What is a multifactorial trait

Advocate:In the advocate role, the social worker champions the rights of others with the goal of empowering the client system being served. A social worker in the role of advocate speaks on behalf of clients when others will not listen or when clients are unable to do so. Social workers have a particular responsibility to advocate on behalf of those disempowered by society.Community change agent:A community change agent participates as part of a group or organization seeking to improve or restructure some aspect of community service provision. A change agent, working with others, uses a problem-solving model to identify the problem, solicit community input, and plan for change. A community change agent acts in a coordinated manner to achieve planned change at multiple levels that helps to shift the focus of institutional resources to meet identified goals.Counselor:The role of the professional counselor focuses on improving social functioning. In the role of counselor, the social worker helps client systems articulate their needs, clarify their problems, explore resolution strategies, and applies intervention strategies to develop and expand the capacities of client systems to deal with their problems more effectively. A key function of this role is toempower people by affirming their personal strengths and their capacities to deal with their problems more effectively.Mediator:When dispute resolution is needed in order to accomplish goals, the professional social worker will carry out the role of mediator. In the mediator role, the social worker intervenes in disputes between parties to help them find compromises, reconcile differences, and reach mutually satisfying agreements. The mediator takes a neutral stance among the involved parties.Researcher:In the researcher role, a social worker evaluates practice interventions and with others evaluates program outcomes. The researcher seeks to critically analyze the literature on relevant topics of interest and uses this information to inform practice. A researcher extends and disseminates knowledge, and seeks to enhance the effectiveness of social work practice.BrokerThe social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link a family or person to needed resources. Social work professionalsdo not simply provide information. They also follow
up to be sure the needed resources are attained. This requires knowing resources, eligibility requirements, fees and the location of services.AdvocateIn this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain needed resources by convincing others of the legitimate needs and rights of members of society. Social workers are particularly concerned for those who are vulnerable or are unable to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can occur on the local, county, state or national level. Some social workers are involved in international human rights and advocacy for those in need.Case ManagerCase managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to access those services.Case management is especially important for complex situations and for those who are homeless or elderly, have chronic physical or mental health issues, are disabled, victims of domestic or other violent crimes, or are vulnerable children.EducatorSocialWorkers are often involved in teaching people about resources and how to develop particular skills such as budgeting, the caring discipline of children, effective communication, the meaning of a medical diagnosis, and the prevention of violence.FacilitatorIn this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together for a variety of purposes including community development, self advocacy, political organization, and policy change. Social workers are involved as group therapists and task group leaders.OrganizerSocial Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and action including economic development, union organization, and research and policy specialists.ManagerSocial Workers, because of their expertise in a widevariety of applications, are well suited to work as managers and supervisors in almost any setting. As managers, they are better able to influence policy change and/or development, and to advocate, on a larger scale, for all underprivileged people.