Introduction to Social Work What is Social Work

Introduction to Social Work

What is Social Work? New definition of Social Work (2001): “Social Work is a professional field and academic discipline which focus on the promotion of social change, problems solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance or restore well-being”.

Utilizing theories of human Behavior and Social System, Social Work Intervenes at the point where people Interact with their Environment. Principle of Human rights and Social Sustice are fundamental to social work.

Key Concepts: Social Work as Profession Social Work promotes Social Change Problem solving in human relationships Empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well being Theories of Human Behavior and Social system Principles of Human rights and Social Justice

Social work as Profession: I. A high degree of generalized and systematic knowledge. It means “knowledge base of social work is comprehensive topics which encompass the facts and theories, skills and attitudes, necessary for effective, efficient practice. Social work need to draw on an extensive knowledge base in order to be equipped to meet the challenges of the work.

Social Work knowledge is, at the present time, in fact, an amalgam of several different things. A) Theories borrowed from Psychology, Sociology, Psychiatry etc B) Original or self generated theories like system theory, which purely relate to social work method, process and field.

ii. Community sanction: It has been emphasized earlier that every profession has an assigned function in society for which the profession is accountable. Social work is no exception in that the activities of social workers require some type of community sanctions. The community and the client systems need assurance that the interventions of the particular with the various systems of practice are within the recognized and approved parameters of society’s assignment to the profession. Social work is sanctioned through two structures i. e. the profession and the social welfare institutions within which most social workers are employed.

Value system Value guide and direct practice. Value “something very valuable or desirable”. Respect, dignity and uniqueness of the individual are important value in social work.

. A system of monetary and honorary rewards that are primarily an acknowledgment of work achievement

Promotes social change: Social workers are change agent in a society and in the lives of the individuals, families and communities they serve. It promotes change by eradication of social problems like poverty, illiteracy and unemployment etc. through direct (social worker-client interaction) and indirect approach (Policy formulation and change in the social legislation)

Problem solving in human relationship Problem is a situation, event or any things that hamper the normal functioning of the individual and make a person handicapped. Aim of social work is to eradicate that problem in very organized way.

EMPOWERMENT AND LIBERATION It means the process of increasing personal, interpersonal or practical power so that individual, families and communities can take action to improve their situations. It means addressing the problems of powerless population or empowering the powerless.

Human rights and social justice: According to UN “Human Rights are those rights which are inherent in our nature and without which we cannot live as human beings. Social work is a human rights profession, having its basic principles based on the value of every human being and as one of its main aims is the promotion of equitable social structures, which can offer people security and development while upholding their dignity.

Theories of Human Behavior and social System Theories of human behavior mean utilizing knowledge of Psychology for understanding and solution of individual personal problem. Theories of social system mean utilizing knowledge of sociology for understating the social problem and its solution.