Walden University Identifying Client Needs Discussion – Description
Return, for a moment, to the idea of noticing. Sensory and observational skills paired with an analytical mind are the basis of social work assessment. And assessment is perhaps the most fundamental of all social work activities. It is a process of gathering pertinent information to answer questions about problems, contributions to problems, and potential strengths and assets. At a program-evaluation or program-planning level, a social worker applies the same thoughtful process used in individual assessment but extends or filters it to answer program-level questions.
As a result of this assessment, social workers often identify client problems that suggest the need for new or more focused services. They might next imagine what an appropriate service or program would look like. In this Discussion, you navigate a similar process of noticing problems, identifying needs, and envisioning a program to support those problems and needs.
TO PREPARE
Review the Learning Resources on focusing an evaluation and on needs assessments.
Consider your field agency, practice, or community setting, and any common client problems, issues, or service gaps you have observed. If you are not currently in a practice setting, you may draw on your past work or practicum experience.
Research and/or brainstorm ideas for programs or services that could address the problems, issues, or gaps.
BY DAY 3
Describe at least one common client problem, issue, or gap in services or programs at your field agency, practice, or community setting. (If you are not currently in a practice setting, you may draw on your past work or practicum experience.)
Specifically, highlight what you see that tells you clients need something more than what the agency, practice, or community setting is offering.
Identify a program that you think is necessary to address the problem, issue, or gap and explain why.
Generate a question that you might ask about your identified need and to whom.
Required Readings
Dudley, J. R. (2020). Social work evaluation: Enhancing what we do (3rd ed.). Oxford University Press.
Chapter 4, “Common Types of Evaluations”
Read “Common Program Evaluations” (pp. 78–89).
Chapter 5, “Focusing an Evaluation” (pp. 96–111)
Chapter 6, “Needs Assessments” (pp. 115–147)
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