Generalist Practice

BPD defines generalist social work practice as follows: Generalist social work practitioners work with individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations in a variety of social work and host settings. Generalist practitioners view clients and client systems from a strengths perspective in order to recognize, support, and build upon the innate capabilities of all human beings. They use a professional problem solving process to engage, assess, broker services, advocate, counsel, educate, and organize with and on behalf of client and client systems.  In addition, generalist practitioners engage in community and organizational development.  Finally, generalist practitioners evaluate service outcomes in order to continually improve the provision and quality of services most appropriate to client needs.

Generalist social work practice is guided by the NASW Code of Ethics and is committed to improving the well being of individuals, families, groups, communities and organizations and furthering the goals of social justice.

Discussed and advanced by the BPD Social Work Continuum Committee and approved by the Board of Directors, 2006

The Mission of Social Work

BPD embraces the definition of the mission of the social work profession put forth by the National Association of Social Work (NASW). 

The primary mission of the social work profession is to enhance human well-being and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.” The mission of the social work profession is rooted in a set of core values that includes

• Service
• Social Justice
• Dignity and Worth of the Person
• Importance of Human Relationships
• Integrity 
• Competence

(NASW web page, 2005).