Interview techniques

Interviewing techniques are essential in social work as it is the method by which data is collected and obtained from clients. In order to identify the needs of clients and the areas in which the social worker can provide support, it is vital that social workers have strong interviewing skills. The interview process allows the social worker to develop a relationship with the client which in turn can allow for open and engaging communication between the social worker and their clients. Knowledge and understanding of the skills required for a successful interview and working relationship with clients is necessary. Beginning an interview: o Empathy. o Interpersonal dynamics. o Recognition of non-verbal behaviour and proximity. Communication patterns, paying attention and listening Paraphrasing Clarification Summarising Providing a comfortable environment: Ask open-ended questions. Open-ended questions allow for a full and spontaneous response, not just a yes or no. They encourage communication of thoughts and feelings. Closed questions allow for directed responses, so the interview can be shorter. Closed questions usually only allow for yes or no answers. o Practice active listening. o Reflect and Interpret. o Build rapport with the client. Preparation: Know your material and define your own comfort level. Pre.pare your space for the interview. Clear your table of confidential or private information, such as other cases or information about other cases. Clarify the purpose of the interview, such as determining eligibility for assistance. Review the application questions and answers before the interview, if possible. Have all necessary documentation and forms on hand for the interview. For example, since clients often do not submit all required evidence with the application, you will most likely need a verification request form. Clear your mind. Pre.pare to give the client your full attention. They may be nervous or new to the agency. Think calmly about what you will need to do during the interview. Preparing ahead of time will eliminate stress and anxiety. Don't rely on your memory to remember their answers. Use the CAF and the CAF Interview Reference Guide during the interview to document information. Introduction and Greeting: Don't keep the client waiting. Greet the client as you would like to be greeted if you were asking for assistance. Introduce yourself. Ask them how they would like to be addressed and continue to address them that way throughout the interview. (Name, title, etc.) This is your first opportunity to set the direction of the interview; make good use of it. Welcome the client to the interview area and outline the objectives to be achieved during the interview. Ensure the privacy of the interview to the extent possible.

Purpose of the interview: Establish the client's needs and wants. Ease any discomfort or concerns the client may have. Describe to the client what will happen during the interview.

Tell the client how much time you will need to successfully complete the interview. Explain confidentiality and client responsibility in detail. Make sure the client understands both. Inform the client that you will answer his or her questions and provide information about available programs and services.

Clarification: Make sure the client understands what you are saying and that you understand what the client is saying. Avoid jargon, terminology, and acronyms unless you define them for the client. Formulate your questions well. As stated above, ask open-ended questions. Avoid questions that can be answered with a yes or no. Rephrase the question if it is not clear. For example: The application asks the customer to state their race and ethnicity. For some, the answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems on the application. Clarification: You can ask the customer to describe their racial and ethnic background in their own words. By gathering information in the customer's own words, you can determine the best way to answer these questions. Listen to the customer's response. Don't assume too much. Don't be afraid to ask questions or make statements to clarify the information. When something doesn't make sense, ask for an explanation. Provide information: Describe the request. Be pre.pared to explain why some questions are asked on applications even though they do not affect eligibility for public assistance programs, such as race, ethnicity, last course completed, which are used for statistical purposes, or for federal reporting/funding requirements. Explain in detail the program's policies and procedures. Provide information about other available resources. Conclusion: Review what you and the client need to d.o and what happens next. If you are requesting verifications, use forms DHS-2919A and B, or DHS-3271 for health care applicants. Tell your clients where they can contact you. Provide your name, office phone number, hours of operation, and protected time in case they have follow-up questions. Allow clients to ask final questions. Give them the opportunity to add comments if they feel it is necessary. End on a pleasant note and escort the customer to the exit.

Purpose of the interview: Establish the client's needs and wants. Ease any discomfort or concerns the client may have. Describe to the client what will happen during the interview.

Tell the client how much time you will need to successfully complete the interview. Explain confidentiality and client responsibility in detail. Make sure the client understands both. Inform the client that you will answer his or her questions and provide information about available programs and services.

Clarification: Make sure the client understands what you are saying and that you understand what the client is saying. Avoid jargon, terminology, and acronyms unless you define them for the client. Formulate your questions well. As stated above, ask open-ended questions. Avoid questions that can be answered with a yes or no. Rephrase the question if it is not clear. For example: The application asks the customer to state their race and ethnicity. For some, the answer to this question is not as straightforward as it seems on the application. Clarification: You can ask the customer to describe their racial and ethnic background in their own words. By gathering information in the customer's own words, you can determine the best way to answer these questions. Listen to the customer's response. Don't assume too much. Don't be afraid to ask questions or make statements to clarify the information. When something doesn't make sense, ask for an explanation. Provide information: Describe the request. Be pre.pared to explain why some questions are asked on applications even though they do not affect eligibility for public assistance programs, such as race, ethnicity, last course completed, which are used for statistical purposes, or for federal reporting/funding requirements. Explain in detail the program's policies and procedures. Provide information about other available resources. Conclusion: Review what you and the client need to d.o and what happens next. If you are requesting verifications, use forms DHS-2919A and B, or DHS-3271 for health care applicants. Tell your clients where they can contact you. Provide your name, office phone number, hours of operation, and protected time in case they have follow-up questions. Allow clients to ask final questions. Give them the opportunity to add comments if they feel it is necessary. End on a pleasant note and escort the client out. Required Verifications: All programs require verification of certain information. All three handbooks have chapters that tell you the types of verifications that are required to determine eligibility. Some evidence is one-time submission, meaning the client provides it only once, usually at the initial application. The evidence is retained for the life of the case so the client does not have to resubmit it. Other evidence must be obtained to update case information at renewal time or when circumstances change. Typically, this evidence can be kept in the case file for three years.

Referencias

Berg-Weger, M., Adams, D., & Birkenmaier, J. (2020). The practice of generalist social work. Taylor & Francis Group. https://go.exlibris.link/tkcJGKW7 Okoli, R., Ugwu, C., & Ebimgbo, S. (2009). Interviewing and Counseling as Social Work Tools. Social work in Nigeria: Book of readings, 70- 83. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/330926635

Instructions: Elaborate a hypothetical structured interview using the strategies discussed in the previous text. The interview will serve as a script to record the fictitious interview, which can be an initial interview or a session with a client. Demonstrate the importance of empathy, interpersonal dynamics, and recognition of nonverbal and proximity as an experienced clinical social worker. Also demonstrate the importance of communication patterns, paying attention and listening to the client. The importance of using paraphrasing, clarification, and summarizing in social work interviews.