Engaging Adolescents in Social Work Services- Techniques and Strategies

Engaging Adolescents in Social Work Services- Techniques and Strategies

To engage Patricia in services, the social worker should embrace the fact that they and Patricia are partners in the management of the predicament. The social worker can assist Patricia by simultaneously focusing on her and the broader environment. This may involve helping Patricia contact people who could help her or try to open a dialogue with her parents (Kelly, Massat & Constable, 2021).

If that does not go well with Patricia, the social worker needs to be calm, listen to Patricia’s venting or grievances, and empathize with her. According to NASW (2013), this helps bridge any gaps and creates a safe space within the relationship. Therefore, Patricia is likely to feel comfortable expressing herself to the social worker, which softens the way to problem-solving.

Moreover, the social worker can remind Patricia that her job is to assist her even when directing her anger at the social worker. The social worker needs to tell the client that they are a team working together. If she gets argumentative and angry and states that she does not want to meet with the social worker, the social worker needs first to listen. According to NASW 2013), sometimes the client simply needs to vent their grievances, and they may not be in the mood to speak a lot at the time of shouting. The social worker can give Patricia some time and get in touch with her again. Constant reminding her that the social worker is there to listen to all that she has to say can create a respectful environment for the two of them (NASW, 2013). The social worker can then encourage them to adhere to specific communication rules that do not entail shouting and profanity to understand each other clearly.

Lastly, understanding Patricia’s view of family and friends or people who can support her would help. The social worker can work with these people to help Patricia feel she has a trusted support system in her situation.

References

Kelly, M. S., Massat, C. R., & Constable, R. (2021). School Social Work: Practice, Policy, and Research, Ninth Edition. New York: Oxford University Press.

NASW (2013). Managing Clients who Present with Anger. https://www.socialworkers.org/assets/secured/documents/practice/

ORDER A PLAGIARISM-FREE PAPER HERE

We’ll write everything from scratch

Patricia is a 17-year-old Caucasian female who was referred to a Social Worker by her probation officer. Patricia was arrested after she and a few friends attempted to rob a neighborhood store, and Patricia was court-ordered to meet with a Social Worker. Patricia has a history of angry outbursts, is defiant, and often argues with authority figures.

Engaging Adolescents in Social Work Services- Techniques and Strategies

Using the readings and the vignette above, submit a paper including the following:

1)In your role as a Social Worker, what techniques would you use to engage Patricia in services?
2)How would you respond if Patricia was argumentative, angry, and stated she didn’t want to meet with you?
3)Please consider any cultural considerations.

Please use the readings to answer the questions in detail. Thank you.