An Introduction to Social Work.

OBJECTIVES OF SOCIAL WORK

1. To solve psycho social problems
2. To fulfill humanitarian needs,
3. To solve adjust mental problems,
4. To create self-sufficiency,
5. Strengthening and making harmonious social relations,
6. Make provision of corrective and recreation services,
7. Develop democratic values
8. Provide opportunities for development and social progress,
9. Conscientize the community,
10. Change the environment in favour of individual’s growth and development,
11. Bring change in social system for social development,
12. Provide socio-legal aid.

SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

CODE OF ETHICS IN SOCIAL WORK

Development of first code of ethics finds its roots back to 1915. Credit goes to Mary Richmond for having developed in 1920 the first experimental code of ethics for the case workers. Later a chapter of the American Association of Social workers introduced the first code of ethics for the profession. Later when NASW was formed they developed a one page long Code of ethics. It included only fourteen broadly worded proclamations. Later on many amendments has been done. Still there are many drawbacks for the code, but it is certainly capable of providing a worthy frame of reference for the profession. It is based on six values. They are;

1. The Social Workers Conduct and Compartment as a Social Worker.
2. The Social Worker’s ethical responsibility to Clients.
3. The Social Worker’s ethical responsibility to Colleagues.
4. The Social Worker’s ethical responsibility to Employers and Employing Organization.
5. The Social Worker’s ethical responsibility to Social Work Profession.
6. The Social Worker’s ethical responsibility to Society.

PRINCIPLES OF SOCIAL WORK

The social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a Code of Ethics. These values are transformed into accepted practice principles for the purpose of informing our intervention with clients. What follows is a listing of nine Social Work Principles and brief description of each.

Acceptance - Acceptance is a fundamental social work principle that implies a sincere understanding of clients. Acceptance is conveyed in the professional relationship 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.

Affirming Individuality - To affirm a client's individuality is to recognize and appreciate the unique qualities of that client. It means to "begin where the client is." Clients expect personalized understanding and undivided attention from professionals. Individualization requires freedom from bias and prejudice, an avoidance of labeling and stereotyping, a recognition and appreciation of diversity, and knowledge of human behavior.

Non-judgmentalism - Communicating non-judgmentalism is essential to developing a relationship with any client. It does not imply that social workers do not make decisions; rather it implies a non blaming attitude and behavior. Social workers judge others as neither good or bad nor as worthy or unworthy.

Communication – Communication is the best tool available to social worker for helping his client. So the social worker must confirm that he is creating an environment which is suitable for client to open up and feel comfortable. It will help the client to feel free to express his problems in his own way. Thus he will have a feeling that he is given due importance.

Social Functioning – The basic goal of the social work practice is to help the client in discharging his social functioning effectively. Social worker should help his client to learn different Social Roles. It will fine tune his behavior.

Self -Determination - 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.

Meaningful Relationship – A Good relationship between the client and the social worker is the core of Social work practice. It is necessary to discharge the service. The quality of relationship determines the effectiveness of service. It is the medium by which clients Social workers are are enabled. This professional service include a mutual process of shared responsibilities, recognition of one’s rights, acceptance of differences, objectivity etc.

Confidentiality - Confidentiality or the right to privacy implies that clients must give expressed consent before information such as their identity, the content of discussions held with them, one's professional opinion about them, or their record is disclosed.

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METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK

Methods are systematic and generally accepted way of doing a task. Social work being a scientific profession has different methods of working with the clients. The methods of can be broadly classified into Primary and Secondry methods. The methods which make interventions dierectly with the clients are known as primary methods. His include Social Case work, Group Work and Community organization. There is another set of methods which is supposed to support the primary methods. They are known as secondary methods. It includes Social Action, Social Welfare Administration and Social Work Research.

FIELDS OF SOCIAL WORK

Fields practice for social Work professional is wide open. Which include traditional fields like family and children’s services; health and rehabilitation; mental health; occupational social work; or social work in business industry; housing; community development; information and referral; income maintenance; ageing, or gerontological social work; education, or school social work in corrections.

PRACTICE APPROACHES

Traditional Practice Methods

Multi-method Approach

Generalist Practice Approach

Specialist Practice Approach

SKILLS BASE OF SOCIAL WORK

What is a Skill? Skill may be defined as the ability to use knowledge effectively and readily in execution or performance.”

Skill for Social Worker Social workers require skill base to help a client or clients to improve their social functioning. In social work

Basic Skills in Social Work

Basic Helping skills

Engagement Skills

Observation Skills

Communication Skills

Empathy Skills

Resistance Intervention Skills

Assessment Skills

Documentation Skills

SUMMARY

Social Workers always work for creating an order and enhance opportunities for people in an increasingly complex world. Standing firm on humanitarian philosophy, Social work studies the social problems, its origin, interrelation etc. and provides a scientific solution to such problems and thereby spread happiness all over the globe. In short we may say the main of Social Work is to ‘help people to help themselves’.

REFERENCE

1. DuBois, B. & Miley, K.K. Social Work: An Empowering Profession, Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1992, pp. 135-141.
2. Morales, Armando. Social Work: a profession of many faces: Allyn and Bacon- 6th ed. 1992.
3. Miley, Karla Krogsrud, Michael O'Melia and Brenda L. DuBois. Generalist Social Work Practice: An Empowering Approach. Boston: Allyn and Bacon, 1995.
4. Bhattacharya, Sanjay. Social Work: An Integrated Approach. New Delhi: DEEP & DEEP PUBLICATIONS PVT. LTD., 2008.