How do you balance helping and enabling in social work?

1 Define your role

Your role as a social worker is to provide support, guidance, and advocacy for your clients, not to solve their problems for them. You are not their parent, friend, or therapist, but a professional who respects their autonomy and dignity. You should clarify your role and expectations with your clients from the start, and review them regularly. You should also set boundaries and limits on what you can and cannot do, and communicate them clearly and consistently.

2 Empower your clients

Your clients are the experts of their own lives, and they have the potential to change and grow. Your job is to empower them to tap into their strengths and resources, and to facilitate their self-determination and participation. You can do this by using strengths-based and client-centered approaches, such as motivational interviewing, solution-focused therapy, and collaborative goal-setting. You can also help your clients access relevant information, services, and networks, and support them in making informed decisions and taking action.

3 Monitor your emotions

Helping others can be rewarding, but also emotionally draining. You may feel frustrated, guilty, or anxious when your clients do not follow your advice, make mistakes, or face setbacks. You may also feel attached, responsible, or protective of your clients, and want to rescue them from their difficulties. These emotions can cloud your judgment and interfere with your professional boundaries. You need to monitor your emotions and practice self-care and supervision. You also need to acknowledge your limitations and accept that you cannot control or fix everything.

4 Seek feedback and reflection

Balancing helping and enabling in social work is not always easy or clear-cut. You may encounter ethical dilemmas, complex situations, or conflicting expectations. You may also have your own biases, assumptions, or values that influence your practice. You need to seek feedback and reflection from your clients, colleagues, supervisors, and mentors. You need to be open to learning, questioning, and improving your skills and knowledge. You also need to be honest, humble, and accountable for your actions and outcomes.

5 Respect diversity and difference

Your clients come from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, and they have different needs, preferences, and goals. You need to respect their diversity and difference, and avoid imposing your own views, beliefs, or values on them. You need to be culturally competent, sensitive, and responsive, and adapt your practice to the context and situation of your clients. You also need to acknowledge and address any power imbalances, oppression, or discrimination that may affect your clients or your relationship with them.

6 Evaluate your impact

The ultimate aim of your social work practice is to help your clients improve their well-being and quality of life. You need to evaluate your impact and effectiveness regularly, and measure your progress and outcomes. You can use various tools and methods, such as feedback forms, outcome scales, case reviews, and action research. You can also involve your clients in the evaluation process, and ask them for their opinions, suggestions, and feedback. You can use the evaluation results to celebrate your achievements, identify your challenges, and plan your next steps.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?