THE STRENGTHS-BASED APPROACH: OVERVIEW OF THE BASIC PRINCIPLES

Abstract

At the end of the 20th century, a strengths-based approach became widespread in the international practice of social work. It is used in practical work with clients, in the supervision of social workers, to ensure the quality of the social services provision in the organization. The objective of this paper is to determine the ethical basis of the strengths-based approach and to characterize the principles of this approach in practical social work with clients. The study was conducted within the interpretive paradigm and used a qualitative content analysis of 28 academic publications. It was determined that the strengths-based approach is considered an alternative and a challenge to traditional problem-oriented and deficient social work practices. Interventions based on this approach build on clients’ strengths and resources, but also address weaknesses. The focus of attention is on the desired outcome of the client, who is seen as an expert in his own life situation, and the interaction in the intervention process is focused on cooperation and partnership. Features of a strengths-based approach identified by Rapp, Saleebey and Sullivan (2008), Oliver (2014) and other researchers are considered. The principles of the client strengths approach, proposed by Hammond (2010), were analyzed. The conducted analysis provides grounds for the assertion that a strengths-based approach belongs to client-centered perspectives that recognize the client’s right to participation and self-determination, independent choice in the intervention process. It is based on the fundamental belief that social work is collaboration between social workers and clients, and the latter should be considered as co-producers of social support. At the same time, the academic literature evidences various ethical dilemmas and ethical conflicts caused by the need for the social worker to take into account the expertise of the client.