Importance of Improving Cultural Competence in Social Work Practices

The present study, which concentrates on cultural competence, was conducted with the idea that centralizing concept of culture in a way to impact social work practices. The increasing visibility of differences with the post-modern period has led to an increase in the awareness of cultural competence in the field of social work, and accordingly, cultural competence has become prominent in terms of social work practices. Nowadays, the wide range of differences between people has become diversified. At this juncture, cultural competence emerges as a comprehensive concept that includes a number of differences besides race and ethical background. An extensive definition of cultural competence comprises individuals’ socio-cultural experiences such color, social class, religious and moral beliefs, migrant status, sexual orientation, sexual identity or expression, age, marital status or mental disabilities. The main purpose of cultural competence that involves micro, mezzo and macro implementation dimensions of social work is enabling effective and ethical social work interventions in intercultural practices. Therefore, the present study argues that the literature on social work and other humanitarian services should have content that appeal to culturally appropriate and competent interventions