Emmanuel Janagan Johnson - Social Casework Methodology: A Skills Handbook for the Caribbean Human Services Worker

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Working in the Caribbean for the past few years, it was striking how different the environment was from other countries and how it altered the prescribed approach when working with clients. Professional practice encircles a diverse range of casework methods including direct work with individuals, families, groups, communities, and policy work on a macro level, to achieve the betterment of all individuals. The International Federation of Social Worker (2001) defines the purpose of professional social work as the promotion of social change, problem-solving in human relationships, and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Those working and advocating for people seek to improve the interaction between people and their social environments by facilitating change on multiple levels, including personal change, change in families, groups, communities, formal institutions, and the societal systems that impact a person in each of these areas. The ability to be equipped with a broad range of knowledge, method, and skills that enable the social service worker to intervene effectively in the various systems in order to influence and impact individuals is essential.

The social casework method has many benefits in providing a solid foundation with a broad range of practice methods. These benefits include a vast yet specific set of skills that enables the social service worker to respond with more flexibility and creatively with clients and communities. A diverse set of skills enables better cooperation among social workers as it enhances our appreciation of the value of different practice approaches offered by agencies and practitioners. For example, with the multiple levels of skills, a social service worker working in an agency can appreciate how the interventions offered by a community level worker may be beneficial to clients entering an agency or a community agency. Similarly, a community worker with knowledge of casework methods is well positioned to identify when a community member may benefit from other kinds of casework or group work interventions. The capacity to articulate the value and practice of a diverse practical yet professional base can also help the social service worker become more polished and professional.

Why the Caribbean? Oftentimes people describe the Caribbean as paradise, with crystal blue waters and specular beaches. So what social problems do these 30 tiny island states have that we must consider as detrimental. What is often overlooked is how complex the Caribbean truly is with residents who have either migrated there voluntarily or were brought to these islands due to slavery or indentureship, hundreds of years ago. There is a history of slavery, emancipation, failed attempts at emancipation, as well as the eradication of indigenous people.

To say the least, the Caribbean has a sordid past with people presently suffering from the remnants of this history. These Caribbean islands have thousands of people who are vulnerable (e.g., poverty, lack of education) and is in need of professional assistance in order to effect social change. Social service workers must be able to speak and understand various languages (e.g., Spanish, English, French, Dutch). They must be culturally humble enough to interact with various cultures and religions (e.g., Hindu, Muslim, Arawak Indians). They must be able to differentiate the definition of various social justice terms in diverse cultures such as Does equality mean the same in an indigenous peoples village as it does in a large city? Does empowerment translate in patriarchal homes as opposed to matriarchal focal homes? Lastly, the social service worker must be flexible and build true trust with their clients, where the client is actively participating in the process along with the worker. This is sometimes an untenable task in the Caribbean, where some people lack autonomy due to years of oppressive structural practices.

Social casework method encapsulates diverse and multiple methods that a social service worker must have available, but it does not mean all these methods will be used at the same time. Every social service worker should have some level of specialization in the field and understand a method in order to respond in an increasingly complex practice. Specifically, if you are a social service worker that works in agencies of mental health, child protection, or homeless services. The worker should have a detailed knowledge of matters such as indicators of risk, signs of strength, and evidence of best practices with their specific field. There is also a need for operational specialists in a wide variety of fields of practice. These specialists commit significant proportions of work to develop a deep understanding of the casework method. The term casework method appears simple but it is an intricate set of practices to help the worker attune themselves to the client, build trust, develop a working relationship, set goals, and carry through with interventions.