UNIT II: SOCIAL WORK

LESSON 1:
THE DISCIPLINE OF
SOCIAL WORK
 LEARING OUTCOMES:
The learners are expected to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the disciplines of social work;
2.Identify the goals and scope of social work;
3.Demonstrate comprehension of the principles of social work;
4.Discuss the core values of social work; and
5.Participate in a group presentation about particular situations in which
practitioners of social work are commonly confronted with.
 SOCIAL WORK
It is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that
seeks to facilitate the welfare of communities, individuals,
families, and groups, promotes social change and development,
social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.
It is reinforced by theories of social sciences and guided by
principles of social justice, human rights, collective
responsibility, and respect for diversities.
 It engages people and structures to address life challenges and
enhance well-being.
 A Social Worker is a practicing
professional with a degree in social work.
THE FIELDS WHERE A SOCIAL WORKER
MAY BE EMPLOYED IN:
 Poverty Relief  Women's Rights
 Life Skills  Human Rights
 Community Development  Addictions Rehabilitation
 Forensics  Disaster Management
 Industrial Relations  Mental Health
 Child Protection  Disabilities
 Elder Protection  Hospitals
 GOALS AND SCOPE OF
SOCIAL WORK
1. Enhancing the people’s capacities to resolve
problems, cope, and function effectively
2. Linking clients with needed resources
3. Improve the social service delivery network
4. Promoting social justice through the
development of social policy
 PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL
WORK
Various authors may provide several
principles of social work but agree on
the fact that central to social work
are the principles of social justice,
human rights, collective responsibility
and respect for diversities. 
 THE FIVE MAJOR PRINCIPLES
OF SOCIAL WORK
1) Principle of Acceptance
2) Principle of Individualization
3) Principle of Self-Determination
4) Principle of Non-judgmental Attitude
5) Principle of Confidentiality
PRINCIPLE OF ACCEPTANCE
Acceptance is a fundamental social work
principle that implies a sincere understanding of
clients.
This principle holds that the professional social
worker accepts the client as it is. Social workers
who accept clients treat them humanely and
considerately and afford them dignity and worth.
PRINCIPLE OF ACCEPTANCE
Social Workers convey acceptance by taking
genuine concern, listening receptively,
acknowledging others’ points of view, and
creating a climate of mutual respect.
Acceptance implies that social workers
understand clients’ perspectives and welcome
their views.
PRINCIPLE OF ACCEPTANCE
In social work situation, a client invites a
worker into his life, into his problem, into his
emotional stressful state, and into his
personal affairs.
The principle of acceptance says that the
worker shows his/her acceptance by taking
genuine concern, listening receptively, etc.
 PRINCIPLE OF
INDIVIDUALIZATION
The client of a social agency is like all the other persons we
have ever known, but he is different too. In broad ways, he
is like all other human beings; in a somewhat more limited
way, he is like all other human beings of his age or time or
culture.
But, as we move from understanding him simply as a human
being to understanding him as this particular human being,
we find that, with all his general likeness to others, he is as
unique as his thumbprint.
 PRINCIPLE OF
INDIVIDUALIZATION
The principle of Individualization means that every
client is unique for the worker. As we know that the
client is a person, with a problem in his / her life. He /
she is a person with a particular religious beliefs,
economic position, social status, and a particular cast.
The worker has to accept the client with all his/her
strengths and weaknesses. Every client is not just an
individual but the individual.
 PRINCIPLE OF SELF-
DETERMINATION
Determination is a noun derived from the
word “determine.” “To determine” mean
“to decide something.”
Dictionary meaning of determination is
“the process of deciding on or
establishing a course of action.”
 PRINCIPLE OF SELF-
DETERMINATION
From these we can infer that self-determination
refer to the process of deciding on or establishing a
course of action by a person, or a group, or a state
by itself, without any kind of foreign compulsion or
coercion etc.
Simply, the decisions which come from one self,
which are the results of one’s own wishes and
desires.
 PRINCIPLE OF SELF-
DETERMINATION
In social work literature, Self-determination is defined as “a
condition in which a person’s behavior (i.e. his actions and
thoughts) comes from his or her own wishes, desires and
decisions.”
The principle of self-determination is based on the recognition
of the “right and need of clients to freedom in making their
own choices and decisions.” Social workers have a
responsibility to create a working relationship in which choice
can be exercised.
 PRINCIPLE OF NON-
JUDGMENTAL ATTITUDE
All human beings have dignity and worth. It is intrinsic.
It is by nature. The principle of non-judgmental attitude
means that Social workers do not judge others as good
or bad, worthy or unworthy, dignified or undignified,
etc.
However, it does not imply that social workers do not
make decisions; rather it implies a non-blaming attitude
and behavior.
 PRINCIPLE OF
CONFIDENTIALITY
 Confidentiality,or the right to privacy, social worker
must not disclose the clients information, such as
their identity, their discussion with professionals,
professional opinions about clients, or records.
 Sinceclients often share sensitive, personal material
with social workers, preserving confidentiality or
privacy is essential for developing trust, a key
ingredient of any effective working relationship.
CORE VALUES OF SOCIAL
WORK
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
CORE VALUES OF SOCIAL
WORK
 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
 SERVICE TO HUMANITY
 Service to others is one of the main values in social work, from which all
of the other values stem. Social workers acknowledge that serving others
is more important than self-interest and put the needs of their clients
ahead of their own. This can be difficult at times, and you'll be expected
to seek the advice of your supervisor or even participate in your own
psychotherapy to help you deal with any personal issues that may arise.
 Additionally, the value of service means that you'll be encouraged to
volunteer some portion of your time - or working on a pro bono basis,
according to the Code of Ethics of the National Association of Social
Workers.
 SOCIAL JUSTICE
Social justice is another key value of social
work. Many social workers decide to enter the
profession because they recognize the need to
help underprivileged, vulnerable populations,
such as the homeless, those struggling with
substance abuse issues or victims of domestic
violence.
 SOCIAL JUSTICE
 As a social worker, you have an inherent desire to
improve the lives of people who are less fortunate or
unable to advocate for themselves.
 According to the Code of Ethics of the National
Association of Social Workers, social change efforts in
social work are primarily focused on unemployment,
poverty, discrimination and other forms of social
injustices.
 HUMAN DIGNITY AND
WORTH
 As a social worker, you understand the inherent value of every human
life, regardless of background or beliefs. You respect the differences
between your personal beliefs and those of your clients, taking into
account ethnic and cultural diversity. There may be times that you
have to deal with your own biases against a particular population.
 Itcan be a struggle, but you have to put aside your feelings for the
sake of helping your clients. You acknowledge that your clients have
the right to self-determination -- even if you think you know what's
best in a given situation.
 INTEGRITY
 Integrity
means acting honestly, responsibly and ethically at all
times. You are trustworthy and you don't betray client
confidentiality, unless you're required to do so in certain
circumstances by law, such as in cases of suicidality.
 Not only do you act with integrity, but you also promote
integrity in your colleagues and other professionals. For
example, you don't ignore a colleague who gossips about a
client -- you confront this colleague directly or bring your
concerns to the attention of your supervisor.
 COMPETENCE
 Thevalue of competence means that you practice in
your area of expertise -- and you don't misrepresent
your skills or experience to get ahead.
 Competence also means that you're continually
striving to improve your knowledge and to make
meaningful contributions to the profession.
 COMPETENCE
 Thevalue of competence means that you practice in
your area of expertise -- and you don't misrepresent
your skills or experience to get ahead.
 Competence also means that you're continually
striving to improve your knowledge and to make
meaningful contributions to the profession.