Introduction
Evaluation is an integral process in a social work system. It ensures that social work initiatives achieve their intended effects (Cree et al., 2019). Social workers’ assessments are an important way to keep improving what they do to make their services more useful. Evaluation is a key way to improve social work programs and strengthen the communities that these services help. In addition, it can help me learn more about Sandra and her family’s needs to enable them to make more targeted care plans. For example, as a social worker, I would be able to know the effectiveness of interventions used in Sandra Malone’s case. The practice aids everyone, from the client to the social worker who runs the programs (Cree et al., 2019). Therefore, the evaluation uses the skills of quantitative and qualitative techniques to make sure that Sandra receives appropriate interventions.
Moreover, evaluation is for a client’s well-being and a social worker’s competence. It enables Sandra and me to focus more on achieving the set goals (Cree et al., 2019). Through evaluation, an individual can determine how objectives are being reached and when they are not being attained. As a social worker, it is essential to be strategic when finding out how well the client’s intervention plans are working. A psychosocial evaluation considers a client’s mental, physical, and emotional health as a whole. Additionally, it needs information from the patient, which informs a social worker how a client sees their health and ability to live in the community (Cree et al., 2019). Evaluation is important because it offers crucial information informing a client’s care plan and the required changes.
The Measures Selected for The Case and Rationale
As a social worker, I would adopt the bio-psycho-social-spiritual model to measure the degree of care. It is an approach that takes into account how the physical, mental, social, and spiritual parts of a person’s care and well-being affect each other (Kaimal, 2019). For example, the family is seen as beings in relationships, and the problem is seen as something that can disrupt biological relationships and affect all other facets of their relationships. This approach to client care focuses on how the patient’s body and mind interact and how the patient interacts with their physical environment, family, friends, and community members. The model is used in clinical settings, especially when caring for people with life-threatening ailments near the end of their lives.
Additionally, I would use performance measures to determine the effectiveness of the program. It would assist me as a social worker in monitoring and controlling practices. Firstly, I would assess whether Jean is completing his assignment. If he does not, I will apply other interventions to help with the situation. Secondly, I would check whether there are positive changes in Patrick’s physical, social, and emotional development. In addition, data management would play an integral role in measuring performance (Teater, 2019). Data would be collected, analyzed, and insights used to make an informed decision about helping the family. In addition, it would be utilized to refine goals, targets, and standards. As a result, a social worker’s performance measure is an integral process.
The Issues of Meaningfulness, Practicality, and Credibility
I would consider if the interventions and plans used were meaningful to Sandra and the family. My goal would be to offer the family exceptional client-centered services. In addition, the approaches used should be able to help solve the issues experienced by adults and children. For practicality, I would use aspects that promote my engagement with adults and children. For example, I would employ practical tools such as a family map, observation, and goal cards during the interventions to address the issue of practicality. Finally, based on credibility, I would support the operations with evidence when dealing with issues affecting the family. Therefore, programs would be significant to the family, adopt practical tools, and use evidence-based interventions.
When To Measure and Reason
The timing of the measure is integral in the process because it determines the outcome. Based on this, the measurements would come after my interventions have been employed to address the issues of the family. This shows that it would follow the implementation phase of the program (Cree et al., 2019). Furthermore, it is done to determine the effectiveness of the practices applied. For example, an intervention to make Jean would be efficient if he could complete the homework. Measuring the programs after implementation would allow for adjustment to fit the client’s progress. I would measure the performance of the intervention after rolling out the interventions.
The Issues of Efficiency and Effectiveness
There are different issues of efficiency and effectiveness in the social work system. One of the issues is the improper organization of social work activities (Cree et al., 2019). This occurs when a social worker fails to consider developing aspects such as trust with the family before continuing with the program. Another issue is the limited possibilities for a social worker to use rationally available resources (Cree et al., 2019). To achieve the best outcome, it is important to use effective tools. This means that it is not enough to identify the tools, and it is crucial to use resources related to the challenges experienced by the family. Therefore, the effectiveness of a social work system is adversely influenced by not having an appropriate plan and using the wrong interventions.
In social work, particularly in the social services field, the question of how to operate in a way that is both efficient and effective comes up frequently. For example, the tangible resources’ function is frequently restricted to a certain degree (Cree et al., 2019). Similarly, the social worker makes it their mission to guarantee that their client receives the highest possible level of care in every respect. However, there would be moments when another customer may have a more urgent issue, and this may cause the anticipated timeline to become unbalanced. As a result, I would ensure that the interventions are focused on achieving the established outcomes to increase client satisfaction.
The Impediments to Look For
In the case study of a family, the impediment that I would consider is the primary cause of the issues in the family. When things are discussed in family sessions, one of the triggers could be traumatic experiences from the past. In addition, it is essential to maintain a high level of vigilance when interacting with the client and to show consideration for any responses that may result from interactions. Secondly, legislation on privacy would make it illegal for social workers from different agencies to collaborate without first obtaining the client’s permission. Without the prior approval of the other partner, the partners would have access to any information that another person provided. Therefore, some of the barriers to be encountered are the existence of past traumas and data protection policies.
I would have to deal with the client’s right to autonomy. As social workers, it is crucial to allow clients to do whatever it takes to help themselves succeed. However, the problem occurs when the client does not choose the right path to success, which often leads to destruction. For instance, it would be good for a substance-dependent client to go for rehabilitation to address the problem. Unfortunately, this may not happen if a client decides to continue with substance use. In some cases, the client does not commit themselves to the intervention, affecting the program’s efficiency. Therefore, I would utilize my knowledge and skills to make sure that the client effectively uses the principle of autonomy.
The Tools Used in The Process
The evaluation tools to be used are genograms and client surveys. In social work, the purpose of using assessment tools is to give me a full picture of the client and their situation and find a solution. A genogram would be used to get information, understand how relationships work and people behave, help clients understand themselves, do assessments, and show a social worker how to help (Mlotshwa & Mthembu, 2021). For example, with a genogram, I would be able to understand the dynamics of Sandra’s family. A client survey would be used to collect information from the client before and after the implementation phase. This would allow me to determine the intervention’s effectiveness and make changes where necessary.
References
Cree, V., Jain, S., & Hillen, D. P. (2019). Evaluating effectiveness in social work: sharing dilemmas in practice.European Journal of Social Work, 22(4), 599-610.
Kaimal, G. (2019). Adaptive response theory: an evolutionary framework for clinical research in art therapy. Art Therapy, 36(4), 215-219.
Mlotshwa, T., & Mthembu, M. (2021). The use and value of a child assessment tool (CAT) in social work child assessments. Social Work, 57(4), 443-454. Web.
Teater, B. (2019). An introduction to applying social work theories and methods (3rd ed.) McGraw-Hill Education (UK).