Soical Work Theory and Practice
SWK 527 – Signature Assignment: Social Work Theory and Practice Assignment
EPAS 2015 – Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities Social workers understand that intervention is an ongoing component of the dynamic and interactive process of social work practice with, and on behalf of, diverse individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers are knowledgeable about evidence-informed interventions to achieve the goals of clients and constituencies, including individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Social workers understand theories of human behavior and the social environment, and critically evaluate and apply this knowledge to effectively intervene with clients and constituencies. Social workers understand methods of identifying, analyzing and implementing evidence-informed interventions to achieve client and constituency goals. Social workers value the importance of inter-professional teamwork and communication in interventions, recognizing that beneficial outcomes may require interdisciplinary, inter-professional, and inter-organizational collaboration.
Social workers:
· Critically choose and implement interventions to achieve practice goals and enhance capacities of clients and constituencies;
· Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment, person-in-environment, and other multidisciplinary theoretical frameworks in interventions with clients and constituencies;
· Use inter-professional collaboration as appropriate to achieve beneficial practice outcomes;
· Negotiate, mediate, and advocate with and on behalf of diverse clients and constituencies; and
· Facilitate effective transitions and endings that advance mutually agreed-on goals.
The Signature Assignment: (200 Points)
Signature Assignments are those assignments chosen by the WNMU School of Social Work faculty to evaluate a student’s ability to demonstrate the CSWE-mandated core competencies and related practice behaviors. In addition to measuring student competency, the assignments are used as indicators of program efficacy. Signature assignments are clearly identified in all School of Social Work syllabi. Students must demonstrate competency in order to pass each course. Students must complete all signature assignments throughout their program of study.
This Signature Assignment is an opportunity for you to apply critical thinking to explore topics of your professional interest related to social work theories, areas of social work practice and interventions that help our clients. The goal of the assignment for you to identify 2 theoretical perspectives that interests you and plan to use in your social work practice. Your chosen theories should be presented in relation to related area of practice, client system/population and supporting interventions. In order to optimize your learning, you encouraged to choose new areas of learning, rather than areas in which you have practiced or are familiar.
In this two-part assignment you are asked to summarize a theory, an area of practice that can be applied to the theory, a client population aligned with the area of practice and an intervention to be implemented. This will be done twice as you will choose a 2nd theory, area of practice, client population and intervention to be applied. Student learning will also be discussed.
Components of the Assignment:
1. Theories/Models (30 Points):
a. Choose and discuss 2 theories or models related to social work practice. This can be a theory or model within our SWK 527 course or other theories of your choice aligned with social work.
b. Summarize Concepts of Each Theory:
i. Summarize and discuss key the concepts and assumptions of the chosen theories.
ii. Each theory should be evaluated from the viewpoint of its usefulness and relevance to the application of practice of your chosen interest.
iii. Note that when you discuss the usefulness and relevance of each theory, this should not be merely a matter of personal opinion. Your preference must be supported and explained by considering the scholarly published literature, evidence of usefulness and effectiveness, and congruence with professional values and ethics.
2. Application of Practice Areas (30 Points):
a. Choose 2 social work practice areas based on your own professional interest of social work practice.
b. Describe the areas of practice:
I. Discuss the specific areas of practice based on your own professional interest of social work practice.
II. Discuss how the areas of practice align with your chosen theoretical framework/model, client population, and intervention.
3. Client Systems/Population (30 Points):
a. Choose 2 client systems/populations based on your own interest of social work practice.
b. Describe the client systems/populations and discuss how each align with each theory, practice area, and intervention.
4. Description of Intervention (30 Points):
a. Describe 2 specific interventions you as a social worker plan to use with client(s).
b. The 2 interventions must be aligned with the chosen theories, areas of practice and client system/population.
a. Discuss the specific steps or tasks to be used by you, the social worker in implementing each chosen intervention.
5. Learning (30 Points): Discuss what you have learned from this assignment from a professional and personal perspective. Also discuss the practical application and usefulness of this assignment for your future social work practice.
6. Preparation and Professional Writing (50 Points):
a. This 8 to 10-page paper requires a minimum of six scholarly published sources that address the social work profession that must be used to support the evidence of the theories, practice areas, client types, and interventions chosen (no websites should be used in this assignment).
b. Scholarly writing in the School of Social Work requires the accurate use of APA 6th Edition. Students must use Times New Roman 12-point font.
c. This assignment is to be written in the third person with bolded headings/sub-headings.
d. Please be sure to review the grading rubric before you start writing so you include all the required components of the assignment.
Outline for the Signature Assignment (Bolded Headings):
Introduction
Theory 1 (name of theory)
Summary of Concepts of Theory
Practice Area (name of area of practice)
Client population (client type)
Intervention (intervention name)
Theory 2 (name of theory)
Summary of Concepts of Theory
Practice Area (name of area of practice)
Client population (client type)
Intervention (intervention name)
Learning
Conclusion
Reference Page
Examples of theories, practice areas, client systems and interventions might include:
(students must think critically about their own professional interests and may not use the examples below)
Attachment Theories → Child Welfare → Teen Parents and Infant Bonding → Task-Centered Approach
Crisis Theory → Domestic Violence → Women and Children → Crisis Intervention
Transpersonal Theories of Human Development → Child Welfare → At Risk Families → Solution-Focused Approach
SWK 527: Signature Assignment Grading Rubric
EPAS 2015 – Competency 8: Intervene with Individuals, Families, Groups, Organizations, and Communities
Criteria
18-20 Points
Capstone (A)
16-17 Points
Benchmark (B)
14-15 Points
Emerging Skill (C)
0-13 Points
Not Competent (D/F)
Scoring
APA:
Title page (1 pts.)
running head (2 pts.)
page numbers (2 pts.)
references page (5 pts.)
in text citations (5 pts.)
section headings (3 pts.)
font (12pt Times New Roman) (1 pt.)
margins and spacing (1 pt.)
Successfully demonstrates mastery of 18-20 points of the criteria.
Successfully demonstrates 16-17 points of the criteria.
Demonstrates only 14-15 points of the criteria.
Did not meet criteria. (0-13 points)
Score this section:
Criteria
27-30 Points
Capstone (A)
24-26.5 Points
Benchmark (B)
21-23.5 Points
Emerging Skill (C)
0-20 Points
Not Competent (D/F)
Scoring
Writing:
Spelling (3 pts.)
grammar (4 pts.)
word usage (5 pts.)
page length (3 pts.)
sentence structure (6 pts.)
punctuation (4 pts.)
appropriate sources (5 pts.)
Successfully demonstrates mastery of 27-30 points of the criteria.
Successfully demonstrates 24-26.5 points of the criteria.
Demonstrates only 21-23.5 points of the criteria.
Did not meet criteria. (0-20 points)
Score this section:
Criteria
(Dimensions Measured)
108-120 Points
Capstone (A)
96-107.5 Points
Benchmark (B)
84-95.5 Points
Emerging Skill (C)
0-83.5 Points
Not Competent (D/F)
Scoring
DIMENSION ONE:
· Knowledge
Student provides thorough and detailed summaries of 2 theories/models including evaluation of usefulness and relevance and application of practice. (27-30 pts.)
Student provides good summaries of 2 theories/models including evaluation of usefulness and relevance and application of practice. The information provided is lacking some detail. (24-26.5 pts.)
Student provides very basic summaries of 2 theories/models including minimal evaluation of usefulness and relevance and application of practice. The information provided is lacking detail in more than one area.
(21-23.5 pts.)
Student does not provide summaries of 2 theories/models including no evaluation of usefulness and relevance and application of practice. Significant detail is missing.
(0-20 pts.)
Score this section:
Student provides a very clear and thorough description of 2 social work practice areas which align well with each theoretical framework/model, client population, and intervention. (27-30 pts.)
Student provides a good description of 2 social work practice areas which align with each theoretical framework/model, client population, and intervention. The information provided is lacking some detail.
(24-26.5 pts.)
Student provides a very brief or basic description of 2 social work practice areas which minimally align with each theoretical framework/model, client population, and intervention. The information provided is…
