PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK
FUNDAMENTALS OF PROFESSIONAL
SOCIAL WORK
Introduction
Social work is the
youngest profession that emerged in the 20th century. As a profession, it is
still in its tender age. Though it continues to exist from the very beginning
of human civilization as helping activity, has not produced great philosophers
of its own. It therefore, uses the philosophical thoughts from other
professions and relates those to the basic knowledge and methods applied in its
own areas of operation.
Social work as
profession is of recent origin in India. The 1936 marks the watershed in the
history of professional social work training in India. Professional education
for social work in India was first started with the founding of the Sir Dorabji
Tata Graduate School of Social Work in Bombay in the year 1936. Gradually, it
has achieved all the essential characteristics of professional social work with
the global standard.
Definition
Social work we
mean work for the society. Social work is a work by which a social worker can
aware individual about their problems, identify their worth & dignity &
give a satisfactory and independent life which they can’t get by their own
effort.
Friedlander (1951)
defined, “Social work is a professional service, based on scientific
knowledge and skill in human relations, which assists individuals, alone or in
groups, to obtain social and personal satisfaction and independence”.
From Indian and
foreign perspectives of social work profession, it can be submitted that: i)
Social work is a professional practice which critically involves professional
knowledge, skills, tools and techniques for dealing with human behaviour ii)
It mainly emphasizes on the analysis and synthesis of human behaviour for
establishing a growth-producing relationship iii) It is concerned with
individual and social problems which are solved by applying different methods
and techniques. iv) As a practice giving much emphasis on social
adjustment. v) Its main objective is to help the individuals to become
self-dependent. vi) It aims at permanent solution of problems and
prevention of their occurring through proactive measures. vii) It
relates the available resources with the needs of individuals, groups and
community at large. viii) It also integrates and coordinates the means and
resources of social development. ix) It believes in democratic values. x)
It is based on humanitarian philosophy
Generic objectives of social work: These are generally
and universally accepted objectives of social work which basically try: i) To
solve psycho-social problems ii) To fulfill humanitarian needs like love,
affection, care, etc. iii) To solve adjustmental problems iv) To create
self-sufficiency v) To make and strengthen harmonious social relations vi) To
make provision of corrective and recreational services vii) To develop
democratic values among the people viii) To provide opportunities for
development and social progress ix) To conscientize the community x) To change
the environment in favour of individual’s growth and development xi) To bring
change in the defective social system for social development and xii) To
provide socio-legal aid to the needy who cannot afford to meet them.
METHODS OF SOCIAL WORK
The
methods of social work will help his/her to understand ways of helping people. Social
work methods are:
Primary methods
(direct helping method)
1) Social case work
2) Social group work.
3) Community
organisation.
Secondary methods
(Auxiliary methods)
4) Social work
research.
5) Social welfare
administration.
6) Social Action
These
six social work methods are systematic and planned ways of helping people.
Social
case work
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 case worker gets information regarding the
client’s total environment, finds out the causes, prepares a treatment plan and
with 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
programmes, 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
Organization
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 Organization 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 skilful 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
work 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 programmes, 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 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.
Values
relating to social work Practices
Social
work believes in the following values in relation to social work Practice:
1. Social work practice is based on
humanitarian philosophy and offers social treatment and psychological education
in response to human needs.
2. Social work practice believes in democratic
values. It is in the background of philosophy of social justice, equality and
fraternity that the methods of social work of social work have been developed
by its practitioners.
3.
Social work believes in distributive justice. It believes in dividing the
fruits of social development among all according to their capacities and
aspirations. It also emphasizes to help the unprivileged to face the challenges
of their life.
4.
Social work believes not only in the solution of the problems of individuals
but also in social development.
5. Social work believes in modernization and coping with
the changing situations.
6. Social work
believes that socio-economic objectives can be achieved through planning.
7. Social work recognizes
the concept of welfare state
8. Social work
believes Non-violence
Skills
of Social Work
1. Skills in Problem
identification
2. Skills in Problem
solving
3. Skills in analyzing
social situation
4. Skills in building
and using constructive relationship
5.
Skills in appropriate planning
6.
Skills
in resource mobilization
7.
Skills
in Programme activities
8.
Skills
in evaluation
Besides, a social worker is
also skilled in:
1. Interviewing
2. Counseling
3. Relating himself to individuals,
groups and communities
4. providing effectiveness as a change
agent
5. Self-scrutinizing
6. Making conscious use of self
7. Motivating
8. Negotiating
9. Advocating
Role of the Social Workers
in promoting Social Change
Social workers play numbers
of role in the task of bringing about social change in the society, such as:
1. Policy
Maker 2. Planner
3.
Social
Activist 4. Educator
5. Advocate 6.
Coordinator
1.
Implementer . 8.
Philosopher and Guide
9. Watchman
10. Resource
Mobilizer
11. Evaluator 12.Volunteer
Email:socialworkmission@gmail.com
Contact Number:
9947569181
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