decision-making, ethical conduct of research, and additional codes of ethics as appropriate to context

1.2

Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations

1.3

Demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and oral, written, and electronic communication

1.4

 Use technology ethically and appropriately to facilitate practice behavior outcomes

1.5

Use supervision and consultation to guide professional judgment and behavior

Advanced Clinical Behavior

1.1 CL

Apply professional social work ethics and laws to resolve ethical dilemmas arising in the context of clinical practice

Advanced Macro Behaviors

1.1 Macro

Conduct one’s self professionally while engaging in a variety of macro professional roles (e.g., facilitator, leader, broker, organizer, negotiator, educator, researcher or manager) as appropriate for the practice setting

1.2 Macro

Employ strategies of ethical reasoning and problem solving in assessment, intervention, and evaluation of organization, community, and policy practice

1.3 Macro

Communicate information in a manner that is appropriate for the target audience and for the medium of choice (e.g., advocacy brief, social media, budget, grant proposal, presentation, etc.)

Foundation

 Behaviors

2.1

Apply and communicate understanding of the importance of diversity and difference in shaping life experiences in practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels

2.2

Present themselves as learners and engage clients and constituencies as experts of their own experiences

2.3

Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies

Advanced Clinical  Behavior

2.1 CL

Identify the impact of diversity factors (e.g., age, class, color, sex, sexual orientation, culture, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, immigration status, political ideology, race, and/or religion) upon practitioner-client transactions and apply this knowledge to practice

Advanced Macro Behavior

2.1 Macro

Establish effective and collaborative working relationships with people of various cultural backgrounds and identities, especially with marginalized populations

Foundation

Behaviors

3.1

Apply their understanding of social, economic, and environmental justice to advocate for human rights at the individual and system levels

3.2

Engage in practices that advance social, economic, and environmental justice

Advanced Clinical Behavior

3.1 CL

Demonstrate an awareness of the effects of current and historical oppression, discrimination, and trauma on client and client systems

Advanced Macro Behavior

3.1 Macro

Demonstrate an understanding of structural systems of inequality and apply this understanding to one’s organization, community, or policy work

 Foundation

Behaviors

4.1

Use practice experience and theory to inform scientific inquiry and research

4.2

Apply critical thinking to engage in analysis of quantitative and qualitative research methods and research findings

4.3

Use and translate research evidence to inform and improve practice, policy, and service delivery

Advanced Clinical Behaviors

4.1 CL

Identify and assess the appropriateness of evidence-based bio-psycho-social approaches that can be used in clinical assessment and intervention with clients

4.2 CL

Develop a research question that can inform policy, programs, or practice (same as 4.2 Macro)

4.3 CL

Conduct quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis and use findings to inform policy, program, or practice (same as 4.3 Macro)

Advanced Macro Behaviors

4.1 Macro

Construct and utilize best practices and evidence to develop and implement community, organizational, or policy interventions

4.2 Marco

Develop a research question that can inform policy, programs, or practice (same as 4.2 CL)

4.3 Macro

Conduct quantitative and/or qualitative data analysis and use findings to inform policy, program, or practice (same as 4.3 CL)

Foundation

Behaviors

5.1

Identify social policy at the local, state, and federal level that impacts well-being, service delivery, and access to social services

5.2

Assess how social welfare and economic policies impact the delivery of and/or access to social services

5.3

Apply critical thinking to analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance human rights and social, economic, and environmental justice

Advanced Clinical Behaviors

5.1 CL

Be able to articulate the factors that shape the development of legislation, policies, program services and/or funding at all system levels and the effect of public policy on client services and/or programming in an area of practice (same as 5.1 Macro)

5.2 CL

Communicate to stakeholders, administrators, legislators and/or colleagues the implications of policies and programs, and implications of policy and program changes in the lives of clients, communities, organizations, or society (same as 5. 2 Macro)

Advanced Macro Behaviors

5.1 Macro

Be able to articulate the factors that shape the development of legislation, policies, program services and/or funding at all system levels and the effect of public policy on client services and or programming in an area of practice (same as 5.1 CL)

5.2 Macro

Communicate to stakeholders, administrators, legislators and/or colleagues the implications of policies and programs, and implications of policy and program changes in the lives of clients, communities, organizations, or society (same as  5.2 CL)

Foundation

Behaviors

6.1

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks to engage with clients and constituencies

6.2

Use empathy, reflection, and interpersonal skills

Advanced Clinical Behaviors

6.1 CL

Establish a therapeutic contract with a client and modify the contract based on on-going clinical assessment and client feedback

6.2 CL

Recognize and manage personal biases as they affect the therapeutic relationship in the service of clients' wellbeing

Advanced Macro Behaviors

6.1 Macro

Use strategies collaboratively with people from diverse economic, political, social, and cultural backgrounds, and/ or from marginalized communities to promote sustainable change and equity for oppressed client groups, communities, organizations, institutions, or society

Foundation

Behaviors

7.1

Collect and organize data, and apply critical thinking to interpret information from clients and constituencies

7.2

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the analysis of assessment data from clients and constituencies

7.3

Develop mutually agreed-on intervention goals and objectives based on the critical assessment of strengths, needs, and challenges within clients and constituencies

7.4

Select appropriate intervention strategies based on the assessment, research knowledge, and values and preferences of clients and constituencies

Advanced Clinical Behaviors

7.1 CL

Synthesize and differentially apply theories of human behavior and the social environment to guide clinical practice

7.2 CL

Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of theoretical perspectives and differentially apply them to client situations

7.3 CL

Formulate culturally informed client assessments that integrate information from all relevant sources

Advanced Macro Behaviors

7.1 Macro

Assess and analyze social systems (e.g., communities, organizations, political systems) using multiple frameworks and synthesis to inform intervention

7.2 Macro

Synthesize and differentially apply theories, constructs, frameworks and models of human behavior and the social environment to guide assessments and planning macro practice

Foundation

Behaviors

8.1

Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies

8.2

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies

8.3

Use intra and/or inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes

8.4

Negotiate, mediate, or advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies

8.5

Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed on goals

Advanced Clinical Behaviors

8.1 CL

Evaluate, select, and apply best practices and evidence-based interventions

8.2 CL

Demonstrate the use of appropriate clinical techniques for a range of concerns identified in the assessment

Advanced Macro Behaviors

8.1 Macro

Identify appropriate intervention and how it is relevant to client/constituent system

8.2 Macro

Implement a problem-solving sequence when intervening in an organizational, community, or policy practice setting

8.3 Macro

Make use of changing technology or innovations that contribute to understanding and addressing problems affecting organizations, communities, or policy

Foundation

Behaviors

9.1

Select appropriate methods for evaluation of outcomes

9.2

Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in the evaluation of outcomes

9.3

Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate intervention and program processes and outcomes

9.4

Apply evaluation findings to improve practice effectiveness at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels

Advanced Clinical Behavior

9.1 CL

Assess the effectiveness of interventions with clients

Advanced Macro Behavior

9.1 Macro

Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions or best practice with programs, organizations, communities, or policy