Social Work, Social Welfare, and Social Development PDF

# Social Work, Social Welfare, and Social Development ## Definition * **Social work** is a profession primarily concerned with organized social service activity that aims at facilitating and strengthening basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment between individuals and their social env...

# Social Work, Social Welfare, and Social Development ## Definition * **Social work** is a profession primarily concerned with organized social service activity that aims at facilitating and strengthening basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment between individuals and their social environment for the good of the person and society. (RA 4373, 195) * **Social Welfare** is a state of well-being of people in the society. It has two views: * **Residual** - the government provides funding and social work only as a last resort. * **Institutional** - government help is a natural and normal occurrence. (Melendez, 2018) * **Social development** is about putting people at the center of development. This means a commitment that development processes need to benefit people, particularly but not only the poor, but also a recognition that people, and the way they interact in groups and society, and the norms that facilitates such interaction, shape development processes. (https://www.indsocdev.org/defining-social-development.html, 2016) ## Goal The main goal of social work is to improve society's overall well-being, especially for the most vulnerable populations. ## Scope A basic goal of social work is to facilitate the "social well-being" and "social functioning" of the "person-in-environment". The World Health Organization (W.H.O) recognized social well-being as an integral component of a person's overall state of health, complementary to, but different from, physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Social functioning refers to the way people perform their social roles and the way societies provide structural supports to help them perform their roles. (Canadian Association of Social Workers, 2016) ## Core Values According to NASW Social Work of Ethics, the six core values of social work are: 1. **Service** - to provide help, resources, and benefits to help people achieve maximum potential. 2. **Social Justice** - to uphold equal rights, protection, opportunity, social benefits to everyone. 3. **Dignity and worth** - every person is unique and worthwhile. 4. **Importance of human relationships** - to value the exchange between social worker and client. 5. **Integrity** - maintain trustworthiness. 6. **Competence** - practice within the scope of known skills and abilities. ## Focus of Social Work: Social Functioning Social functioning relates to "fulfill one's roles in society in general, to those in the immediate environment, and to oneself. These functions include meeting one's basic needs and those of one's dependents and making positive contributions to society". (Barker as cited by DuBois and Miley, 2002) ## Functions of Social Work * **Restorative** - this includes restoration of impaired capacities either curative/remedial and/or rehabilitative * **Development** - this includes providing individual and psychosocial resources. * **Preventive** - this refers to prevention of social dysfunction, social problems, social injustice, and rights violation. ## Principles of Social Work 1. **Acceptance** - Manifested in the professional relationships through the expression of genuine concern, receptive listening, intentional responses that acknowledge the other person's point of view, and the creation of a climate of mutual respect. 2. **Affirming individuality** - This means recognizing and "appreciating the unique qualities of the client," are starting where the client is. It requires the professional to: * accept the client without bias and prejudice. * avoid labeling and stereotyping. * recognize and appreciate diversity. * critical knowledge of human behavior. 3. **Purposeful expression of feelings** - Social workers provide opportunities for clients to express their feelings freely without fear of rejection, censure or any form of negative sanction. 4. **Non-judgementalism** - This requires social workers to assume a non-blaming attitude and behavior, to avoid concluding that others are good or bad, worthy or unworthy. 5. **Objectivity** - This requires social workers to examine situations and clients in a manner that is not colored by personal feelings, biases, or prejudices. 6. **Controlled emotional Involvement** - This has three components: * sensitivity to express or unexpressed feelings * understanding based on knowledge of human behavior * response guided by knowledge and purpose. 7. **Self-determination** - This is based on the recognition of the right and need of clients to freely decide/make their choices. As social workers, we have the responsibility to create a working relationship where clients can freely choose and decide. 8. **Access to Resources** - Social workers have the responsibility to ensure that clients have or are linked to the necessary resources, services, and opportunities; "to pay attention to expanding choices, and opportunities for the oppressed and disadvantaged; and to advocate for policy and legislative changes that improve social conditions and promote social justice". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) ## Function of a Social Worker 1. **Engagement** - "The social worker must first engage the client in early meetings to promote a collaborative relationship". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 2. **Assessment** - "Data must be gathered that will guide and direct a plan of action to help the client. This is important core function from insurance perspective. When information is documented, these records become client record subject to recent Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 legislation, which holds the social worker liable for breach by third parties". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 3. **Planning**- "Negotiate and formulate an action plan". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 4. **Implementation** - "Promote resources acquisition and enhance role performance". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 5. **Monitoring/Evaluation** - "On-going documentation through short-term goal attainment of the extent to which client is following through". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 6. **Supportive Counseling** - "Affirming, challenging, encouraging, informing, and exploring options". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) 7. **Graduated Disengagement** - Seeking to replace the social worker with a naturally occurring resources". (Adapted from: DuBois, B. and Miley, K. (1992). Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, pp. 135-141) ## Roles and Responsibilities of Social Work ### Roles of a Social Worker * **Broker** - The social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link a family or person to needed resources. * **Advocate** - In this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain needed resources. * **Case Manager** - Case managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to access those services. * **Educator** - Social Workers are often involved in teaching people about resources and how to develop particular skills. * **Facilitator** - In this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together for a variety of purposes. * **Organizer** - Social Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and action. * **Manager** - Social Workers, because of their expertise in a wide variety of applications, are well suited to work as managers and supervisors in almost any setting. ### Responsibilities of a Social Worker 1. Counsel individuals, groups or families 2. Maintain case histories and prepare reports 3. Serve as liaison between schools, hospitals or government agencies and individuals or families 4. Advocate for clients or patients to resolve crises 5. Develop and review service plans in consultation with clients 6. Investigate client issues and propose a plan for resolution 7. Supervise other social workers ## Areas of Specialization where Social Worker can work and Career Opportunities No matter the area of specialty that a social worker chooses to enter into, it is always to his or her best benefit to earn a master's degree in social work. ### Common Specializations * **Mental Health** * **Medical/Public Health** * **Child Welfare** * **Substance Abuse** * **School Social Work** ## Workplace of a Social Worker Social workers typically work in the following settings: * Hospitals and clinics * Nursing Homes * Community mental health clinics * Private practices * State and local governments * Schools * Colleges and Universities * Substance Abuse clinics * Military bases and hospitals ## Social Workers' Code of Ethics We, the members of the Philippine Association of Social Worker's, Inc. believing: * In the inherent worth and dignity of all persons emanating from a Supreme Being who directs our actions of love for one another, * That every human being has natural and social rights, capacities, and responsibilities to develop his full potentials as human being; * In the human being's capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual differences, and pluralism in society; * In free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all its forms, is neither a fate nor punishment but is a condition that can and must be changed; * In the family as the basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and development of the individual, the family system, and the community; * That the government, the private sector, and the public have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to ensure the political, economic, and social well-being of all people; * In the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change, and in the promotion of professionalism, responsibility, and accountability; and; * That our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values. **DO HEREBY DECLARE** that we will abide by these standards of ethical conduct. ## About Self and the Profession * To conduct myself in a manner consistent with the philosophy, principles, values, and beliefs of the social work profession. * To act at all times with honesty, openness, and transparency in all my professional transactions. * To constantly work towards my professional advancement so as to contribute to the promotion of the social work practice. * To contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promote respect for the integrity and competence of social workers. ## About Clients * To uphold the basic human rights of clients and serve them without discrimination. * To accept primary responsibility and accountability to clients, respecting their right to self-determination and observe confidentiality in all my dealings with them. * To seek out the marginalized and ensure equal access to the resources, services, and opportunities required to meet basic needs. * To expand choice and opportunity for all persons, with special regard for disadvantaged or oppressed groups or persons. ## About Colleagues * To acknowledge and respect the professional expertise of other disciplines, extending all necessary cooperation that will enhance effective services. * To bring any violation of professional ethics and standards to the attention of the appropriate bodies inside and outside the profession, and ensure that relevant clients are properly involved. * To advocate with legislative and policy bodies for the welfare of all colleague Social Workers' Code of Ethics (Adapted from https://www.paswi-national.org/file-about-us/code-of-ethics, 2016)