Social Welfare Perspectives Review

Study Notes

Institutional Perspective: Views people's needs as a normal part of life, advocating for social welfare as an integral aspect of society.
Residual Perspective: Focuses on identifying and addressing social problems and gaps in current support systems.
Developmental Perspective: Emphasizes positive social interventions that foster economic development, promoting overall societal advancement.

Social Welfare: A comprehensive system of programs and services designed to meet social, economic, educational, and health needs essential for societal maintenance.
Social Work: Involves helping individuals access necessary services, offering counseling, and participating in advocacy and legislative processes.

Conservatism: Advocates for individual responsibility and minimal government interference, promoting the belief that not all change results in improvement.
Liberalism: Supports government intervention to protect rights and privileges in the name of social justice, focusing on equitable treatment for all.
Radicalism: Challenges the existing social and political systems as incapable of providing genuine social justice.

Fields of Practice: Contexts that require specialized knowledge and skills to effectively address diverse populations and their needs.
Baccalaureate Social Worker: Requires 400 hours of supervised field experience for licensure, foundational for practice.
Master Social Worker: Engages in advanced training combined with hands-on field internships, enhancing practice capabilities.
Social Service Technician: Holds an associate or baccalaureate degree in non-social work fields, assisting social workers in defined tasks.
Social Service Aides: Entry-level positions for individuals with high school education, often involving clerical work and community support.

Psychotherapy: A therapeutic process aimed at addressing mental disorders through structured interactions between therapist and client.
Psychology: The scientific study of mental processes and behaviors.
Sociology: Examination of group dynamics, behaviors, and social structures within broader societies.

Social Justice: Envisions a society where all individuals have equal rights, opportunities, and protections.
Economic Justice: Focuses on fair distribution of resources, ensuring equity across communities.
Environmental Justice: Advocates for equal treatment of all, particularly in environmental regulation and policy enforcement.
Human Rights: Ensures all individuals, regardless of their background, are guaranteed basic rights and dignities.

Accountability: Essential for professionals to demonstrate effectiveness and integrity in their commitments to clients and communities.
Competencies: Specific, measurable behaviors reflecting a social worker's knowledge, skills, and values necessary for impactful practice.
Advocacy: Involves actively supporting clients to access needed resources and services.

Evidence-Based Practice: Utilizes current best evidence to inform client care decisions, promoting effective and informed interventions.
Practice-Informed Research: Requires social workers to comprehend research methodologies and apply them effectively in practice settings.

Social Welfare Policies: Govern the availability and regulation of social welfare programs, stipulating client eligibility and service categories.
Agency Policies: Standards set by organizations to ensure effective service delivery within their operational frameworks.