A client is an individual who seeks professional help from a social agency or institution. Clients must have a strong drive and desire for them to accomplish their purpose. Motivation, capacity, and opportunity are essential in understanding the client’s strengths and weaknesses.
Motivation is the process that inspires a client to take any action after setting a goal that needs to be met. Capacity involves the relationship between the client and the social worker, the need to change, and the client’s financial capabilities. Capacity will determine how the client will change after interacting with the social worker. Opportunity refers to the ability of resources to support change in the client and the environment subjected to the client.
Capacity
Capacity is a crucial element in understanding a client. Clients who form healthy relationships between themselves and the social workers or the community are in a position to change quickly. Social workers should understand their client’s moods and attitudes well to have a quick solution.
What is more, a capacity for growth and change is determined by the cognitive functions of the client. Social workers should analyze a client’s cognitive abilities thoroughly. This helps them know if the client will need the help of others to change or if they can change independently.
Opportunity and Motivation
The clients’ environment and the availability of resources help social workers understand their clients. Clients who are restrained by their finances have lower chances to change. They focus their energy more on income-generating activities than their general environment. Clients must set tangible goals to look forward to.
The goals give them a strong sense of desire and purpose to work hard. For instance, a client who earns a meager salary is motivated to work hard to earn more and improve the standard of living. Other factors that motivate clients are the discomfort situations in their life and the hope of better days.