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LETTING THE CLIENT SET THE AGENDA
1. When a client comes for help, it is very important to
be sure that the worker listens and responds to the reason that led the person to come. The worker
is often tempted not to respond:
-the worker may see some larger issue behind the presenting problem,
and wants to focus on that
-the worker may have her own interests that she wants to explore with the
client
-the agency may be pushing a particular agenda
-the client may be confused, easily forgetting the "most important
thing"
when first confronting a social agency
2. It is also true that sometimes important issues underlie a client's request.
These should be acknowledged, and the client should be invited to discuss
them. But if the client chooses not to, that choice should be supported. It is
important not to get into a tug of war with the client over such an issue. This
would only further delay the actual discussion of the issue.
3. Perhaps the client does not yet trust the worker enough to deal with more far-reaching issues. Help her with her problem as she understands it, and then
see if she will allow the other issues to be addressed.
4. In some types of agencies, the client is not allowed to set the agenda; the
agency clearly tells the client what is important and what must be done. These organizations range from highly controlling agencies, such as prisons or
probation and parole, to somewhat controlling ones, such as schools. A skillful worker in these settings will still be alert to identify the individual needs of
each client, and try to respond to them in ways that do not undercut the mission
of the agency. Usually within the fixed rules of the agency there are openings for individual achievement and constructive expressions of individuality.
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