Scientific Knowledge Base of Social Work

Scientific Knowledge Base of Social Work
Abraham Flexner’s critique about social work as a profession and the lack of a knowledge base
triggered the drive to establish the scientific base of social work. Flexner concluded his paper titled
Is Social Work a Profession in 1915, by saying that social work is not a profession
He gave the following reasons-
• 1. It does not have a knowledge base

• 2. it is a mediating and not an original agency
• 3. it does not have communicable techniques
Flexner saw social work as essentially a time-limited phenomenon filling the gaps among other
professions.
This questioning of the professionalism of social work, led social workers to work hard to establish
the scientific knowledge base and the specialized skills, techniques and functions of social work.
The scientific knowledge base, the skills, techniques and tools comprise the cognitive attributes of
social work as a profession. The specialized knowledge and skill base of social work constitutes
one of the key attributes of social work as a profession.
The Social Work profession’s universe of knowledge can be placed in the following five categories
• 1. Human Behaviour and the Social Environment

• 2. Social Welfare Policy and Services
• 3.welfare
Social Work Practice Methods- case work, group work, community organization, social
administration, social action and research
• 4. Research
• 5. Field Practicum
Human Behaviour and the Social Environment
• This consists of lnowledge about human development (biological, psychological and social
development) as well as knowledge about the social systems in which individuals live
(families, groups, organizations, communities). This needs understanding of human growth
and devt with particular emphasis on the life tasks encountered by individuals during different
devt stages. Practitioners also require knowledge of needs and resources associated with each
developmental phase, how these needs are being met in different cultural contexts.
Since one of the functions of SW is enhancing social functioning, knowledge of factors that
contribute to developmental difficulties is important, this is important in order to plan for effective
preventive and remedial programs.
Social work is related to various disciplines. The areas like sociology, psychology and social policy
are considered cognate disciplines of social work which has influenced social work. (Central
Council for Education and Training in Social Work, 1976 quoted in Dominelli, 1997). It also draws
from related disciplines like psychiatry, medicine, public administration, history, economics, law,
philosophy and ethics. To summarise, social work has developed a range of theoretical resources
for practice and has adapted theories from other disciplines to its purposes.
2. Social Welfare Policy and Services
This consists of kKnowledge about the political and organizational processes that influence the
process of policy formulation. Practitioners also need to be equipped with knowledge and skills to
analyse social policies keeping in mind principles of social and economic justice. This
understanding helps social workers to participate in the development of social policies and in
utlising the same to enhance social functioning. Social workers practitioners knowledge of social
policies and involvement in their formulation, helps to shape and guide the planning of human
service systems, that help to prevent social dysfunctioning
3. Social Work Practice Methods
• Along with knowledge, practitioners need knowledge of practice methods and skills that enable
them to enhance social functioning of clients. The knowledge of skills in practice methods vary
according to the levels of practice. These include the Micro Level, Mezzo Level and Macro
level
• Micro Level Practice- Micro level social work practice focusses on the person’s most intimate
interactions, such as relationships within the immediate family, close friend and family circle.
• Ittoisclients.
usually direct practice that takes place at this level, as practitioners deliver services directly
This also includes clinical practice
• Macro level practice- Practitioners at this level may work with citizen groups of voluntary
organizations, or community based organizations. Here social worker is involved in activities
such as administration, fund raising, policy analysis etc. Macro level practice also deals with
interpersonal relations, but these are interactions between people who represent organizations,
or members of work group.
• Mezzo level practice- defined as interpersonal relations that are less intimate than those
associated with family life, but more personally meaningful than those that occur among
organizations and institutional representatives. Egs- relationships among individuals in self
help or therapy groups, peers at school or work, and among neighbours.
Methods of SW
The three basic methods
• Social Case Work

• Social Group Work
• Community organization
Secondary Methods
• Social Welfare Administration

• Social Action
• Social Research
4. Research
• Social Work Research, through systematic and critical investigations in the field of social
welfare and into problems of social work enhance the scientific knowledge base of social work.
• Systematic investigations into problems and issues in the field of social work helps to generate
new knowledge.
• Through organized and systematic investigations, social work research helps to build up and
review theories of human behaviour and social functioning.
5. Field Practicum
• Field practicum is an integral component of the curriculum in social work education

• Engages students in supervised social work practice and provide opportunities
classroom learning in the field setting
to apply
• Learnings from field work are an integral part of overall learning.

Tools and Techniques
• Knowledge base of social work also consists of tools and techniques that have developed over
years of practice.
TECHNIQUES
• Interviewing
• Listening
• Observing
• Questioning
• Supporting
• Educating
• Explaining
• Advocacy
• Counselling
• Mobilising
• Sensitising
• Organising
Tools
• 1. Conscious use of the self

• 2. Constructive use of relationships
• 3. Verbal Interaction
• 4. Programme Planning and its use
• 5. Use of Available Resources
For Skills and Abilities of a Social Worker, refer to https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/admissions/is-
social-work-right-career-for-me/list-of-essential-skills-in-social-work.html

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Scientific Knowledge Base of Social Work

He gave the following reasons-

• 1. It does not have a knowledge base

• 1. Human Behaviour and the Social Environment

2. Social Welfare Policy and Services

3. Social Work Practice Methods

The three basic methods

• Social Case Work

• Social Welfare Administration

• Field practicum is an integral component of the curriculum in social work education

• Learnings from field work are an integral part of overall learning.

• 1. Conscious use of the self

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