GLOBAL DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline

that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the
empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice,
human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are
central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social
sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages
people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.
The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional
levels.”.
SCOPE OF PRACTICE FOR SOCIAL WORK
The scope of practice of the profession of social work means the
assessment, diagnosis, treatment and evaluation of individual,
interpersonal and societal problems through the use of social work
knowledge, skills, interventions and strategies, to assist individuals,
dyads, families, groups, organizations and communities to achieve
optimum psychosocial and social functioning and includes, without
limiting the generality of the foregoing, the following:
SW1 – The provision of assessment, diagnostic, treatment and evaluation
services within a relationship between a social worker and a client;
SW2 – The provision of supervision and/or consultation to a social
worker, social work student or other supervisee;
SW3 – The provision of social support to individuals and/or groups
including relationship building, life skills instruction, employment
support, tangible support including food and financial assistance, and
information and referral services;
SW4 – The provision of educational services to social work and social
service work students;
SW5 – The development, promotion, management, administration,
delivery and evaluation of human service programs, including that done
in collaboration with other professionals;
SW6 – The provision of services in organizing and/or mobilizing
community members and/or other professionals in the promotion of
social change;
SW7 – The provision of contractual consultation services to other social
workers or professionals or organizations;
SW8 – The development, promotion, implementation and evaluation of
social policies aimed at improving social conditions and equality;
SW9 – The conduct of research regarding the practice of social work, as
defined in paragraphs (1) to (8) above; and
SW10 – Any other activities approved by the College.
GOALS
To develop competent social work professionals grounded in knowledge,
values, and skills necessary for entry-level generalist practice with
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities primarily
within the urban community.
To prepare students for social work practice with diverse populations.
To prepare students for social work practice with vulnerable populations
and to orient students to local, national, and international issues of social
and economic justice so that they are empowered to be agents of change.
To provide a curriculum that challenges students to integrate and act
upon the values and ethics of the social work profession.
To motivate students to know the importance of and exhibit a
commitment to the ongoing development and care of the personal and
professional self.
To prepare students for graduate studies in social work.

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.
Purposeful Expression of Feelings – Clients need to have opportunities
to express their feelings freely to the social worker. As social workers, we
must go beyond “just the facts” to uncover the underlying feelings.
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.
Objectivity – Closely related to non-judgmentalism, objectivity is the
principle of examining situations without bias. To be objective in their
observations and understanding, social workers must avoid injecting
personal feelings and prejudices in relationships with clients.
Controlled Emotional Involvement – There are three components to a
controlled emotional response to a client’s situation: sensitivity to
expressed or unexpressed feelings, and understanding based on
knowledge of human behavior, and a response guided by knowledge and
purpose. The social worker should not respond in a way that conveys
coldness or lack of interest while at the same time cannot over identify
with the client.
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.
Access to Resources – Social workers are implored to assure that
everyone has the necessary resources, services, and opportunities; to pay
attention to expanding choices, and opportunities for the oppressed and
disadvantages; and to advocate for policy and legislative changes that
improve social conditions and promote social justice.
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.

Core Social Work Values

There are more than five core social work values that encompass
everything from integrity to individual dignity to compassionate service
to social justice to human relationships. These core values are inherent
to the effectiveness of social work activities and programs. These core
codes serve certain purposes. For example, they establish the moral
foundation of the social worker’s organization and they summarize the
ethical principles used to set professional standards and guide social
work practices. These codes help social workers identify professional
obligations and legal conflicts of interest. The codes are public standards
that the public can use to hold social workers accountable.
Service
The primary goal of social workers is exemplary public service through
helping needy people address, manage and resolve various social
problems. Social workers must always elevate public service above self-
interest and personal gain. Social workers use their skills and knowledge
to help their clients through serious social problems, such as drug
dependency, child abuse, residential instability and criminal behaviors.
Social workers often volunteer their professional skills through
community organizations free of charge.
Social Justice
Social workers advocate for social justice and fight against social
injustice. They offer social support and resources for vulnerable
individuals and oppressed groups. Their social change efforts are
primarily focused on poverty, education, housing, unemployment and
discrimination. They promote public sensitivity to social justice issues
and encourage the public to embrace cultural respect and genetic
diversity. Social workers ensure that their clients have access to basic
services, resources and information. They promote the equality of
opportunity and wholesome engagement with clients.
Values
Social workers value the dignity and worth of each person. They treat
each client in a compassionate and respectful way that is mindful of
individual differences, cultural norms and ethnic diversity. They
promote clients’ socially responsible self-determination based on their
individual values. Social workers strive to increase their clients’
capability to change, address their own needs and become self-reliant.
Social workers are always aware that they are simultaneously responsible
to their clients, the law and their organization. They resolve conflicts
between clients and society in ways that are respectful and socially
responsible.
Human Relationships
Social workers recognize the primary importance of human
relationships. They understand that relationships between people are
important vehicles for change, advocacy and equity. Social workers
engage clients, other professionals and community program staff as
partners in the healing and helping process. They improve relationships
among people in order to restore and promote the functionality of
clients, their families and communities. Because social work depends on
the ability to maintain positive relationships with individuals who may
be hostile and unreliable, social workers must be patient and
communicative.
Integrity
Social workers must always act in trustworthy ways. They must maintain
a continual awareness of their organization’s mission, their profession’s
values and their individual ethical standards. Social workers must
honestly and responsibly conduct themselves in public to encourage
their coworkers and support their organization. In order to maintain
their integrity, social workers improve their work expertise through
continually increasing their career competency.
The core social work values ensure that those in need receive appropriate
support and services. Anyone who wants to become a licensed social
worker will need a master’s degree that is approved by the NASW. They
maintain a registry of approved bachelor and master degree programs.
They also offer a helpful list of unique social work career and
certification specializations.
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References:

http://www.socialworkdegreeguide.com/lists/5-important-core-social-
work-values/

http://www.ifsw.org/what-is-social-work/global-definition-of-social-
work/

http://www.google.com/URL?
sa=t&source=web&rct=j&URL=http://www.ocswssw.org/docs/

http://www.lasalle.edu/social-work/goals/

http://socialworkbhu.blogspot.com/2014/03/principles-of-social-
work.html?m=1