What does the intervention phase in social work primarily focus on?

The intervention phase in social work is essential as it centers on implementing the strategies and actions that have been collaboratively agreed upon with the client. During this phase, social workers put the plans into action by utilizing identified resources and techniques aimed at addressing the client’s needs and achieving their goals. This might involve direct support, facilitating access to services, or working with other systems and individuals in the client’s life to foster positive change.

In this context, the other options, while integral to the overall process of social work, do not capture the primary focus of the intervention phase. Formulating goals for the client generally occurs earlier in the process, during the planning phase, where both the social worker and the client outline specific objectives. Collecting the client’s personal history is typically part of the assessment phase, which helps inform the intervention phase but does not itself constitute the direct action being taken. Evaluating the effectiveness of resources is crucial but usually takes place after the intervention has occurred, in the evaluation phase, where outcomes are assessed to determine the success of the strategies implemented. Therefore, the core focus in the intervention phase is on executing the planned actions to facilitate the client's progress.