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The document discusses principles and techniques in social work interviews. It describes the purpose of interviews as assessing client needs, gathering information, and developing support plans. It provides details on preparing for, conducting, and skills required for effective interviews, including types of interviews and professional writing in social work.

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Mark Andrei
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45 views3 pages

Group 1

The document discusses principles and techniques in social work interviews. It describes the purpose of interviews as assessing client needs, gathering information, and developing support plans. It provides details on preparing for, conducting, and skills required for effective interviews, including types of interviews and professional writing in social work.

Uploaded by

Mark Andrei
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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PRINCIPLES AND TECHNIQUES IN SOCIAL WORK

Interview
 An interview is a face-to-face meeting between two or more person’s directed towards a
purpose, such as to obtain information, to give instructions, and to help. In social work,
an interview is a structured conversation where a social worker interacts with a client to
assess their needs, gather information, provide support, and develop a plan to address the
client's concerns. It is a key tool used in social work practice to understand the client's
situation, build rapport, and work collaboratively towards solutions.

Methods in Conducting the Interview


1. Prepare for the interview – The Social Worker should anticipate the usual problems and
situation presented by people.
2. Always start by making the client feel comfortable
3. Use your intuition or “sixth sense” – the worker should be sensitive to certain signs that
tell her when or how to start the interview.
4. Exercise care in the use of interview instruments like intake and survey forms.
5. Be conscious of time – An interviewer should realize the need to set time limits on
the interview.
6. Do not rush into direct action or help without fully understanding the client’s
situation.
7. The interviewer should have proper deportment-the worker will find it helpful to learn
the norms in a particular community if she wants to be accepted by the people.(As a
professional person, try to develop a sense of propriety, carrying herself in such a
way that she maintains both her self-respect and the respect of others).

Tools
A. Audio or video recorders,
B. Microphone
C. Pen and paper
D. Source/research materials
using FTP or cloud storage sites.

Types of Social Work Interview


1. Informational Interview
 This is a type of interview design to obtain background or life history material
related to the personal or social problem faced by the client. It is aimed to seek
information that enables the worker/ agency to better understand the client so the
decisions can be made regarding the kinds of the services that should be
provided.
2. Diagnostic Interview
 This is also referred to as appraisal or decision-making interview. It is more
focused on making specific decisions involving human services.
3. Therapeutic Interview
 This is also referred to as appraisal or this type of interview is aimed to help
clients make changes on themselves, or to change the social environment to help
clients function better.

Purposes of Interview
 To obtain information
 To help the individual arrive at the right solution of the problem
 To give help to individual on his immediate needs
 To know the goal for particular interview

Skills required for an effective interview:


1. Skill in relating with the interviewee

 A social work interview is guided by the professional principles applied in working


with people which include the following:

 Accepting people as they are, regardless of whether the interviewee is


passive,resisting,aggressive, suspicious, etc.
 Individualizing people, knowing that they have different physiological and
psychological make-up, and also different cultural characteristics.
 Protecting the confidential nature of the interview, setting limits on himself with
regards to what kind of information to obtain from the client,
 Exercising discipline in the use of one’s self, cognizant of the worker’s holding
certain powers which can be used for or against a client, or suit her own needs or
ends.
 Allowing the interviewee to participateand become self-determining, i.e. providing
guidance, direction, support, etc. but always keeping in mind that the client has
capabilities and potentials.

2. Skill in Observing the Interviewee

 Being observant, sensitive to what the eyes can see: the physical appearance of the
interviewee, facial expression, gestures, body movements, and the like.
3. Skill in Listening

 A good interviewer is a good listener


 She listens before she talks, or starts the interview usually by giving its purpose, and
then lets the interviewee talk.
 She picks up important points for elaboration or discussion
 Encourages the client to express his feelings
4. Skill in Asking Questions

 An interviewer would do well to remember that a friendly manner in asking


questions can make the difference between her getting correct or wrong information,
and a response or hostile reply.
5. Skill in Answering Personal Questions
 The Filipino social worker should realize that she, too, is entitled to her privacy and
she must not feel obliged to answer every question her client asks.

6. Interpreting the Client’s Response


 The interviewer gives meaning to the client’s words, expressions and behavior.
 The worker should exercise care in order to arrive at objective and accurate
interpretations.
 There is also a need to understand the client’s culture, when making interpretations
of his responses.

Types of social work professional writing :

1. **Process Reflective Writing**: This form involves reflecting on your experiences,


actions, and decisions in social work practice. It focuses on self-awareness, personal growth, and
learning from past experiences to improve future practice.

2. **Narrative Process Writing**: Narrative writing involves telling a story or recounting


events to convey a message or evoke emotions. In social work, this form can be used to share
client experiences, interventions, or outcomes in a compelling and engaging way.

3. **Critical Analytical Writing**: This form involves critically analyzing theories,


policies, interventions, or social issues related to social work practice. It requires evaluating
information, identifying strengths and weaknesses, and forming well-supported arguments or
recommendations.

4. **Case Study Writing**: Case studies are in-depth analyses of specific cases or
scenarios in social work practice. They typically describe a client's situation, interventions, and
outcomes, highlighting important factors, challenges, and lessons learned.

5. **Writing for Different Media**: This involves adapting your writing style and
content to suit different platforms or audiences, such as reports, academic journals, policy briefs,
social media, or public outreach materials. It requires tailoring your message to effectively
communicate with diverse stakeholders.

Each form of writing in social work serves a unique purpose and requires specific skills
to effectively convey information, insights, and recommendations within the field.

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