What is the difference between cultural humility and cultural competence in social work?
The word “culture” is used to describe the various identities social workers and their clients hold. According to NASW, cultural competence refers to “social workers’ ability to identify their own affiliations to culture and recognize and respect differing traditions of culture in others in ways that influence styles of communication and expressions of respect.” Cultural humility, on the other hand, is a lifelong commitment to openness, self-evaluation and self-critique, and to redressing the power imbalances in the social worker–client relationship and developing mutually beneficial partnerships with individuals and communities.
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work Adjunct Instructor Colleen Gibley-Reed, MSW, LCSW, explains cultural competence as coming from a place of “I understand” — positioning the social worker as an expert — whereas the newer concept of cultural humility recognizes that clients are the experts on their own lives. The social worker thus becomes a learner who supports the client. That doesn’t mean that social workers should rely on their clients to tell them everything they need to know about a particular identity, says Gibley-Reed, whose teaching primarily focuses on the topic of power, privilege and oppression. In fact, the NASW Code of Ethics charges social workers with educating themselves about “the nature of social diversity and oppression with respect to race, ethnicity, national origin, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, political belief, religion, immigration status, and mental or physical ability.” Rather, when social workers approach their work with cultural humility, they have the opportunity to learn about their clients’ individual experiences and how those experiences were shaped by the identities they hold.
How culture impacts the relationship between social workers and clients
Social workers are trained to think holistically about how individuals are influenced by their environment — everything from their family to their workplace or school, neighborhood, community or society. Part of that perspective is recognizing the role culture plays in shaping an individual’s lived experiences. Social workers also recognize the strengths that exist in all cultures. Especially when working with clients who have experienced marginalization and oppression, Gibley-Reed says reflection on one’s own identities and biases is critical, along with awareness of potential power differentials. Social workers may not share the lived experiences of their clients, she notes, but approaching the client relationship with cultural humility opens the door to a partnership, with the client and social worker co-creating what the client needs rather than the social worker wearing the mantle of expertise. After all, Gibley-Reed says, clients are the experts in their own lived experiences, and even two people who share identities may have very different experiences.
Why are cultural competence and cultural humility important in social work?
When social workers apply cultural competence and cultural humility in their work, they better meet the needs of the clients and communities they serve. That, in turn, leads to better outcomes.
On the flip side, a lack of cultural competence or cultural humility can lead a social worker to make incorrect assumptions about clients’ needs or to provide services or interventions that are inappropriate or ineffective. In some cases, a lack of cultural competence or cultural humility can even cause harm. For example, a client who has a negative experience with a health care or behavioral health provider may be reluctant to come back or may avoid care altogether.
What are the key components of cultural competence in social work?
Cultural competence in social work requires a respect for diversity, self-awareness and reflection, knowledge of different cultures and how they impact behavior, and skills for cross-cultural communication and engagement. According to NASW, a key aspect of cultural competence is a “commitment to understanding and embracing culture as central to effective practice” across the micro, mezzo and macro levels, as well as advocacy and activism.
Standards and indicators for cultural competence in social work
NASW has published “Standards and Indicators for Cultural Competence in Social Work Practice,” a comprehensive guide to help social workers apply cultural competence in all aspects of their work. Read the guide to learn more about cultural competence and cultural humility in social work practice. Other good resources include:
What are some of the common barriers to cultural competence in social work?
Language differences can be a barrier to cultural competence, as is a lack of training. More insidious, however, are racism, ethnocentrism and other forms of bias, as well as systemic oppression that often impedes change in areas such as schools, the criminal legal system and the child welfare system.
Gibley-Reed notes that it’s not possible to ever be completely culturally competent. After all, she reminds students, two families living in poverty could have very different experiences. That’s why she prefers the concept of cultural humility: “As a social worker, I’m going to be open to continually learning, growing, making mistakes and being accountable to that,” she says.
Hone your social work skills at the University of Denver
Ranked 11th in the nation, the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work offers MSW programs on three campuses — Denver Campus, Four Corners (Durango, Colorado) and Western Colorado (Glenwood Springs, Colorado) — and online through the MSW@Denver program. All of the school’s programs provide students with a foundation in power, privilege and oppression as well as advanced multicultural social work practice courses, preparing them to approach their own work with cultural humility. Learn more and discover which program is right for you.
