Work Within a Community Development Framework Flashcards
Why do community development workers use interpersonal skills?
- collaborate
- advocate for others
- assess if their issues are public or private
Community
A group of people with a shared interest, characteristic or location
Mission statement
A longer statement that addresses how the organisation aims to achieve their vision whilst acknowledging their values and principles
Vision statement
A single statement that clearly defines what an organisation sets out to achieve
Community development framework
- empowering communities to get involved in meeting their own needs and priorities within the community
Types of sustainability
environmental - reducing energy consumed, recycling
economic - financial resources available to keep development running eg. pay for needed staff
social - creating structures to address community needs now and in the future
workforce - attracting and retaining the right people to be involved in development eg. staff engaged and respected
Principles of community development
- structural disadvantage and inequality
- social justice and human rights
- empowerment
- recognition of personal and public political processes
- commitment to people’s participation
- sustainability
Structural disadvantage and inequality
individuals or groups within the community are disadvantaged, isolated or excluding from accessing services or facilities within their community ie. age, gender
Social justice and human rights
freedom and fairness that everyone is entitled to
Empowerment
about giving people the skills and confidence to make their own decisions and take control of their lives
How can a community worker help to empower community members?
- being supportive
- valuing their ideas, opinions and perspectives
- refraining from judgement
Recognition of personal and public political processes
(personal) adding a human element by advocating for a cause by sharing experiences on a small scale ie. sign a petition
(political) increasing awareness on a public scale ie. involving media, sit ins
Commitment to people’s participation
find people within the community who are passionate and committed to spending the time needed to make change
Sustainability
brings about permanent change for the future where community members have a willingness to continue developing after the community workers and government support have moved onto their next community development project
How can you create a thriving community development program?
- identify the community’s needs through research and a needs analysis
- choose a suitable work model
- establish connections and partnerships with local organisations and community leaders
- design and implement the program
- evaluate and monitor
Traditional development approaches
government identifies issues in a community that do not actively involve the community members, failing to empower them
- needs based approach
- gap based approach
Needs-based approach
a government agency identifies a specific need within a community and provides whatever is needed to address problem eg. resources. grants
Gap-based approach
focuses on the gaps perceived to be in the community eg. lack of resources, accessibility
Contemporary community development approaches
bringing together all available resources, people and agencies to achieve sustainable development
- asset based development (ABCD)
- rights based development
Asset-based community development (ABCD)
involves assessing and building on the assets and strengths of a community by identifying their needs
Split into three categories:
- people/ practices
- local institutions
- businesses and physical resources
Rights-based community development
an approach that ensures that the human rights of all members of the community are upheld
- involves two stakeholders: community members whose rights are not maintained and duty holders that is the agency responsible for upholding rights
Rights-based community development PANEL
- participation: everyone has the right to be involved irrespective of their individual needs eg. age, gender
- accountability: duty holders must be accountable for upholding human rights
- non-discrimination and equality: marginalisation in any form is unacceptable and a violation of human rights
- empowerment: everyone has the right to question and fight for their rights and freedom
- legality: recognises that human rights and freedom are legal requirements and enforceable by law
As a community worker how can you empower someone?
- be supportive
- refrain from judgement
- valuing their ideas
How should community workers work with communities to achieve their priorities?
- enhancing skills
- accessing appropriate support
- working with others in the community who share the same concerns
How can priorities be documented?
meeting minutes
Why might a priority be unrealistic?
- economic: is achieving the priority too expensive? Is there funding?
- political: is there a law that stops the priority from being achieved?
- social: does the community have the skills to take action?
Private issues
affect one person eg. mental health, addiction
Public issues
affect the whole community eg. lack of facilities/ services like childcare, maternal health, access to public transport
What interpersonal skills can a community worker use to identify if the issues are public or private?
- active listening
- appropriate questioning techniques (open and closed questions)
- paraphrasing
- summarise and clarify
- reflect on feelings
- appropriate non-verbal communication (posture, gestures, facial expressions, eye-contact)
- appropriate verbal communication (take your time, tone, speed)
What is public action and when is it needed?
assure them they are not alone and that sharing their story could help others in the community and bring about change
What is a referral and when is it needed?
when an individual’s issues affect themselves and not the community
What do you need to consider when referring someone?
- location
- special needs
- preferences
- budget
How can a community worker assist someone to take public action?
- encourage them to be part of the bigger picture
- assist with language needs
- ensure that they are prepared for questions they may be asked
As a community worker how can you reflect duty of care?
your legal obligation to take reasonable care and responsibility to foresee andy possible dangers that may harm the person in your care
Why is research important in terms of community development outcomes?
able to know the community’s demographics, age, language and major issues in order to understand their priorities
What are two ways you can analyse a community’s needs?
community profile - a snapshot of community eg. resources, facilities, residents
needs analysis - find community needs, identify barriers
How can you collect data?
- interviews
- focus group
- open community forum
What are factors that affect group dynamics?
- group development
- group norms
- roles in the group
- intergroup conflict
How can you manage group dynamics?
- needs of participants eg. interpreter
- communication eg. verbal and non-verbal
- respect
- trust eg. open and closed communication
- decision-making
- conflict resolution eg. win-win outcome
- facilitate discussions
Engagement strategies
- meaningful
- inclusive
- organised
How to review work practices?
- formal feedback eg. survey
- informal feedback eg. look at number of people in program
- self-reflection methods eg. diary, mentors
Reasons to modify work practices
- difficulty engaging members
- lack of participation
- difficulty establishing connections
How to modify work practices?
- seek professional development
- training
- coaching and mentoring
How does modifying work practices benefit mentees, mentors and organisations?
Mentees:
- new skills
- new knowledge
- confidence
Mentors:
- new coaching skills
satisfaction
Organisation:
- save money
- productivity
What data can you obtain from a community?
- Can learn the most about a community by talking to residents
- data: age structure, income, unemployment, disability
Steps for collating data
- list all needs in a tally to identify highest priority
- prevalence of need
- level of severity
- are needs confined or affect a large segment?
- brainstorm potential interventions and solutions
Purpose of documentation
Ensures discussions, ideas and progress eg. minutes, requests for funding, timelines
Plan appropriate strategies (SMART)
Specific - make goal precise
Measurable - set targets to keep on track
Attainable - goal must be achievable
Realistic - goals that are practical and can be achieved
Timely - goals should have a timeframe assigned
Action plan
a document that outlines the steps that need to be taken to achieve the goal
1. community issue
2. goals
3. resources available
4. specific timeframes and participant roles
5. evaluation
SWOT analysis
a tool for analysing a situation
- Strengths and Weaknesses are internal factors
- Opportunities and Threats are external factors
Provide advice and information
- legislation that may impact projects
- council and government processes
- strategies for changes in community
Public response
a community worker assists the community in achieving their goals an addressing their needs
Group action
community members work together to bring about change
Why are priorities and rights known as interrelated?
Priorities are what the community needs to focus on in order to change on a minor scale.
On a macro scale, the community’s human rights must be maintained and looked after.
What are the two techniques for dealing with an ongoing issue?
- SWOT analysis
- action plan
What are two ways you can support community outcomes?
advocating - support the community by giving a voice to others
lobbying - petitioning ad persuading authorities to support change
