As we are Social Worker working with community we always faced a lot of problem related with
social welfare, economic… To do support them how to solve the problem faced by the community members follow the six steps of problem solving which I would like to share as following: STEP 1: DEFINE THE PROBLEM IN TERMS OF NEEDS (NOT SOLUTIONS)
- What is the need person/group has?- Ask questions to get more information.
- Listen, reflect and restate to be sure everyone understands the need.
- Is the self-help group the right place to discuss this need?
- Will meeting this need solve all or part of the person’s problem?
- Are there other needs that are more important or a higher priority?
- Is this a one-time need or a recurring need?
- Does anyone else in the group have this need/problem?
STEP 2: BRAINSTORM POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
- Try to think of as many possible ways to meet the need.
- Don’t evaluate or criticize the suggestions during this step. This is very important.
- Don’t connect a group members name with a suggestion.
- Add to or combine suggestion already made.
- Suggest they have worked for them or other in the past or that they have heard about.
- Ask group members to ask other people in the village or outside resource people for ideas and bring them back to the next meeting.
- Write down all suggestions made
STEP 3: SELECT THE SOLUTION OR SOLUTIONS THAT WILL BEST MEET THE NEED OF THE GROUP/INDIVIDUAL.
- Ask members if they need clarification about a solution (but don’t evaluate the solution).
- Start the discussion by asking which solutions the person/group thinks might work best for them.
- Keep the discussion positive by talking about why a solution might be good rather than why it is bad.
- Allow those who have the “need,” or will be affected by the choice, to select the solution/solutions that are best for them.
- Once a solution has been chosen, try to think about the positive and negative and negative consequences of that solution.
- Try a different solution if there are unacceptable negative consequences.
STEP 3: PLAN WHO WILL DO WHAT, WHERE AND BY WHAT TIME.
- Identify what need to do to carry-out the solution. It is helpful to list what need to be done first, second, third, etc.
- Identify who will do the tasks.
- Identify where the tasks will be carried out.
- Identify when each step will be taken.
- Write down the step will be taken.
- Write down the plan.
STEP 4: PLAN WHO WILL DO WHAT, WHERE AND BY WHAT TIME.
- Identify what need to do done to carry out the solution. It is helpful to list what need to be done first, second, third, etc.
- Identify who will do the tasks.
- Identify where the tasks will be carried out.
- Identify when each step will be taken.
- Write down the step will be taken.
- Write down the plan.
STEP 5: IMPLEMENT THE PLAN
- The individual/group commits to carrying out the plan
- Start taking the actions in the plan.
- Set a date to review how the plan is working.
STEP 6: EVALUATE THE PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS AND LATER HOW WALL THE SOLUTION TURNED OUT.
- After committing to the plan, ask members if they are satisfied with the problem solving process.
Did they get to say what they wanted?
Did others listen to them?
Did they feel they had a choice in the solution, if it affects them?
What did they like or dislike about the process?
Is there anything that is worrying them about the process?
- On the date decided, review how the plan is working.
Is the plan meeting the need person or group has?
Is the plan being followed?
Is there something that needs to be changed or corrected?
Does the group need to choose a different solution?
What was learned from trying to implement this plan?
In general this problem solving process is the common strategy to help the person who face the problem and as we are Social Worker just facilitate them to find the better strategy to help themselves.
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