Guidelines for cultural competence

Question 1

What are the 4 GUIDELINES TO cultural competency?

Answer 1

1) Distinguishing between behaviours indicative of true mental disorder and those that result from oppression and survival
2) Not personalising the suspicions a client may have of your motives
3) Monitoring own actions and to be ready to question one’s beliefs
4) Being aware that clients of different race (especially the minority groups) may consider the social practitioner’s professional credentials as insufficient.

Question 2

Explain “1) Distinguishing between behaviours indicative of true mental disorder and those that result from oppression and survival” IN 4 GUIDELINES TO cultural competency.

*full component name to be remembered

Answer 2

• In working with culturally diverse clients
• important to distinguish between behaviours indicative of a true mental disorder and those that result from oppression and survival
• Client of different race/ethnicity, may not readily self-disclose to you and may engage in behaviours for self- protection.
• A gay client may not openly disclose his or her sexual orientation or issues related to coming out with a straight counsellor, but may show considerable guardedness.
• Important that SSP determines distinction between the behaviour and psychological condition that needs attention as this will be helpful to make correct assessment, course of action and treatment plan.

Question 3

Explain “2) Not personalising the suspicions a client may have of your motives” IN 4 GUIDELINES TO cultural competency.

*full component name to be remembered

Answer 3

• Do not personalize the suspicions a client may have of your motives
• If SSP becomes defensive, feel insulted, or become angry with the client, the effectiveness of the intervention will be seriously diminished.
• SSP should seek to understand the reaction of client. - Will help build rapport between client and worker, as this will develop trust and commitment to work together towards an effective solution plan.

Question 4

Explain 3) Monitoring own actions and to be ready to question one’s beliefs IN 4 GUIDELINES TO cultural competency.

*full component name to be remembered

Answer 4

• SSP should monitor and be aware of their reactions and question their beliefs.
• It is common that most people are victims of their social conditioning and have unintentionally inherited the racial biases of their forebears
• A culturally competent social worker who is willing to question his or her own worldview and standards used to judge normality and abnormality, could have a better understanding and overcome his or her own stereotypes, biases, and assumptions about client who is from other cultural group.

Question 5

Explain “4) Being aware that clients of different race (especially the minority groups) may consider the social practitioner’s professional credentials as insufficient.” IN 4 GUIDELINES TO cultural competency.

• full component name to be remembered
• for case study

Answer 5

• SSP should be aware that their credibility and trustworthiness would at times be tested or questioned
• Evidence of specialised training is less impressive than factors such as authenticity, sincerity, and openness, as these characteristics would be valued more by clients to that of their titles by others.
• Tests of credibility may occur frequently in the interview session, and the onus of responsibility for proving expertness and trustworthiness lies with the social worker.
• This awareness could enhance understanding of client’s actions and help social service professional to respond with attention and care to seek understanding and not be defensive.
• All SSP should aspire to enhance their level of self- awareness, seek knowledge of culture, history and experiences of various clientele groups, and develop culturally appropriate and adaptive interpersonal skills. “Cultural competence” should become a universal value in human services language.