Does a Social Work Degree Predict Practice Orientation? Measuring Strengths-Based Practice Among Child Welfare Workers With the Strengths-Based Practices Inventory–Provider Version

Abstract

Strengths-based practice (SBP) is one of the primary modalities of social work practice. The literature on SBP does not address a standardized tool for measuring SBP or whether receipt of a social work degree is related to practice orientation. We measure SBP with a provider-based Strengths-Based Practices Inventory (SBPI-P) and examine whether a social work degree is associated with a higher level of SBP among 453 child welfare workers. The results indicate that the SBPI-P is a reliable measure of SBP, with three factors-Empowerment, Community-Culture, and Sensitivity-Knowledge-and that receipt of a social work degree is not associated with SBP. We discuss the potential reasons for the results and make recommendations for future research in the measurement of SBP.

Empowerment Potential of Social Work Techniques among Practitioners in Israel and the USA

“…Practitioners who reported having received little or no exposure to empowerment had almost the same views as practitioners who reported having received information about the subject, whether in their basic training and on the job. A similar pattern was noted by Douglas et al [12], who reported that having a social work degree was not associated with strength-based practice, which is closely related to empowerment.…”

“…This is the case despite the fact that individual-level interventions are part and parcel of the work of social workers worldwide, whether in elder care, child welfare and protection, substance abuse, domestic violence, or many other areas of practice. A similar gap was recently noted in research on strength-based practice [12].…”

Child protective workers’ reflections on principles underpinning the assessment of children in need: The case of Estonia

“…In addition, awareness that strengthening a child's family is the most effective way to help them has increased in recent years. In social work literature there has been a great deal of discussion about assessment, mainly based on two paradigms: the traditional deficit-based and the strengthbased assessment (Cohen, 1999;Douglas et al, 2014;Rice and Girvin, 2010). Practitioners have started to challenge the traditional views with the strength-based approach, originating from the resilience and capabilities of individuals.…”

Child Welfare Caseworker Education and Caregiver Behavioral Service Use and Satisfaction With the Caseworker

“…For instance, Perry (2006) found that the performance scores of case managers with a social work degree did not significantly differ from those with other degrees. And, in a multi-state sample of child welfare workers, having a social work degree did not predict a strength based practice approach (Douglas, McCarthy, & Serino, 2014). …”