Sociotherapy, profession and professional code

• definition of Sociotherapie
• general methods of approach of Sociotherapy
• theoretical lines of approach in Sociotherapy
• arrangement of sociotherapeutic interventions
• task areas
• the sociotherapeutic quality of treatment
• professional code for sociotherapists
• literature and organizations

Task areas of the Sociotherapy

The professional domains of social work and social pedagogic work, in cooperation with the Dutch Institute of Care and Welfare (NIZW), have made a division of the task areas in which it is possible to compare the various professional areas with each other.
Within these task areas, there is no distinction made between communal, group and individually directed tasks.

The knowledge and skills necessary to the task areas are largely learnt during the training period. The carrying out of tasks therefore requires a certain level of training. This level of training determines the level of professional practice.

• Task area 1, orientation
  By conducting an intake, and/or making an inventory of the client's possibilities and restrictions, the sociotherapist orients himself to the situation of the client. In this way he collects the relevant information for charting the present situation, and the situation desired by the client.
   
• Task area 2, designing
  Designing concerns the discussion and description with the client of a treatment plan, based on the information gathered during the orientation. In the treatment plan is worded what the client and the sociotherapists are going to be working on for a certain period of time, concrete and achievable goals are formulated.
  Sociotherapy, as previously described, is part of the overall treatment plan to which all disciplines make a contribution.
   
• Task area 3, intervention
  By intervention is understood the whole treatment repertoire that must be available to the sociotherapist in order to carry out the treatment plan. The efforts of the sociotherapist are directed in order to increase the treatment possibilities and as a result the behavior repertoire of the client. This can occur by equipping the client with knowledge and/or competence. Increasing the competence of the client influences his functioning as an individual and as a member of the group in the present and possible future.
   
• Task area 4, evaluation
  The effects of the interventions are evaluated in the light of the stated targets.
   
• Task area 5, function related matters
  The sociotherapeutic work takes place either within or from an organization. This involves a number of tasks, arising out of the function, that can be seen as creating conditions. The sociotherapist develops and optimizes the conditions under which he can carry out interventions directed towards the client. He also participates in management development and the execution of management.
   
• Task area 6, professional related matters
  The sociotherapist develops and optimizes the cooperative relationships with professional colleagues and other experts within and outside his organization. Alongside this, he makes use of new developments in his profession and provides, where possible, a contribution to it. The sociotherapist maintains his expertise and provides, where possible, a contribution to the theoretical and methodological knowledge of his profession. At the same time, he profiles his profession in relation to related professional groups. The sociotherapist is also active with regard to the analysis of requests for help within the framework of a developing social context.

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