Social Work Principles PDF

THE DISCIPLINE OF SOCIAL WORK By: Kian Carl Polintan Kristel Ann Molina Angela Monton  SOCIAL WORK Social work is a professional field dedicated to improving the well- being of individuals, families, and communities by addressing social, economic, and emotional i...

THE DISCIPLINE OF SOCIAL WORK By: Kian Carl Polintan Kristel Ann Molina Angela Monton  SOCIAL WORK Social work is a professional field dedicated to improving the well- being of individuals, families, and communities by addressing social, economic, and emotional issues. It involves providing support, advocating for social justice, and facilitating access to resources and services. Social workers use various interventions and strategies to help people overcome challenges, enhance their quality of life, and promote social change.  SOCIAL FUNCTIONING Social functioning refers to an individual's ability to perform and manage the various roles and responsibilities required in daily life and interactions within society. It encompasses a person's capacity to meet their own needs, maintain healthy relationships, engage in productive activities, and participate in community life. Effective social functioning involves emotional resilience, social skills, and the ability to navigate and adapt to social systems and environments. CORE VALUES AND PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL WORK The core values of social work are anchored on the belief that every human being has worth and dignity. Moreover, these core values are inherent to the effectiveness of social work activities and programs. The core values of social work are as follows:  SERVICE Social work is a commitment to help people in need and to address social problems. The services provided in social work aims to inspire change that support people and that contributes to the betterment of every individual's quality of life.  SOCIAL JUSTICE Social work challenges social injustice. According to Segal et al. (2004, 20-21), working for social justice means "striving to create a society in which all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, and/or physical or mental ability, have the same basic rights and opportunities and can develop to their fullest potential.  RESPECT FOR THE INHERENT WORTH AND DIGNITY OF THE PERSON Social work places importance to the worth and dignity of the person - one's uniqueness and individuality - and his rights with respect to the interest of the society in general.  IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS Social work values human relationships. The practice of social work concerns all forms and levels of human relationship - with self, family, small group, organization, and community.  INTEGRITY Integrity is of utmost importance in the practice of social work. Social work professionals must abide by standards of behavior required by the profession.  COMPETENCE The practice of social work requires an application of theories, skills, and expertise in the workings of the individual and of society. The acquisition of social work competencies does not end with professional certification. According to Segal (2004, 21), social work is "a lifelong professional pursuit." An effective social work practice should be based on social work knowledge that is updated and relevant to the changing times and challenges of the profession.  SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE PRINCIPLES Moreover, Du Bois and Miley (2014) categorized social work values into the following: values about people, values about society, and values about professional behavior.  ACCEPTANCE The principle of acceptance refers to the practitioner’s recognition and authentic interest in the client’s individual qualities, rights, and needs. This principle is demonstrated through the manner by which practitioners serve their clients, such as through emphatic listening and responding and by establishing an atmosphere of mutual respect.  SELF DETERMINATION This principle is based on the recognition that clients have the right and the capability to make their own decisions. Social workers can only facilitate but not manipulate the client’s decision-making process.  AFFIRMING INDIVIDUALITY This principle is based on the premise that every individual is different. In putting this principle into practice, social workers are expected to accept clients without bias and prejudice, avoid making labels and attributing stereotypes to clients, and acknowledge and value client diversity.  CONFIDENTIALITY The essence of this principle is the right of every individual to privacy. The social worker is duty-bound to seek the consent of the clients before disclosing any data about their identity, the nature of their case, and the content of discussions between them and the social worker.  WORKERS SELF-AWARENESS Social workers must be conscious of his values, beliefs, biases, and prejudices. After all, before social workers can begin to understand others, they must understand themselves first. By being self-aware, social workers can effectively adjust their thought processes and sensitivities when dealing with clients with diverse problems and from different backgrounds.  COLLECTIVE RESPONSIBILITY This principle is based on the reality that individual rights can be protected only if all members of the community commit to taking responsibility of their fellowmen and the environment. Social work, therefore, facilitates outcomes that encourage people and communities to be respectful of each other’s rights and to make concerted efforts to the fulfillment of these rights.  PURPOSES AND FUNCTION OF SOCIAL WORK Du Bois and Miley (2005) state that social work as profession and field of study serves the following purposes:  Enhance social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities. Link client systems with needed resources. Improve the operation of the social service delivery network. Promote social justice through development of social policy. Zastrow (2017) identified the following as purpose of the social work profession:  Link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunitues. Promot the effectiveness and humane operation of system the provide people with resources and services. Develop and improve social policies.  Enhance human well being and alleviate poverty,opression, and other forms of social injustice. Pursue policies, services, and resources through advocacy and social and political actions that promote social and economic justice.  Develop and use research, knowledge, and skills that advance social work practice. Develop and apply practice in the context of diverse cultures. Adams (as qouted in Timberlake et al. 2008) adds the list above purposes of social work, which is modify environmental conditions associated with population needs, limited resources, and risk factors.  The purposes cited above highlights the goal of social work in enhancing the clients competence, linking them with resources, and fostering changes that make organizations and social institutions more responsive to thier needs. Based on these goals, it is apparent that social work involves various social work interventions from face to face contact with clients to advocating favorable policies for them to enhance social functioning and promote social and economic justice.