11 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

Disciplines and Ideas in the

Applied Social Sciences
Quarter 3 – Module 5:
Social Work
 What is It

Social Work/Social Welfare/Social Development

Definition

What is social work? When we hear the word social work, what comes to your
mind? Some of the people thought it is about Department of Social Welfare and
Development, those who work directly with the low-income families, individuals, and
groups. On the other side, it is also viewed as the one who brings street children and
families to shelters. Then, what does social work mean?

Social work defined as a profession which is primarily concerned with

organized social service activity that aimed 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 by the use of social work
methods. (RA 4373, 195)

Social Welfare defined as a state of well-being of people in the society. It has

two views, namely: residual and institutional. (Melendez, 2018) The residual and
institutional models are two different approaches in addressing social welfare issues,
such as poverty, hunger and health problems, with the government providing funding
and social work. The residual model generally holds that the government should be
involved in social welfare only as a last resort safety net when other avenues fail
while the institutional model favors continuing intervention as needed, seeing
government help as a natural and normal occurrence in people's lives.

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.

6
Scope

A basic goal of social work is to facilitate the “social well-being” and “social
functioning” of the “person-in-environment”. Each of the key concepts in this
statement is essential to the understanding of the scope of social work. 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. The person-in-environment perspective recognizes the impact of
societal systems such as natural support networks and the formal structures within
communities that may enhance or inhibit individual social well-being. At the core of
social practice, these concepts guide the work of practitioners in diverse fields of
service. However, depending on the chosen area of practice, the roles and
responsibilities of social workers can widely vary. For this reason, it is proposed that
this scope of practice statement be more clearly defined, to effectively examine the
bounds of the social work profession. The scope of social work has several defining
elements. (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 so

worker and client.

5. Integrity – maintain trustworthiness.

6. Competence – practice within the scope of known skills and abilities.

7
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

a) Restorative – this includes restoration of impaired capacities either

curative/remedial and/or rehabilitative
b) Development – this includes providing individual and psychosocial
resources.
c) 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 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.

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
a) accept the client without bias and prejudice;
b) avoiding labeling and stereotyping (e.g. referring to a client as
“deviant” or abnormal;
c) recognize and appreciate diversity (e.g. in lifestyles, values, sexual
orientation, ideological standpoint); and
d) 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. They must not limit themselves to “just the
facts”.

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 prejudices.

8
 6. Controlled emotional involvement – This has three components:
a) sensitivity to express or unexpressed feelings;
b) understand based on knowledge of human behavior
c) 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 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”. This is where malpractice
liability exposure, cyber liability exposure, and general liability exposure begin
the social worker’s risk exposure.

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.

3. Planning – “Negotiate and formulate an action plan”.

4. Implementation – “Promote resources acquisition and enhance role

performance”.

5. Monitoring/Evaluation – “On-going documentation through short-term

goal attainment of the extent to which client is following through”.

6. Supportive Counseling – “Affirming, challenging, encouraging, informing,

and exploring options”.

9
 7. Graduated Disengagement – Seeking to replace the social worker with a
naturally occurring resources”.

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. Social work professionals do not simply
provide information. They also follow up to be sure the needed resources are
attained. This requires knowing resources, eligibility requirements, fees and
the location of services.

Advocate
In this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain
needed resources by convincing others of the legitimate needs and rights of
members of society. Social workers are particularly concerned for those who
are vulnerable or are unable to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can occur
on the local, county, state or national level. Some social workers are involved
in international human rights and advocacy for those in need.

Case Manager
Case managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to
access those services. Case management is especially important for complex
situations and for those who are homeless or elderly, have chronic physical or
mental health issues, are disabled, victims of domestic or other violent crimes,
or are vulnerable children.

Educator
Social Workers are often involved in teaching people about resources and
how to develop particular skills such as budgeting, the caring discipline of
children, effective communication, the meaning of a medical diagnosis, and
the prevention of violence.

Facilitator
In this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together
for a variety of purposes including community development, self-advocacy,
political organization, and policy change. Social workers are involved as group
therapists and task group leaders.

10
 Organizer
Social Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and
action including economic development, union organization, and research and
policy specialists.

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. As
managers, they are better able to influence policy change and/or
development, and to advocate, on a larger scale, for all underprivileged
people.
(https://www.csc.edu/socialwork/careers/roles/index.csc)

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
(Adapted from: https://wurzweiler-online.yu.edu/blog/the-responsibilites-of-social-
workers/Yeshiva-SocialWorker.pdf)

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. Earning
this type of credential tends to take about seven years.

People often go to college with hopes of earning a degree in which they can
use to truly make a difference in the lives of those around them. Unfortunately, after
spending much money and time, a degree is earned and little difference is
accomplished. On the upside, however, this doesn’t ring true for those who choose
to earn a degree in social work. When it comes to earning this type of degree, it
should be noted that there are several specialty fields that one can enter into. Let’s
dive right in and take a close look at five of the more common specializations.

11
Mental Health
A master’s degree is not always required to enter into the field of social work;
however, it can be of the utmost benefit, especially when going into the mental
health sector. When a person has the desire to perform clinical services, a master’s
degree is required, as well as the appropriate type of licensure. In this line of work, a
person will provide a wide array of mental health services, including therapy,
counseling, diagnosing mental health conditions and much more.

Medical/Public Health
There has always been, and will always be, a high demand for social workers
who work in the medical field. There are many settings that a person can find
employment in as a medical social worker, including hospitals, nursing homes,
assisted living facilities, substance abuse treatment centers, home health agencies
and more. In this occupation, a social worker spends his or her time advocating for
the rights of his or her patients.

Child Welfare
Many people who enter into the field of social work do so with the intentions of
becoming a child welfare worker. This line of work is often one that is emotionally
demanding as well as one that includes working odd hours. Child welfare workers
are often on-call all hours of the day. They must meet with clients and report
changes and updates to judges on a regular basis. The custody arrangements of the
cases they handle are generally left in their hands, making this occupation one with
much responsibility.

Substance Abuse
Another common area specialization found in the field of social work is
substance abuse. Choosing to enter this sub-specialty can land a person a job in any
of the following settings:
▪ Juvenile detention centers
▪ Mental health centers
▪ Substance abuse treatment facilities
▪ Non-profit organizations
▪ Prisons
▪ Jails

Those who choose to become a social worker who specializes in substance

abuse spend their time helping those who have become addicted to drugs. The true
value of this position should never be underestimated.

School Social Work

Another common specialization found in social work is that of school social
work. As a school social worker, a person will work as a mediator between students,

12
teachers and students’ families to make sure everyone is on the same page. Many
times, a school social worker will be in charge of particular programs, including:
▪ Crisis intervention
▪ Behavioral intervention programs
▪ Health education
▪ Truancy prevention
▪ Sexual education
(Adapted from: https://www.socialworkdegreecenter.com/are-there-any
specializations-within-social-work)

Workplace of a Social Worker

Social workers typically 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,

13
 ▪ DO HEREBY DECLARE that we will abide by these in our 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;
✓ To share research knowledge and practice wisdom to colleagues and other
professionals;
✓ To be vigilant and act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of
social work;
✓ To support the professional association duly organized and constitute for the
professional welfare of all social workers;
✓ To respond and volunteer my professional services in times of emergency;
✓ To uphold and protect the dignity and integrity of the profession; and
✓ To promote cultural values that will enhance the practice of social work
profession.

About Clients

✓ To uphold the basic human rights of client 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; and,
✓ 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; and

14