UCLA

This study examined cultural competence in social work practice. The heart of the social work profession lies in advocacy for the enhanced quality of life for all individuals, groups, and communities, regardless of their cultural background. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and the Council of Social Work Education (CSWE) mandate that social workers recognize their ethical responsibility for cultural competence. However, because of social work’s comprehensive clientele, combined with humanity’s extensive list of intersecting backgrounds, the very essence of cultural competence comprises fundamental complications in its overall conceptualization and application of theory to practice.

The purpose of this study was to explore the ways in which newly employed social workers conceptualized cultural competence, considered their Master in Social Work/Welfare (MSW) programs as preparing them for cultural competence development, and experienced challenges regarding preparedness in cultural competence practice. The sample comprised of 20 participants. Participants were required to be recent graduates from an accredited CSWE MSW program and newly employed in the field of social welfare. Through qualitative research methods, I conducted individual semi-structured interviews and one focus group. The goal of this study was to better understand the complexities of social workers’ conceptualization, experiences, and challenges in cultural competence relative to the knowledge and skills gained through their MSW programs.

The findings for this study emphasized the multifaceted nature of cultural competence and highlighted how its complexities—in its conceptualization, mandate, and expectations—preemptively created barriers in participants’ pursuit to empower their clients. The inherent paradoxical nature of cultural competence allowed participants to embrace their approach with an understanding of the role of respect for their clients’ diversity. With regard to preparation, the findings suggest the need for beginning social workers to be challenged in their cultural competence and self-awareness development—whether through their MSW curriculum or facilitation of the MSW faculty—as an indicator of success. In consideration of the ways in which clients’ and social workers’ culture plays a role when providing effective services, my findings demonstrate various complexities, such as the realm of familiarity or the manifestation of prejudice or discrimination in actualized practice.