Strengths-based approach in social work: A distinct ethical advantage

Abstract

The Author believe that social work and human services professionals can see great outcomes when they work with the inherent strengths of individuals, family groups and organisations. Whenever we assist people in their recovery and their empowerment, our commitment to build on these inherent strengths goes a long way. In all humility this is about a way of asking the client three simple but pertinent questions: ‘What has worked for you before? What does not work for you? And what might work in the present situation for you?’ These three questions will allow facilitators and clients to make important changes in the processes and goals of engagement that will see through a variety of changes; as workers we are often wonderstruck as, with every change, clients seem to blossom. People pick up their bits and pieces and reconstruct hope for the future. In this paper the author will describe this approach in social work and expand on its assumptions and its core elements.