The 9 Social Work
Competencies questions and
answers 2025
1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior - answer Social workers
understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as
well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the
micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of
ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to
those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers
recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and
professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences
and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and
behavior. Social workers understand the profession's history, its mission,
and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social workers also
understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-
professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long
learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure
they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging
forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in social work
practice.
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice - answer Social workers
understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the
human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The
dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple
factors, including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability
and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration
status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex,
sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand
that, as a consequence of difference, a person's life experiences may
include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as
privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms
and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination, and recognize the
extent to which a culture's structures and values, including social,
economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize,
alienate, or create privilege and power.
Competencies questions and
answers 2025
1. Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior - answer Social workers
understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as
well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the
micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of
ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to
those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers
recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and
professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences
and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and
behavior. Social workers understand the profession's history, its mission,
and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social workers also
understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-
professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long
learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure
they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging
forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in social work
practice.
2. Engage Diversity and Difference in Practice - answer Social workers
understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the
human experience and are critical to the formation of identity. The
dimensions of diversity are understood as the intersectionality of multiple
factors, including but not limited to age, class, color, culture, disability
and ability, ethnicity, gender, gender identity and expression, immigration
status, marital status, political ideology, race, religion/spirituality, sex,
sexual orientation, and tribal sovereign status. Social workers understand
that, as a consequence of difference, a person's life experiences may
include oppression, poverty, marginalization, and alienation as well as
privilege, power, and acclaim. Social workers also understand the forms
and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination, and recognize the
extent to which a culture's structures and values, including social,
economic, political, and cultural exclusions, may oppress, marginalize,
alienate, or create privilege and power.
