SW 101

Concept of Social Work

UNIT-1
Meaning and definition of Social work
• Complex and Dynamic- almost impossible to give a universally accepted meaning
• Social work to a man in the street - anyone who performs some good deeds for the
people is doing social work
• Social work to a Semi-professional -in their belief, person employed in the welfare
agency and carries on welfare activities
Proff.Clarke points two deficiencies in this concept of social work
Not all persons who work in the large welfare fields are social workers but may be

experts in housing, recreation, social insurance, nursing, accounting etc.

Neglect to consider the professional qualities of a social worker- fail to understand

what makes a person social work professional.

SOCIAL WORK: MEANING
• Scientific meaning (Dr Helen Witmer): “To give assistance to individuals
in regard to the difficulties they encounter in their use of an organized
group services or their own performance as member of an organized
group”
• Narrow and not a perfect representation
Group- institutions like family, neighbourhood, school, church, hospitals, etc.

Does not consider all agencies- claim to carry on social work activities as a

social work agents

Generally accepted meaning of Social Work (19th Century)
• Social work is a profession primarily concerned with the remedy to
psycho-social problems and deficiencies which exist in the relationship
between the individual and his social environment
• Social work intended to assist individual, families, social groups and
communities in sorting out their personal and social problems and
permanently solving those problems through a systematic process.
SOCIAL WORK: DEFINITION
• “Social work as a professional activity of helping
individuals, groups or communities enhance or restore
their capacity for social functioning and creating
societal conditions favourable to the goal.”
NASW,US
• Social work as a practice based and academic discipline
that promotes change and social development.
Accordingly, the principle of social justice, human
rights, collective responsibility, and respect of
diversities are vital in the field.
IFSW
SOCIAL WORK VALUES

DIGNITY AND
SOCIAL WORTH
SERVICE
JUSTICE OF THE
PERSON

IMPORTANCE OF
HUMAN INTEGRITY COMPETENCE
RELATIONSHIP
What are Code of Ethics?
• An important feature of legitimate professions is a
Code of Ethics.
• A Code of Ethics specifies rules of conduct to
which members must adhere to remain in good
standing with in professional organization.
• The Code of Ethics set forth the values, principles,
& standards to guide social worker behaviour.
Purpose of the NASW Code of Ethics
• To identify core value on which social work’s mission is based.
• To help social worker identify relevant considerations when professional
obligation conflict or ethical uncertainties arise.
• To provide ethical standards to which the general public can hold the social
work professionals accountable.
• To socialize practitioners new to the field to social work’s mission, values,
ethical principles, and ethical standards.
The following broad ethical principles are based on social work’s core
values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance
of human relationship, integrity and competence.
These principles set forth ideals to which all social worker should aspire:
ETHICAL PRINCIPLES

• Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to address

social problems.
• Social workers’ challenge social injustice.
• Social workers’ respect the inherent dignity and worth of the person
• Social workers’ recognize the central importance on human relationships
• Social workers’ behave in a trusthworthy manner.
• Social workers’ practice within their areas of competence and develop
and enhance their professional expertise
ETHICAL STANDARDS
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities to client.
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities to collegaues.
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities in practice settings.
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities as professionals.
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the social work
profession.
• Social workers’ ethical responsibilities to the broader society.