Describe and critically analyze the structure and culture of your field placement agency.

Assignment Question

In order to deliver competent service, social work practitioners must understand the organizational mission, goals, structure, culture, and behavior of the agencies in which they work. The purpose of this assignment is to describe and critically analyze the structure and culture of your field placement agency. Assuming the role of a “consultant” to your field agency, you will assess your agency’s strengths/assets and limitations and offer ideas for improvement. (*NOTE: If your placement is in a large organization, you can focus your assessment on your department as the unit of analysis. If you are not currently in a field placement, please speak to your instructor about alternatives, such as your current/former workplace or an agency with which you volunteer or have significant connections). During the semester students will examine agency documents, observe agency processes, and have conversations with their field instructor and agency staff. The Agency Assessment Tool in Appendix A of this assignment description dovetails with course sessions on human service organizations and will be used during these sessions to gather information and facilitate critical conversations. Output: SWOT Analysis (Approx. 6-7 pages not including the title, reference pages, and Assessment Tool appendix.) Students will use information gathered in the Agency Assessment Tool to complete a 6-7 page SWOT analysis (identifying key strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) for their organization and propose a set of feasible, concrete action steps for organizational improvement.