Introduction to Social Work Notes

What is social work?

Social work is a profession in which trained professionals are devoted to helping vulnerable
people and communities.

Importance of education and it’s aspect

It helps people become better citizens, get a better-paid job, shows the difference between good
and bad. Education shows us the importance of hard work and, at the same time, helps us grow
and develop. Thus, we are able to shape a better society to live in by knowing and respecting
rights, laws, and regulations.

Social work VS Social welfare

Social welfare refers more generally to the well-being of groups and individuals as well as the
system of social service delivery, the term social work refers more specifically to the
professional practice of delivering these social services.

Founders of social work

The Mother of Social Work: Jane Addams (1860 – 1935)
Jane Addams is the first person many look to in order to answer the question “what is social
work?”

Human development VS Social change

Social Development encompasses a commitment to individual and societal well-being, and the
opportunity for citizens to determine their own and their society's needs and to influence
decisions that affect these. Social change incorporates public concerns in developing social
policy and economic initiatives.

Micro practice VS Marco Practice

For example, micro social work typically focuses on improving the personal experience of an
individual client in a one-on-one clinical or office setting. Macro social work, on the other hand,
focuses on improving the collective experience of a large group or segment of society, often by
advocating on a political level.
Unit 2

Human Rights & social work professions

The social work profession shares a close relationship with human rights, because it adheres to
values such as respect, dignity, and self-determination - values that are strongly embedded in
the code of ethics for all practitioners. The client-social worker relationship has long been
celebrated.

Who make up the client system?

The client system includes both the client and members of the client's support network (such as
family members, friends, religious communities, or service providers).

What is a client system?

A client system is the group of people that a social worker is responsible for helping. Their tasks
are designated by the needs of the individual or the family that they are needed to help.

Levels of clients practice and clients care

Micro social work describes the individualized focus used by clinical social workers (LCSW)
providing direct services, interventions, and support. These social workers offer one-on-one
counseling and small-group assessment in a variety of therapeutic settings, including
healthcare, mental health, and school facilities.

The micro level, most often associated with traditional clinical social work, addresses the needs
of society's most vulnerable groups, including children, the elderly, domestic violence victims,
and those with mental illness. Some micro social workers also provide non-clinical services,
such as connecting clients with resources to improve their well-being or cope with emergencies.

mezzo social workers may offer direct individual services, their primary focus centers on
problem-solving on behalf of groups of clients, or "client systems." These social workers identify
factors that affect the well-being of multiple clients within organizations like schools
Macro-level social work addresses the challenge of alleviating societal problems to improve
the quality of life locally, nationally, and internationally.

While micro social work focuses on individuals and mezzo approaches emphasize small
groups and organizations, macro social work confronts issues at the systems-level.

Unit - 3 Communication

What is communication?
a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of
symbols, signs, or behavior.

Type of Communication
Nonverbal, Verbal, Interpersonal & Written

Purpose of communication in social work

Effective communication lies at the heart of social work practice. It boosts employee morale,
engagement, productivity, and satisfaction. Communication is also key for better team
collaboration and cooperation. Ultimately, effective workplace communication helps drive better
results for individuals, teams, and organizations.

Social Workers VS Counselors

Counselors typically focus on helping families and individuals with a specific set of problems,
particularly patients with mental health disorders. Social workers, on the other hand, focus on
providing a wider range of services in social service systems. Counselors tend to provide
support in only one service.

Social workers and counselors develop many of the same skills, including the ability to
communicate effectively and think critically.

Steps and strategies in the counseling process

The counselling process is a planned, structured dialogue between a counsellor and a client.
The basic stages of counseling are:
1) Developing the client/clinician relationship
2) Clarifying and assessing the presenting problem or situation
3) Identifying and setting counseling or treatment goals
4) Designing and implementing interventions
5) Planning, termination, and follow-up.

Nature and role of counselor in social work

Provides counseling, therapy, and/or psychotherapy to clients and families as appropriate to the
position;
M prepares treatment plans
discharge plans
follow-up care programs
provides therapeutic crisis intervention
emergency services as required.

Important of developing self identity

Personal identity is the concept you develop about yourself that evolves over the course of your
life. self-identity is important because it strengthens your character. That is, when we know who
we are, have confidence in our self and are able to identify our strengths, we emerge as
stronger individuals. Secondly, it keeps us unique and distinguishes us from everyone else.

What are 4 important aspects of your own individual identity?

Personality traits, abilities, likes and dislikes,

Common Self-Awareness Techniques

Mindfulness Meditation.
Yoga.
Strength Assessments
Journaling.
Having a Personal Vision.
Observing others.
Self awareness - Self-awareness is the ability to focus on yourself and how your actions,
thoughts, or emotions do or don't align with your internal standards.

Personal interest - Personal interests are activities enjoyed in a person's free time. They can
include hobbies, sports, artistic expression, leisure activities, volunteering, cultural activities,
spiritual practices, traditional activities, learning pursuits, and personal development.

Values - the principles that help you to decide what is right and wrong, and how to act in various
situations

Worldviews- it as how an individual views the world and how that view is shaped through
values, beliefs, experiences, and inherit characteristics.

Beliefs -something that is accepted, considered to be true, or held as an opinion

Characteristics of social worker

Empathy is the ability to identify with and understand another person’s experience and point of
view.

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information gathered from unbiased observation and
communication. Social workers must be able to objectively evaluate each case by collecting
information through observation, interviews and research.

Self-care - Social work can be demanding and emotionally stressful, so it is important to

engage in activities that help you to maintain a healthy work-life balance.

Professional commitment - Being successful in social work requires lifelong learning. Social
workers must have a professional commitment to social work values and ethics, and to
continuously developing professional competence.

Organized- Social workers fill out paperwork for each client they see and maintain a file of their
interactions, observations, notes, and each plan of action they develop. Social workers must be
organized in order to stay on top of all their work
Respectful - Social workers deal with complicated and sensitive cases every day. An attitude of
respect is one of the most essential personal qualities of social workers.

Patient - Sometimes social work is a slow-moving process. Often, the results you and your
clients want to see take time.

What emotional support can I offer?

Listen. Simply giving someone space to talk, and listening to how they're feeling, can be really
helpful in itself. ...
Offer reassurance. Seeking help can feel lonely, and sometimes scary. ...
Stay calm. ...
Be patient. ...
Try not to make assumptions. ...
Keep social contact.

Why would a counselor terminate a client?

Psychologists terminate therapy when it becomes reasonably clear that the client/patient no
longer needs the service, is not likely to benefit, or is being harmed by continued service.