mental health social worker

Enable individuals, families, groups and communities to gain more control over their lives and environment, either by themselves or with the help of others.

Assess, plan, facilitate, coordinate, and advocate for options and services on behalf of a person.

Speak for and on behalf of service users, using communicative skills and knowledge of relevant fields to assist those less advantaged.

Supporting client`s rights to control his or her life, making informed choices about the services they receive, respecting and, where appropriate, promoting the individual views and wishes of both the client and his or her caregivers.

Understand safeguarding and what should be done in cases of actual or potential harm or abuse.

Negotiate with government institutions, other social workers, family and caregivers, employers, landlords, or landladies to obtain the most suitable result for your client.

Evaluate the needs of individuals in relation to their care, involve families or carers in supporting the development and implementation of support plans. Ensure review and monitoring of these plans.

Evaluate the different aspects of development needs of children and young people.

Assess the social situation of service users situation balancing curiosity and respect in the dialogue, considering their families, organisations and communities and the associated risks and identifying the needs and resources, in order to meet physical, emotional and social needs.

Assess the condition of an older patient and decide if he or she needs assistance in taking care of him- or herself to eat or to bathe and in meeting his/hers social and psychological needs.

Act according to the political, social and cultural contexts of social service users, considering the impact of certain actions on their social well being.

Practice social care and social work in a lawful, safe and effective way according to standards.

Apply social work ethical principles to guide practice and manage complex ethical issues, dilemmas and conflicts in accordance to occupational conduct, the ontology and the code of ethics of the social services occupations, engaging in ethical decision making by applying standards of national and, as applicable, international codes of ethics or statements of principles.

Adhere to organisational or department specific standards and guidelines. Understand the motives of the organisation and the common agreements and act accordingly.

Work in accordance with management and organisational principles and values focusing on human rights and social justice.

Promote and respect diversity, and advocate for equal treatment of genders, ethnicities and minority groups in organisations in order to prevent discrimination and ensure inclusion and a positive environment.

Strive to provide the appropriate services to social work clients while staying within a professional framework, understanding what the work means in relation to other professionals and taking into account the specific needs of your clients.

Communicate professionally and cooperate with members of the other professions in the health and social services sector.

Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.

Cooperate with people in other sectors in relation to social service work.

Develop a collaborative helping relationship, addressing any ruptures or strains in the relationship, fostering bonding and gaining service users` trust and cooperation through empathic listening, caring, warmth and authenticity.

Use clinical reasoning techniques and clinical judgement when applying a range of appropriate assessment techniques, such as mental status assessment, diagnosis, dynamic formulation, and potential treatment planning.

Recognise and critically evaluate any possible mental health/illness issues.

Recognise and diagnose the common medical, neurologic and primary psychiatric symptoms such as delirium, dementia, violent episodes, self-injurious behavior, etc.

Take the lead in the practical handling of social work cases and activities.

Maintain a temperate mental state and effective performance under pressure or adverse circumstances.

Cope with sources of stress and cross-pressure in one's own professional life, such as occupational, managerial, institutional and personal stress, and help others do the same so as to promote the well-being of your colleagues and avoid burn-out.

Assist and guide social service users to resolve personal, social or psychological problems and difficulties.

Identify, respond and motivate individuals in social crisis situations, in a timely manner, making use of all resources.

Establish social projects aimed at community development and active citizen participation.

Deliver services which are mindful of different cultural and language traditions, showing respect and validation for communities and being consistent with policies regarding human rights and equality and diversity.