THE DISCIPLINE

OF
SOCIAL WORK

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Definition of Social Work
Morales and Sheafor (1983) identified four areas of
consideration:
1. In each helping situation, the social work is
concerned with enabling or facilitating change.
Interventions to improve the quality of life may
appropriately occur as part of the social work
practice.
2. The social worker is in the business of helping
people or social institutions, such as family, change
to enhance social functioning. It is not to focus on
the whole person but on social relationships.
Definition of Social Work
Morales and Sheafor (1983) identified four areas of
consideration: (continuation)
3. Applying the social system theory, social work can
be viewed as a profession that helps people interact
more effectively with their social environment. The
focus is placed on the “interface or the meeting
place or the transaction of person and the
environment. (William Gordon, as cited by Morales and Sheafor,
1983)
Definition of Social Work
Morales and Sheafor (1983) identified four areas of
consideration: (continuation)

4. In helping people to achieve their goals of improved

social functioning, the social worker must have
handles in fortifying and securing the necessary
resources to attain the goals of the clients.
Definition of Social Work
From the National Association of Social Workers
(NASW) in the US :

 Professional activity of helping individuals, groups or

communities enhance or restore their capacity for
social functioning and creating societal conditions
favorable to the goal.
Definition of Social Work
United Nations Economic, Social and Cultural
Organization (UNESCO) considers ….

 Field within human services and a part of services of

government.
 It considers social work as an important service to
the society focusing on individuals and families in
need of help. (UNESCO 2000)
Definition of Social Work
From the International Federation of Social
Workers (IFSW)……

• Defines social work as practiced-based and

academic discipline that promotes change and
social development.
• The principles of social justice, human rights,
collective responsibility, and respect for diversities
are vital in the discipline and in the field of work.
Definition of Social Work
Barker (1999) as cited by Cox and Pawar (2006)

Social work profession promotes social change,

problem solving in human relationships, and the
empowerment and liberation of people to
enhance well-being.

Utilizing theories of human behavior and social

systems, social work intervenes.
Definition of Social Work
Barker (1999) as cited by Cox and Pawar (2006)

Social work profession promotes social change,

problem solving in human relationships, and the
empowerment and liberation of people to
enhance well-being.

Utilizing theories of human behavior