The Convergence of Strengths and Solutions in Positive Social Work Practice (Essay Sample)

The Convergence of Strengths and Solutions in Positive Social Work Practice The Convergence of Strengths and Solutions in Positive Social Work Practice Introduction The strength-based approach focuses on the strength of an individual rather than their weaknesses in relation to what is happening in their lives. Social workers utilize a strength-based approach to show clients that their ability to overcome some experiences and live with them is their strength. The strength-based approach builds on the belief that everyone has inherent strength and can use it to overcome different challenges in their daily activities. The solution-focused approach focuses on the solutions to an individual’s problem rather than the problem as the main goal. The goal of the solution-based approach is to find the solution. It does not ignore the problems; instead, it creates an environment in which there is a need to find solutions to the problem rather than dwelling on the problems. The solution-based approach commonly applies exception questions that allow individuals to describe the solution they have embraced to a particular problem rather than asking them questions that directly touch on the problem (Chapin, Nelson-Becker & Macmillan, 2006). The theoretical underpinnings of the strength-based approach are based on six aspects developed in 2008 by Rapp, Saleeby, and Sullivan, which contribute to the positive orientation of the approach. These aspects include being client-centered, assessing the client’s strengths, making use of the resources, identifying strengths, having a hope-oriented relationship, and having the ability of the individuals to choose from different autonomy. Also, the strength-based approach is based on some principles such as the potential of every individual, what one focuses on becomes reality, words used become reality, change cannot be avoided, authentic relationships allow positive change, every individual is an author of their story, the process starts with what one knows already, no single way to change, and change involves collaboration and inclusion. The theoretical underpinnings of the solution-focused approach contributing to its positive orientation are that resources are within the client, and they can utilize them to make a change in their life. This approach builds on exceptions and mainly focuses on solutions rather than problems (Caiels, Beadle-Brown & Milne, 2021). Macro practice, social development, and social pedagogy are essential in social work practice. The macro practice involves people coming together, identifying issues of concern, and resolving them together. Social development focuses on the idea of social progress to enhance economic development in areas where the political system is prioritized more than economic development. In contrast, for social pedagogy, the main idea is educational development. Macro practice, social development, and social pedagogy share various similarities. The three require interpersonal and group communication skills since they deal with a wider society where communication and interpersonal interaction are essential. The three empowers as macro practice brings the community together, social development encourages economic development, and social pedagogy allows education on important aspects of society, empowering individuals in different aspects of social life. They also promote personal education and development and improve individuals’ interpersonal skills. Since all three address social issues in society, they encourage relationship-building by promoting togetherness in the community, creating awareness of the social issues that are not addressed in some communities, and developing an environment where people are educated on social issues (Payne, 2015). Literature Review Strength-based intervention was developed in the early 1980s by Charles Rapp, Ronna Chamberlain, Wallace Kisthardt, W. It focuses on the resources that can help an individual develop strength and on past successes and builds strength on them. This approach is client-centered, allowing the client and the social worker to collaborate during the session. 83% of the clients subjected to the strength-based approach have proven it has benefited them. The solution-focused intervention was developed by Steve de Shazer and Insoo Kim Berg, who were social workers to change the clients’ perspective after the strength-based intervention was criticized. The main perspective that was aimed to be changed was to allow the clients to focus on solutions rather than problems (Franklin, 2015). Macro practice is about bringing people together and solving issues as a community, and when community work is integrated with it, it accelerates togetherness. It engages people, and in that process, people develop trust in each other, and therefore, they can take action on issues that affect them in the community. It also empowers individuals in the community to be concerned about others, which is something that develops advocacy policy practice. The community can develop strengths that make people ready to face different challenges at any level without fear (Payne, 2015). In resource-poor countries, social development has contributed to social equity between different groups nationally, promoting an equal share of resources. Institutional and structural reforms have also been introduced to ensure people are involved in the institutional development and development of the economy in their region, hence combating poverty and a dying economy. Social development also contributes to human development, encouraging individuals to act on their own to improve their area’s economy and playing a more significant role in the development (Payne, 2015). Comparative Analysis Strength-based intervention is client-centered, allowing the client to develop strength on the current issue. In contrast, solution-focused intervention prioritizes the solutions to the problem instead of the problem. The client in strength-based intervention utilizes desired strength to address their main issue, while in solution-focused intervention, the main focus is on implementing solutions that would help the client cope with a particular issue. In a strength-based approach, the client’s strength is prioritized, and therapeutic goals are formulated to develop their strengths, while in solution-focused intervention, the client actively practices their solutions. In strength-based therapy, various phases are considered, such as making explicit the client’s exciting character strength, envisioning, empowering, and evolving. In solution-focused therapy, the main phases include goal identification, goal application, solution building, formulating feedback, and following up. Both interventions aim to solve a problem within a specific period. The challenge that may face the use of strength-based affecting social work practice is the issue of the client’s inability to identify the strength followed by resistance. Also, solution-based intervention’s main challenge in social work practice is its application to complex issues (Corcoran & Pillai, 2009). Social pedagogy’s main agenda is social care and providing an environment encouraging educational development. Large public agencies use social pedagogy, which plays various roles in community social work. In society, it helps combat social exclusion by ensuring those who cannot access education are provided with an environment in which they can conduct their educational development. It also introduces a policy that encourages development in society, for example. The Netherlands introduced a renewal policy integrating community development to improve employment, welfare, environment, and education in deprived areas (Payne, 2015). Unlike other businesses, social entrepreneurship addresses social issues such as environmental issues and poverty. It is essential in social work as it helps address social problems by ensuring that society is provided with an environment where they can sustain themselves and programs that can allow them to generate revenues (Payne, 2015). Application and Case Study To help the client, various steps will be followed to apply a strength-based and solution-focused approach. The first step is ensuring the safety and trust of the client. In strength-based, the moments that the client felt supported and safe in a particular environment are identified to strengthen the client. In a solution-focused approach, the client’s small goals will be set with the help of the social worker to ensure some goals are achieved to gain the trust of the client. This step is followed by identifying resources where personal strengths are identified in strength-based intervention, such as the ability to solve problems comfortably. In solution-focused under the same step, the exception approach can be used where a question such as ‘Can you tell the moment you felt you are in control of your emotions?’ This question avoids focusing on the problem and the solution, allowing the client to develop positive feelings and think of pleasant emotions. This step follows coping approaches and emotional regulation. In strength-based therapy, the coping mechanisms that the client has been using and that have worked successfully are strengthened. Using solution-focused intervention, miracle questions can be asked, such as, ‘If you come back tomorrow and realize all the events of the trauma are gone, what do you think will be different?’ This step is followed by developing relationships and trust, whereas in strength-based intervention, the client’s pleasant past interactions are explored to strengthen future relationships. In solution-focused intervention, the client can be provided with goals that will help achieve social interactions such as conversation. Social construction explains that social and cultural interactions shape individual identities. At the same ti...