Social Work Helping Process: INTERVENTION

INTERVENTION

• social work literature has many other terms for intervention: action, plan implementation, treatment
• concerned with the action that would solve the client's problems
• focus will be on the worker's activity
• involves rendering of all the specific and interrelated services appropriate to the given problem situation in the light of the assessment and planning

Interventive Roles in Direct Practice

• interventive roles refer to the composite of activities or tasks that she is expected to undertake in order to accomplish the goals agreed upon with the client

Resource Provider

• engages the worker in the direct provision of material aid and other concrete resources that will be useful in eliminating or reducing situational deficiencies 
• concrete resources are mobilized, created and directly provided to the client who is assisted in making optimal use of them

Social Broker

• involves the process of negotiating the "service jungle" for the clients, whether singly or in groups
• worker links or connects the client to needed services in the community
• worker must ensure rapid service delivery
• worker has to match client needs with the community resources outside of her agency and assist the client to make use of these resources

Mediator

• acts as an intermediary or conciliator between two persons or sides
• worker has to engage in efforts that will resolve disputes between the client system and the other parties
• objective is to find a common ground which will make it possible to resolve the dispute

Advocate

• the worker has to take a partisan interest in the client and his cause
• worker will argue, debate, bargain, negotiate and manipulate the environment on behalf of the client

Enabler 

• helps clients find the coping strengths and resource within themselves
• worker's responsibility is to perform a supporting and empowering function so as to enable client's accomplishment of a defined change

Counselor/Therapist

• goal of worker is the restoration, maintenance, or enhancement of the client's capacity to adapt or adjust to his current reality

Limitations on Worker Activity

1. Time
2. Skill
3. Ethics
4. Agency Function

Reference:
Lee-Mendoza, T. (2008) Social Welfare and Social Work. Central Book Supply