Social Work Power: Understanding Authority and Influence in Practice

Power in social work refers to the ability of social workers to influence individuals, communities, and policies to bring about positive change. It can manifest in different ways, including legitimate authority, expertise, advocacy, and relational influence.

1. Social Work Power: Understanding Authority and Influence in Practice

2. Power in social work refers to the ability of social workers to influence individuals, communities, and policies to bring about positive change. It can manifest in different ways, including legitimate authority , expertise , advocacy , and relational influence .

3. Types of Power in Social Work: Legitimate Power – Derived from a social worker’s professional role and credentials (e.g., case manager, policy advocate). Expert Power – Based on specialized knowledge, skills, and competencies in addressing social issues. Referent Power – Stemming from trust, rapport, and the ability to inspire and empower clients. Coercive Power – The ability to enforce consequences, though ethical social work limits its use. Reward Power – The ability to provide access to resources, services, and opportunities.

4. Empowerment and Ethical Use of Power: Social workers must use power ethically to empower individuals and communities rather than control them. This aligns with core social work values, such as self-determination, social justice, and human dignity . Challenges in Power Dynamics: Structural Inequality – Power imbalances exist in systems (e.g., welfare, healthcare). Client Autonomy vs. Authority – Balancing professional authority while respecting client choices. Advocacy vs. Bureaucracy – Navigating institutional barriers while fighting for clients' rights.