PRINCIPLE OF SOCIAL WORK

Principles are declarations of what to do and what not to do to achieve the

best results while conducting social work. They serve as reference points
for professionals performing fieldwork. To conduct a profession, principles
are elaborations of ideals in the form of understandable words. The
principle of belief in an individual’s or a group’s or a community’s self-
determination, for example, expresses the value of dignity and worth of a
person. The ideas have stood the test of time and are based on
experience and research.

A principle can also be defined as a verbalized statement of an observed

uniformity in the context of a particular class of objects. The mechanisms
by which we move from one circumstance to another are principles, which
are general rules or laws, conceptions, fundamental truths, and
universally accepted tenets.

Social work is subject; it determines the interrelationship between theory

and practice. Theories always help to improve social functioning. Social
Work Profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human
relationships, and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance
well-being. Utilizing theories into the practice of human behavior and
social systems, here it intervenes at the points where people interact with
their environment. Principles of human rights and social justice are
fundamental to social work. It is a helping profession which is conducted
with a variety of methods including both primary and secondary methods.

The top 7 principles of social work are;

1. Principle of Acceptance
2. Principle of Individualization
3. Principle of Communication
4. Principle of Determination
5. Principle of Confidentiality
6. Principle of Non-Judgmental Attitudes
7. Principle of Control Emotional Involvement

These principles guide social workers in their work with clients, helping
them to provide effective and ethical services.

1. Principle of Acceptance.

This principle emphasizes mutual respect and acknowledgment between

the social worker and the client. For effective intervention, both parties
must accept each other. The client needs to trust that the social worker
can understand and help with their issues, while the worker must accept
the client without bias or personal judgment.
Key Points:

- Client Trust: The client must believe in the worker’s

competence to resolve their issues.
- Worker’s Acceptance: The worker should accept the client’s
current state without being influenced by personal biases or
past experiences.

Example: A social worker who had a difficult experience with alcohol in

their past should not let that affect their ability to work with a current
client struggling with similar issues. Mutual acceptance fosters a
supportive environment crucial for successful intervention.

2. Principle of Individualization.

This principle highlights the uniqueness of each client and the importance
of personalized approaches. Every individual has a distinct nature and
situation, and social workers should tailor their methods to meet each
client’s specific needs.

Key Points:

- Unique Needs: Each client’s problem is unique, and solutions

should be customized.
- Dignity and Worth: Clients should be treated with respect,
recognizing their intrinsic value despite their current
difficulties.

Example: Instead of applying a one-size-fits-all solution, a social worker

might develop a personalized plan that addresses the specific challenges
and strengths of the client.

3. Principle of Communication.

Effective communication is fundamental in social work. It includes both

verbal and nonverbal methods and is crucial for understanding and
resolving issues. Miscommunication can lead to confusion and hinder
progress.

Key Points:

- Verbal and Nonverbal: Both types of communication are vital.

Verbal includes spoken or written words, while nonverbal
includes gestures and actions.
- Avoiding Miscommunication: Social workers should be
attentive to both their own and their clients’ communication to
avoid misunderstandings.
Example: A social worker must ensure they understand not only what a
client says but also their body language and emotional state, which can
provide additional context to the verbal communication.

4. Principle of Confidentiality.

Confidentiality is crucial for building trust between the social worker and
the client. Clients need to feel safe sharing personal information, knowing
it will be kept private and used appropriately.

Key Points:

- Trust: Clients must trust that their information will be handled

with discretion.
- Limits: While confidentiality is essential, there are exceptions,
such as when information is needed to protect the client or
others from harm.

Example: A social worker might need to navigate complex situations

where confidential information must be shared with other professionals for
the client’s benefit, but this should be done with care and respect.

5. Principle of Self-Determination.

Concept: This principle underscores the client’s right to make their own
decisions. Social workers should support clients in making choices that
align with their own values and goals, rather than imposing solutions.

Key Points:

- Client Autonomy: Clients should be encouraged to make

decisions about their own lives.
- Support and Guidance: Social workers provide guidance
without overriding the client’s choices.

Example: A social worker helps a client explore various options for

dealing with a problem, supporting the client’s decision-making process
rather than directing them to a specific solution.

6. Principle of Non-Judgmental Attitude.

Social workers should approach clients without prejudice, focusing on

providing help rather than forming judgments about their situation or
character.

Key Points:

- Objectivity: Social workers should offer support based on

professional understanding rather than personal biases.
 - Respect: Clients should be treated with respect, regardless of
their circumstances or background.

Example: A social worker working with a client who has experienced legal
issues must remain unbiased, focusing on the client’s needs and goals
without judgment.

7. Principle of Controlled Emotional Involvement.

Balancing emotional involvement is crucial. Social workers should

empathize with clients without becoming overly involved or detached,
maintaining a professional and effective relationship.

Key Points:

- Empathy vs. Detachment: Social workers should show

empathy while keeping a professional distance to avoid
burnout and maintain objectivity.
- Professional Boundaries: Maintaining appropriate boundaries
ensures that the worker remains effective and that the client’s
autonomy is respected.

Example: A social worker might support a client through a traumatic

experience while carefully managing their own emotional responses to
avoid negatively impacting the client’s process.

Conclusion.

These principles form the bedrock of effective social work practice. By

understanding and applying these concepts, social workers can build
strong, respectful relationships with clients and provide meaningful
support. Each principle plays a crucial role in ensuring that social work
interventions are ethical, personalized, and effective.

THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVES IN SOCIAL WORK.

Social work is a field that focuses on helping people, groups, and

communities improve their well-being and quality of life. To accomplish
this, social workers employ a range of theoretical perspectives and
practice methods that guide their work. Theoretical perspectives in social
work are frameworks or lenses through which social workers view human
behavior, society, and social issues. In this blog post, we will explore the
most common theoretical perspectives used in social work practice.

Systems Theory

Systems theory is a theoretical perspective that views individuals, groups,

and communities as interconnected systems that are influenced by their
environment. In social work practice, systems theory is used to
understand the interrelatedness of individuals, families, communities, and
larger social systems. Social workers who employ systems theory focus on
the interactions between people and their environment and how these
interactions impact social issues and problems.

Cognitive-Behavioral Theory

Cognitive-behavioral theory (CBT) is a theoretical perspective that focuses

on the relationship between thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. In social
work practice, CBT is used to help clients identify and change negative
thought patterns and behaviors that may be contributing to their social
problems. Social workers who use CBT help clients develop coping skills
and strategies to manage their emotions and behaviors more effectively.

Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on

unconscious motivations and early life experiences that shape a person’s
personality and behavior. It emphasizes the importance of unconscious
thoughts, feelings, and motivations in human behavior. It was developed
by Sigmund Freud and his followers in the early 20th century. In social
work practice, psychodynamic theory is used to help clients explore their
unconscious thoughts and feelings and how these may be impacting their
social problems. Social workers who use psychodynamic theory help
clients gain insight into their past experiences and how these experiences
may be impacting their current behavior.

Understanding Psychodynamic Theory

Psychodynamic theory is a psychological framework that originated in the

late 19th century with the works of Sigmund Freud and has since evolved
through the contributions of other notable figures such as Erik Erikson,
Anna Freud, and Carl Jung. At its core, psychodynamic theory posits that
human behavior is driven by unconscious processes, conflicts, and
unresolved emotions. Here are some key principles of psychodynamic
theory:

Here are some of the key concepts of psychodynamic theory:

The unconscious: The unconscious is a part of the mind that is not

accessible to conscious awareness. It is thought to contain repressed
thoughts, feelings, and memories.

The id, ego, and superego: The id is the part of the mind that is driven
by basic instincts, such as sex and aggression. The ego is the part of the
mind that mediates between the id and the demands of reality. The
superego is the part of the mind that represents the moral code of the
individual.

Defense mechanisms: defense mechanisms are unconscious strategies

that people use to protect themselves from anxiety. Some common
defense mechanisms include denial, projection, and rationalization.

Transference: Transference is a phenomenon that occurs in

psychotherapy when the client unconsciously redirects feelings and
attitudes from significant figures in their past onto the therapist.

Countertransference: Countertransference is a phenomenon that

occurs in psychotherapy when the therapist unconsciously redirects
feelings and attitudes from the client onto themselves.

Applications of Psychodynamic Theory in Social Work.

Understanding Client Behaviour: Social workers often encounter

clients with complex and challenging behaviours. Psychodynamic theory
can help practitioners understand the underlying causes of these
behaviours by delving into the client’s unconscious experiences and
unresolved conflicts.

Forming Therapeutic Relationships: Building a strong therapeutic

alliance is crucial in social work. Psychodynamic principles can guide
social workers in creating a safe and empathetic environment where
clients feel comfortable exploring their inner thoughts and emotions.

Trauma-Informed Care: Many individuals seeking social work services

have experienced trauma in their lives. Psychodynamic theory can aid
social workers in recognizing the impact of past traumas on a client’s
current functioning and behaviour.

Self-Reflection and Countertransference: Social workers must be self-

aware and attuned to their own reactions and emotions when working
with clients. Psychodynamic theory encourages practitioners to examine
their own unconscious biases, countertransference reactions, and
emotional responses to better serve their clients.

Identifying Resilience and Strengths: While psychodynamic theory

often focuses on underlying conflicts, it can also help social workers
uncover a client’s hidden strengths, resilience, and potential for growth.
This positive perspective can empower clients to overcome challenges.

Psychodynamic theory has therefore been influential in social work,

particularly in the areas of child development, personality disorders, and
psychotherapy. Social workers who use psychodynamic theory believe
that early childhood experiences can have a lasting impact on an
individual’s personality and behavior. They also believe that unconscious
thoughts and feelings can play a role in mental health problems.

In social work, psychodynamic theory is often used to understand the

client’s inner world and to develop treatment plans that address
unconscious conflicts. Social workers may also use psychodynamic theory
to help clients develop insight into their own behavior and make changes
in their lives.

Challenges and Critiques

Despite its valuable insights, psychodynamic theory is not without its

challenges and critiques. Some critics argue that it lacks empirical
evidence and can be overly focused on introspection. Additionally, the
lengthy and resource-intensive nature of psychodynamic therapy may not
be practical for all clients or in all social work settings.

Conclusion

Psychodynamic theory provides a unique lens through which social

workers can understand and support individuals facing various challenges.
By exploring the unconscious aspects of human behavior, social workers
can better empathize with their clients, identify the root causes of issues,
and facilitate personal growth and healing. While not a one-size-fits-all
approach, the principles of psychodynamic theory can be integrated into a
broader toolkit of social work strategies to enhance the profession’s
capacity to improve lives and foster positive social change.

Humanistic Theory

Humanistic theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on individual

growth and self-actualization. In social work practice, humanistic theory is
used to help clients identify their strengths and develop a sense of self-
worth and empowerment. Social workers who use humanistic theory help
clients focus on their strengths rather than their weaknesses and set goals
that promote personal growth and development.

Structural Theory

Structural theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the ways in

which social institutions and systems create and perpetuate social
inequality and injustice. In social work practice, structural theory is used
to help clients understand how social systems and institutions may be
impacting their lives and to develop strategies to address systemic
barriers and injustices. Social workers who use structural theory work to
create change at the societal level to promote social justice and equality.

Feminist Theory
Feminist theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on the ways in
which gender inequalities and oppression impact individuals and society.
In social work practice, feminist theory is used to help clients understand
and address the ways in which gender inequalities and oppression may be
impacting their lives. Social workers who use feminist theory work to
empower women and promote gender equality and social justice.

Ecological Systems Theory

Ecological Systems Theory is a theoretical perspective that emphasizes

the importance of the environment and social context in shaping human
behavior. In social work practice, this theory is used to understand how
different levels of the environment, from the individual to the larger
community, interact and affect individuals and families. Social workers
using this perspective help clients identify and navigate their social
environments, as well as understand how their behavior and well-being
are influenced by social context.

Strengths-Based Theory

Strengths-Based Theory is a theoretical perspective that focuses on

identifying and building upon the strengths and resources of individuals,
families, and communities. In social work practice, this theory is used to
help clients recognize their own strengths and capabilities and work
collaboratively to find solutions to their problems. Social workers using
this perspective help clients develop a sense of empowerment and self-
efficacy, which can lead to increased resilience and improved well-being.

Critical Race Theory

Critical Race Theory is a theoretical perspective that examines how race

and racism impact society, institutions, and individuals. In social work
practice, this theory is used to identify and address systemic racism and
to promote social justice for marginalized and oppressed communities.
Social workers using this perspective are committed to working towards
dismantling structures of oppression and promoting racial equity and
inclusivity. They also work to recognize the ways in which racism is
embedded in social systems and institutions and how it may be impacting
their clients’ lives.

Overall, social work practice draws upon a variety of theoretical

perspectives that help social workers better understand their clients and
the social systems and contexts that shape their lives. By utilizing these
perspectives, social workers can develop effective interventions that
promote social change, equity, and improved well-being for individuals,
families, and communities.
In conclusion, social work is a complex and dynamic field that draws
upon a range of theoretical perspectives and practice methods. Social
workers use these perspectives to understand the social problems and
issues that their clients face and to develop effective interventions that
promote social change and improve the well-being of individuals, families,
and communities. By understanding and employing these theoretical
perspectives, social workers can be more effective in their work and make
a significant difference in the lives of those they serve.

METHODS IN SOCIAL WORK

Social work is a profession that helps individuals, groups, and

communities to improve their social and emotional well-being. There are
five main methods of social work: social casework, social group work,
community organization, social welfare administration, and research.

Social work is an art of living, it describes the activities of helping

individuals, groups, and communities to enhance their capacity for
bringing social change and creating an evil-free society. It is subject to
identifying the grassroots problems and minimizing it. Social work is a
professional activity, which requires knowledge, skills, values, and
potentialities and their ability is to use their own resources which,
interpret into an actions in working areas.

Definition of Social work

There are enormous definitions related to social work, where views differ
from one another to different practitioners, professional tried to work on it
in various perspectives.

Indian Conference of Social Work (1957): Social work is a welfare

activity based on humanitarian philosophy, scientific knowledge and
technical skills for helping individuals or groups or communities, to live a
rich and full life.

Bohem (1959): Social work seeks to enhance the social functioning of

the individuals, singly and in groups, by activities focused upon their
social relationships that constitute the interaction between man and his
environment. These activities can be the provision of individual and social
resources and prevention of social dysfunction.

Social work As a Profession: According to this perspective social work

is a fairly new profession. Social work as a young professional has
experienced growth related to concerns and hanging times as well as
related to the process of developing its knowledge, value, and skill bases.
The focus is on helping individuals to cope with social functioning. Social
work intervention focuses on these transactions in order to influence
change. Influence brings about change depending on the social worker’s
capacity. This capacity has a base in the worker’s knowledge, skills, and
reputation, among other factors. This calls for a social worker to identify
needs and problems in social functioning, to apply knowledge professional
values, and skills, including the problem-solving process.

Methods of Social Work:

Social work to become unique among helping professions developed

distinct methods of practice. These methods are social casework, social
group work, community organization, social welfare administration, and
research. Social casework is the first social work method pioneered by
Mary Richmond.

It is “Scientific Humanism” as it uses a scientific base. Social work is

based on certain values which when organized constitute the “Philosophy
of Social Work”. Social work is based on faith in the essential worth and
dignity of the individual. Man is an object of respect not because he is rich
or powerful but became he is a human being. Social work hesitates any
kind of discrimination based on caste, color, race, sex, or religion. Social
work is against “Social Darwinism” and the principle of “survival of the
fittest”. This means that social work does not believe that only the strong
will survive in society and the weak will perish. Those who are weak,
disabled, and or need care are equally important for social workers. The
individual is understood as a whole with the same worth and dignity in
spite of differing psychological, social, and economic aspects.

The social worker believes in the capacity of the individual and also
recognizes individual differences. The individual’s self-determination is
given importance. He should be understood from both domestic and
cultural points of view. Social work is a combination of “idealism and
realism”. To a social worker, an individual is important but society is
equally important. The individual is greatly molded by social
circumstances. But, ultimately the individual must bear the responsibility
for his or her conduct and behavior. The worker has to solve the problem
on account of which the client is disturbed.

Hence, professional social work with selected knowledge and the set of
social work values has to be transformed into a professional service. A
social worker has to establish a positive relationship with the clients. She
should know how to interview and write reports. He or she should be able
to diagnose i.e., find out the cause for the problem and finally should work
out a treatment plan. An Assessment of the problem, planning for its
solution, implementing the plan, and evaluating the outcome are the four
major steps involved in social work. The social worker’s keen interest in
helping the client, alone will not solve the problem.

The methods of social work will help his/her to understand ways of helping
people. Social work methods are:

Primary methods (direct helping method)

- Social casework
- Social group work.
- Community organization.

Secondary methods (Auxiliary methods)

- Social research.
- Social welfare administration.
- Social Action

These six social work methods are systematic and planned ways of
helping people.

Social casework deals with individual problems- individual in the total

environment or as a part of it. An individual is involved in the problem as
he is unable to deal with it on his own, because of reasons beyond his
control. His anxiety sometimes temporarily makes him incapable of
solving it. In any case, his social functioning is disturbed. The caseworker
gets information regarding the client’s total environment, finds out the
causes, prepares a treatment plan and with a professional relationship
tries to bring about a change in the perception and attitudes of the client.

Social group work is a social work service in which a professionally

qualified person helps individuals through group experience so as to help
them move towards improved relationships and social functioning. In
group work individuals are important and they are helped to improve their
social relationships, with flexible programs, giving importance to the
personality development of the individual in group functioning and
relationships. The group is the medium and through it and in it, individuals
are helped to make necessary changes and adjustments.

Community Organisation is another method of social work. Being made

up of groups, a community means organized systems of relationships but
in reality, no community is perfectly organized. Community Organisation is
a process by which a systematic attempt is made to improve relationships
in a community. Identifying the problems, finding out resources for solving
community problems, developing social relationships, and necessary
programmes to realize the objectives of the community are all involved in
community organization. In this way, the community can become self-
reliant and develop a co-operative attitude among its members.
Social Welfare Administration is a process through which social work
services both private and public, are organized and administered.
Developing programmes, mobilizing resources, involving selection and
recruitment of personnel, proper organization, coordination, providing
skillful and sympathetic leadership, guidance and supervision of the staff,
dealing with financing and budgeting of the programmes and evaluation
are, some of the functions of a social worker in administration.

Social research is a systematic investigation for finding out new facts,

test old hypotheses, verify existing theories, and discover causal
relationships of the problems in which the social worker is interested. In
order to scientifically initiate any kind of social work program, a
systematic study of the given situation is necessary, through social work
research and surveys.

Social action aims at bringing about desirable changes to ensure social

progress. Creating awareness about social problems, mobilizing resources,
encouraging different ‘sections of people to raise their voice against
undesirable practices, and also creating pressure to bring about the
legislation are some of the activities of the social workers using the
method of social action. It seeks to achieve a proper balance between
community needs and solutions mainly through individual and group
initiatives and self-help activities.