Ff

Front 1

purpose of social work

Back 1

to create a mutually beneficial interaction between individuals and their environment

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goals of social work

Back 2

to enhance social functioning of individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities, to link client systems with needed resources, to improve the operation of the social service delivery network, and to promote social justice through development of social policy.

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relationship between social work and society

Back 3

as an agent of social control on behalf of society, as a reformer of society, as separate from society, and as an intermediary between individuals and society

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social work as agent of social control

Back 4

social workers seek to reform individuals, usually involuntarily seeking social services, on behalf of society. They are usually working with court-adjucated delinquents, parolees, and institutionalized individuals.

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social workers as reformers of society

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they advocate social change that reforms political, economic, and social institutional structures. In this view, problems result from malformed social structures and social workers seek to reform,
ie social workers as politicians

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social work as separate from society

Back 6

there is little or no relationship between social workers and society. Social workers that hold this view work on individual treatment separate from society. ie social workers in a drug and alcohol addiction treatment center

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social workers as an intermediary between individuals and society

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social work emphasizes the context of social functioning. Social workers who hold this view act as mediarys between client systems and their social environment.
ie hospital social workers

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residual view of social work

Back 8

applies only when family, economic, or political structures break down. The implication of this view of social welfare on social service delivery is that intervention only occurs after damage has already been done. It neglects prevention measures for at risk individuals. An example of this kind of service delivery would be marriage counseling for a couple in a relationship that has already escalated to the level of domestic violence

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institutional view of social work

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recognizes social welfare as an integrated function of a modern industrial society that provides services as a citizen’s right. The implication of this view on social service delivery is that social services are delivered as preventative measures before the harm occurs. Using the same example from above, the couple would be referred to marriage counseling before their relationship escalated to the level of physical violence

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ecosystems perspective

Back 10

The ecosystems perspective has a dual focus on both the ecological and social systems elements. It emphasizes how personal and environmental variables are dependent on each other, and environmental intervention as an effective social work strategy. It addresses the need to focus on ecological competencies- the capacities and skills, motivations, and environmental qualities of the transactions between people and their physical and social environments. It provides a universal framework to help us understand the complexities and the diversity of human behavior and the social environment

Front 11

transactions

Back 11

A large aspect of all of this is the transactions between individuals and their environment, which deal with inputs (the resources available within systems and their environments), processing (the systems response to the energy or information it receives), outputs (products and the ways in which systems act on their environments- not always what is desired or expected), and feedback (the response, evaluation, and adjustment). Transactions are the way that people shape their environments and are shaped by them.

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ecosystems example

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For example, if a social worker is working with a client who is mentally disabled and unemployed, they may choose to intervene at the individual level by helping the individual find employment. This can affect the other levels in a shock wave, to the point where it may reach the national level, advocating a change in the laws regarding hiring individuals who are mentally disabled.

Front 13

person: environment

Back 13

The person: environment construct ties in with the ecosystems perspective. It defines the mutual, interactive relationship and transactions between and individual and their environment. When a social worker is working with a client using the person: environment construct, they will look at the person and how the environment in which they live affects their situation and behavior.

Front 14

respect for diversity

Back 14

valuing the dignity and worth of all people, disregarding their cultural heritage, stations in life, life-styles, or beliefs. This is essential to practicing social work because it is a social worker’s responsibility to show equal respect to all clients, and to respect their dignity.

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nonjudgmentalism

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, it involves not treating people any differently because of the choices that they’ve made or the way that they choose to live. It is empowering all people, regardless of your personal beliefs about their choices.

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confidentiality

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essential to building trust with a client. It is the promise, unless there has been or is potential harm to the client or other individuals, keeping what the client discloses to the social worker only between them.

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ethical conduct

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doing the right thing. It is necessary because what you feel is good may not always be right. This can come into contrast with confidentiality, because if laws are being broken it is a social worker’s ethical responsibility to report it, but it can break the confidentiality of the social worker/client relationship.

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professional comportment

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means maintaining professional behavior, presenting oneself appropriately, and maintaining respectful relationships with clients and colleagues at all times. This is necessary in maintaining the professional status of social work. Access to resources involves knowing where to find and how to provide the appropriate resources that a client needs. This is necessary to get each client the assistance that they require.

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dignity and worth

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treating each and every client like a valued member of society, and empowering them to be effective in their social functioning. It is always necessary in social work to treat clients with the respect that they deserve as human beings, regardless of personal feelings.

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self-determination

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having respect for the intrinsic motivations of individuals and working with them. It is doing something because of an internal drive, rather than to achieve an external goal or reward.

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social justice

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rewarding equal rights to all individuals in a society. It is necessary that everyone, regardless of race, creed, or class, is treated with the same respect and rewarded the same rights as others.

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ethical values of social work

Back 22

confidentiality, professional practice, integrity, focus on social welfare, encourage public participation. ex- keeping a clients information absolutely confidential unless they are a potential harm to themselves or others