Notes by MIRALDA MUKHTSHANE(u21592502)
SOCIAL WORK THEORY
CHAPTER ONE: SOCIAL WORK-A HELPING PROFESSION
SOCIAL WORK DEFINED
Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline
that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the
empowerment and liberation of people.
Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and
respect for diversities are central to social work.
Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and
indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to
address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.
WHAT IS THE IFSW, IASSW AND ASWWA?
IFSW= International Federation of Social Workers
IASSW = International Association of Schools of Social Work
ASSWA = Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa
SOCIAL WORKERS AS CARING PROFESSIONALS
Social workers = professionals who mastered knowledge base,
developed competencies and required skills and adhere to profession’s
values and ethics
Social workers share similar values: positive regard, genuine concern,
altruism –unselfish regard, optimistic about people’s potential, vision of
future based on ideals of social justice and human rights.
GENEALIST SOCIAL WORKER
Acknowledge the interplay of personal and collective issues, prompting
them to work with a variety of human systems –societies, communities,
neighbourhoods, complex organisations, formal groups, families and
individuals –to create changes which maximise human system
functioning.
, Notes by MIRALDA MUKHTSHANE(u21592502)
This means that generalist social workers work directly with client
systems at all levels, connects clients to available resources, intervene
with organisations to enhance the responsiveness of resource systems,
advocate just social policies to ensure equitable distribution of
resources, and research all aspects of social work practice.
Values working with clients and their colleagues (working with them but
not doing things to them or for them).
SOCIAL WORK’S MISSION AND PURPOSE
Enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic human needs
of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment
of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
Social work is distinguished by its integrated view, focusing on persons in
the context of their physical and social environments.
social workers strengthen human functioning and enhance the
effectiveness of the structures in society that provide resources and
opportunities for citizens.
PERSONAL TROUBLES AND PUBLIC ISSUES
Trouble: private matter, values cherished by an individual are felt by
him or her to be threatened.
Issue: public matter, some value cherished by publics is felt to be
threatened.
STRENGTHS AND NEEDS
1. Universal basic needs –needs that all people share
2. Motivational needs –hierarchy of needs (Maslow)
3. Personal development needs –biological, psychological, interpersonal,
social and cultural factors (Well-being)
4. Life tasks –daily living, e.g. growing up, learn in school, world of work,
marrying, rearing a family, traumas e.g. bereavement, separation,
illness, financial difficulties
5. Cultural strengths –Material culture: artefacts, objects, spaces, digital
equipment; Nonmaterial culture: values, beliefs, norms, customs,
expectations.
SOCIAL WORK THEORY
CHAPTER ONE: SOCIAL WORK-A HELPING PROFESSION
SOCIAL WORK DEFINED
Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline
that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the
empowerment and liberation of people.
Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and
respect for diversities are central to social work.
Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and
indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to
address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.
WHAT IS THE IFSW, IASSW AND ASWWA?
IFSW= International Federation of Social Workers
IASSW = International Association of Schools of Social Work
ASSWA = Association of Schools of Social Work in Africa
SOCIAL WORKERS AS CARING PROFESSIONALS
Social workers = professionals who mastered knowledge base,
developed competencies and required skills and adhere to profession’s
values and ethics
Social workers share similar values: positive regard, genuine concern,
altruism –unselfish regard, optimistic about people’s potential, vision of
future based on ideals of social justice and human rights.
GENEALIST SOCIAL WORKER
Acknowledge the interplay of personal and collective issues, prompting
them to work with a variety of human systems –societies, communities,
neighbourhoods, complex organisations, formal groups, families and
individuals –to create changes which maximise human system
functioning.
, Notes by MIRALDA MUKHTSHANE(u21592502)
This means that generalist social workers work directly with client
systems at all levels, connects clients to available resources, intervene
with organisations to enhance the responsiveness of resource systems,
advocate just social policies to ensure equitable distribution of
resources, and research all aspects of social work practice.
Values working with clients and their colleagues (working with them but
not doing things to them or for them).
SOCIAL WORK’S MISSION AND PURPOSE
Enhancing human well-being and helping meet the basic human needs
of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment
of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty.
Social work is distinguished by its integrated view, focusing on persons in
the context of their physical and social environments.
social workers strengthen human functioning and enhance the
effectiveness of the structures in society that provide resources and
opportunities for citizens.
PERSONAL TROUBLES AND PUBLIC ISSUES
Trouble: private matter, values cherished by an individual are felt by
him or her to be threatened.
Issue: public matter, some value cherished by publics is felt to be
threatened.
STRENGTHS AND NEEDS
1. Universal basic needs –needs that all people share
2. Motivational needs –hierarchy of needs (Maslow)
3. Personal development needs –biological, psychological, interpersonal,
social and cultural factors (Well-being)
4. Life tasks –daily living, e.g. growing up, learn in school, world of work,
marrying, rearing a family, traumas e.g. bereavement, separation,
illness, financial difficulties
5. Cultural strengths –Material culture: artefacts, objects, spaces, digital
equipment; Nonmaterial culture: values, beliefs, norms, customs,
expectations.
