MODULE 6: THE DISCIPLINE OF SOCIAL WORK
“Never never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at
stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we
look the other way" –- Martin Luther King Jr.
When you are blessed or are in a privileged position in society, the greatest contribution
you can ever make is to pay it forward. Paying forward is an act of doing good to someone else
as a way of giving back to the kindness that others or the world has bestowed upon you Looking
after your own welfare also entails looking after someone else's, which is a basic moral and social
obligation of one human being to another.
For you to appreciate social work as a viable option for a future career, you need to
understand some fundamental ideas about the practice. When you do so, you can begin to orient
yourself with the skills and values necessary in social work and in social care. A college degree
is most certainly beneficial if you are serious about becoming a professional social worker. After
all, social work is a noble and fulfilling way of making you relevant and helpful to other members
of society, especially to those who need help the most.
Big Idea
Other fields in social and health care such as nursing, occupational therapy, and other
allied professions demand the same set of skills required in social work.
Social Work: When to Make a Difference
It is through a greater appreciation of the discipline of social work that you will be motivated
to engage even in the simplest act of kindness and concern toward others. Social work does not
need to be institutional, nor be a grand gesture of charity. An individual who is engaged in social
care sees himself or herself in various settings involving personal interactions and services that
include "caring, supporting, assisting, tending and enabling [all of which are] offered to people to
promote and further their well-being, but which do not fit under the umbrella of 'health care""
(Horner, 2006). Thomas and Pierson (2001), as cited in Horner (2006), defined social care as a
form of " assistance given to people to maintain themselves physically and socially... [that is]
distinguished from other forms such as health care and the care given by one member of a family
to another."
You will notice that a certain set of social worker skills and values are also being honed in
nurses, physicians, or medical staff so that they may later become more effective healthcare
providers. To further prove the point, Horner (2006) explained that the general public (which
includes you) may understand social care as those "activities as caring for older people in a
residential care home, or providing home care, or working in a daycare setting with people with
learning disabilities [which are] allied as it is to other caring professions, such as nursing."
DEFINING SOCIAL WORK
How do professional social workers and organizations define their discipline? What are
some of the key concepts that you can relate to social work?
The International Association of Schools of Social Work and International Federation of
Social Workers (2001) defined the social work profession as a promotion of "social change,
problem solving in human relationships, and the empowerment and liberation of people to
enhance well-being" (as cited in Horner, 2006). Observe the word cloud that follows and ponder
on other ideas that you can associate with the practice of social work.
Synonymous to and often interchanged with social work is the term social welfare, which
may vary in how it is defined (i.e., as an institution or as an academic discipline). Social welfare"
encompasses social work [and that they] are primarily related at the level of practice." (Zastrow,
1996)
There are what we call social welfare institutions (social welfare programs and social
service organizations) that are established "to prevent, alleviate, or contribute to the solution of
recognized social problems in order to directly improve the well-being of individuals, groups,
families, organizations, and communities" (Zastrow 1996). These institutions are created through
policies and legislation, whose programs and services may be provided by voluntary (private) or
governmental (public) sectors of the society.
In an academic sense, social welfare may be defined based on its role as an academic
discipline the study of agencies, programs, personnel, and policies which focus on the delivery of
social services to individuals, groups, and communities (Zastrow, 1996). Schools emphasize the
importance of studying social welfare especially in societies where the values of social justice and
equality are highly regarded.
Big Idea
Having a sense of obligation to help those in need is always a fruitful endeavor. A person
lives not only to preserve herself or himself, but also to serve the needs of his or her society.
While the discipline of social work borrows some important principles of human rights and
social justice from theories of human behavior and social systems, social workers are concerned
with "people who are vulnerable, who are struggling in some way to participate fully in society."
Horner (2006) adds that "social workers walk that tightrope between supporting and advocating
on behalf of the marginalized individual, whilst being employed by the social, economic and
political environment that may have contributed to their marginalization."
In order to fulfill their duties effectively, a potential social worker is trained to be highly
skilled and knowledgeable as he or she acknowledges his or her capacity and motivation to help
others. Students like you may eventually wish to formally study social work and pursue a degree
in it so that you will be better equipped with the knowledge and skills relevant " about protecting
people and changing their lives [and] not about being able to give a fluent to the discipline.
Smith (2002) considers social work " a very practical job" and since it is "about protecting
people and changing their lives [and] not about being able to give a fluent courses [on social work]
must ensure that theory and research directly informs and supports and theoretical explanation
of why they got into difficulties in the first place... new degree the practice" (Horner, 2006).
There are major historical and contextual functions of social work and social welfare that Gambrill
(1997) proposed. These are the following:
1. Relief of psychological distress and material need. Through social welfare, people are able
to cope better and function effectively in their social environment.
2. Providing for basic survival needs. These include "adequate nutrition, clothing, shelter, and
medical care." It also involves the creation of "opportunities to enhance psychological well-being
and social productivity" (Federico, 1990, as cited in Gambrill, 1997).
3. Social control. Social control refers to "encouraging adherence to social norms and
minimizing, eliminating, or normalizing deviant behavior. "
Informal social control - those internalized beliefs and norms and influence in face-toface exchanges such as ridicule, praise, and ostracism. Formal social control – includes laws and
regulations and actions by governmental representatives such as police and social workers.
4. Social reform. Emphasizing the necessity of having social reform, social workers have always
believed that the lack of food, housing, employment, and educational and recreational
opportunities are the real causes of social problems-not the unworthiness of individual persons.
These inequities, according to social workers, need to be properly addressed so as to create a
just and more conducive environment for all citizens.
Think of the human body as a symbolism for society, with the bodily organs and systems
representing the various parts and structures of this society. How can the body achieve a healthy
and stable condition? What do people do when they are sick? What do others do when they crave
to fulfill a need? What happens to a body which fails to receive the needed help to make it function
properly?
Social services are provided so that the members of society can function effectively within
a society. When these members achieve a stable condition, they are able to properly fulfill their
roles in this society. Therefore, social services contribute to the attainment of stability. George
and Wilding (1984) affirmed this by citing the ways on how social services contribute to political
stability:
1. By exhibiting apparent efforts to alleviate problems that might result in serious discontent and
that could be used to criticize the current economic and political structure
2. By defining social problems as caused by individual, family, or group factors rather than by
structural and economic factors.
3. By promoting values and behaviors that support political stability
4. By supporting authority and related hierarchical systems
5. By replacing class conflicts with group conflict
Historical Context in the Philippines
You may find social work as a career less appealing compared to those that are titular in
nature such as medicine, engineering, or law. But the idea that social work is as relevant, and
perhaps as noble as those professions, cannot be dismissed. Social work has been crucial as
can be seen throughout the history of Philippine society. Despite the relative youth of social work
as a profession, social workers continue to assert their contribution in shaping society. Through
social work, these professionals affect change by motivating people to become self-sufficient and
useful to society.
Social work as a profession rooted from informal caring and charitable acts provided by
families and communities, which then addressed human and social needs (Price, 2014). In the
case of social work in the Philippines, an understanding of the colonial and political history of the
country is necessary to put the development of the practice in context.
"The 'colonial rule' brought to the Philippines a form of social welfare which was functional,
residualized, and individualist," and much of which took the form of community-based social work
(Yu, 2006, as cited in Price, 2014).
Social Work during the Colonial Period
Social work in the Philippines is a combination of church work and charity. Colonial
influences" helped construct the Philippine approach to social work, though these influences now
operate alongside (and at times in conflict with) community-focused initiatives aimed at promoting
social and economic development" (Price, 2014).
The predominant religion in the country had a strong influence in the development of social
work in the Philippines, primarily because of the principle of Christian philanthropy or charity.
During the Spanish colonial period, hospitals and orphanages were established by the church,
the religious orders, and other individuals who saw the act of giving as "a route to salvation" (Price,
2014).
By the time the Americans came, charitable activities gradually extended to public
coordination and provision of welfare services. Social work as profession became more
pronounced through the influence of aid workers coming from the United States (U.S.) and
through the Filipino social workers who were trained in the U.S. (Almanzor, 1966; Yu, 2006, as
cited in Price, 2014)
Meanwhile, the Philippines saw an economic growth upon the establishment of the
Commonwealth government. These events brought public welfare legislation and programs into
a wider and broader scope, which even extended to rural areas. There came a call for greater
professionalization and increased coordination among entities engaged in social work.
During the brief Japanese interlude in the Philippines from 1942 to 1945, the country
experienced a huge blow to the economy. The war damaged the supply of even the most basic
necessities, thus affecting millions of Filipinos. Thus, during this time, emergency relief work
became the focus of all governmental, religious, and charitable institutions.
After Independence
Price (2014) provided a list of the significant milestones in the development of social work
in the Philippines during this time. These include the following:
•the establishment of social work schools initially in and around Manila.
•the formation of the Philippine Association of Social Workers in 1947 by overseas trained
workers.
•the funding by the United Nations Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) for training children and
family social workers to boost professionalization.
•and the enactment of Republic Act 4373 in 1965, which regulated the practice of social work and
the operation of social work agencies.
Many of the social workers in the 1950s and 1960s were "engaged in 'casework' rather
than group or community work, mostly working in hospitals and mental health settings, assessing
eligibility for free treatment and financial support" (Lee-Mendoza, 2008, as cited in Price, 2014).
The United Nations (UN), with its development agenda, had taken a growing focus to the
Philippines and this was evident in the active presence of UNICEF in the country. Because of this,
"funds were directed to national initiatives, which aimed to tackle poverty and raise overall living
standards " in the country (Price, 2014).
Government welfare agencies that existed until 1976 were reorganized and clumped
together to constitute the Department of Social Services and Development.
Emergency relief work and daycare were still active during these times, but efforts toward
development also included working with communities to develop businesses and skills for
employment (Price, 2014).
The period after the 1986 EDSA People Power marked the shift from welfare and relief to a
development approach. In 1987, the reorganized Department of Social Welfare and Development
(DSWD) offered five areas of concentration Price, 2014).:
· family and community.
· children and youth.
· women.
· disabled and elderly people.
· emergency assistance/disaster relief.
The early 1990s became a great period for social workers as DSWD became the largest
employer of social workers in the country and there came a growing focus on low income
municipalities and other socially depressed barangays (Price, 2014).
When Republic Act 7160 (or the Local Government Code of 1991) was enacted, the
government saw the need for a more decentralized accountability and autonomy in providing
social work and social welfare services. Some of the tasks from the national level were
relegated to the "level of municipality, with some services, such as maintaining local health
and day care centers, devolved to the barangay" (Price, 2014).
Local government units (LGUS), non-governmental organizations (NGOS), faith-based
charitable providers, and some private institutions (such as private hospitals and industrial social
work settings) became more involved, committed, and unified in providing social services. All of
these players, according to Price (2014), were still " subject to the oversight and 'vision' of the
DSWD, which also employs some social workers in research and monitoring roles. "
Contemporary Social Work in the Philippines
How is social work perceived as a profession? If you are going to pursue social work in college,
you will expect the following to be part of the curriculum since these same dimensions are also
evident in social work practice:
1. Social Casework: conceptualized as assistance toward individual adjustment
2. Social Group Work: group activities organized for welfare purposes
3. Community Organization These dimensions are modeled after American social work. Many
of the social workers the Philippines, according to Price (2014), "characterize their practice as
responding to poverty... that in this very often underlies the issues which they seek to address."
Although social workers may specialize in a particular aspect or area of the profession, it is a
reality in the Philippines that most social workers perform multiple tasks.
Social work in the Philippines is generalist in its approach, which means that social work education
in the country trains a social worker to perform various functions. Trainees for social work are
exposed to a wide array of problems and issues in various social work contexts. They are made
to understand and perform the different faces of the profession to provide a more holistic solution
to problems related to social work.
Relationship with Other Disciplines
•Sociology – the study of human social behavior, especially the study of the origins,
organizations, institutions, and development of human society.
•Psychology – the study of mental processes and behavior.
•Psychiatry – the study of the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of mental illness.
•Political science – the study of the processes, principles, and structures of government and of
political institutions.
•Economics – the study of the production, distribution, and consumption of commodities.
•Cultural anthropology – the study of human culture based on archeological, ethnographic,
linguistic, social, and psychological data and methods of analysis.
In the formal study of social work, the theories and research in the disciplines mentioned
may not necessarily be completely part of the knowledge base of social work. Only those that
have "direct application to the social welfare goal of enhancing the social functioning of people"
(Zastrow, 1996) may be adopted.
Social work or social welfare is usually regarded as an applied science than a pure science
because "it has formed its knowledge base primarily from the theories and research of other
disciplines and has focused on applying such knowledge through social programs" (Zastrow,
1996)
In more recent years, the discipline has matured and has slowly developed its own knowledge
base through active engagement in research and development of theory among social work
experts and scholars.
Big Idea
A social worker is a jack-of-all-trades. When engaged in social work, he or she is able to cross
disciplines as his or her training is akin to other related disciplines.
Goals of the Discipline
The primary goal of social welfare is "to fulfill the social, financial, health, and recreational
requirements of all individuals in a society " (Zastrow, 1996). And according to the United States
National Association of Social Workers, this can be further broken down into four major goals.
1. Enhance the problem-solving, coping, and developmental capacities of people. The
focus of the goal is on the individual where the social worker "serves primarily as an enabler-a
counselor, teacher, caregiver, and behavior changer."
2. Link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunities.
The focus of this goal is on the relationship between individuals and the systems they interact
with. The social worker "serves primarily as a broker."
3. Promote the effectiveness and humane operation of systems that provide people with
resources and services. This goal focuses on the systems which individuals interact with,
specifically on the available resources for serving the people.
The social worker is an advocate and may take the following specific roles:
a. Program developer, where the social worker needs to promote or design programs or
technologies to meet social needs;
b. Supervisor, where the social worker seeks to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of
service delivery through supervising other staff;
c. Coordinator, where the social worker seeks to improve a delivery system by increasing
communications and coordinating with human service resources; and
d. Consultant, where the social worker seeks to provide guidance to agencies and organizations
by suggesting ways on how to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of services.
4. Develop and improve social policy. This goal centers on the systems people interact with,
specifically on the laws/statutes and social policies that underlie such resources. "Social workers
are planners and policy developers [whereby they] develop and seek adoption of new statutes or
policies and propose elimination of ineffective or inappropriate statutes and policies."
You will see in Table the goals and the related functions of social work as a discipline according
to Gibelman (1995). Note how these are applicable to the Philippine context.
The Core Values
The Filipino family is closely knit, that is why the Philippine society is highly familial in nature.
What other things characterize the Philippine society?
What aspects do Filipinos value the most? How does social work interplay with these attributes
of the
Philippine society?
Social welfare overlaps with other institutions such as family, education, religion, and politics, and
that much of the services it offers may be defined as "those systems of services and allied
occupations and professions that concentrate on improving or maintaining the physical and
mental health and general well-being of individuals, groups, or communities in a society" (Zastrow,
1996).
Social work scholar Alfred Kahn (as cited in Zastrow, 1996) enumerated four categories of social
services which people can avail:
•Personal services (casework, counseling, recreation, rehabilitation, religion, therapy)
•Protection services (consumer protection, corrections, courts, fire prevention/ firefighting,
housing-code enforcement, law enforcement, public health services)
•Information/advising services (consulting, consumer information, education, financial
counseling, hotlines, and library services)
•Maintenance services (childcare, institutional services, public welfare programs, etc.).
As the popular saying goes, "with great power comes great responsibility." Social workers
yield the power to make people's lives better. But when they exercise their power to help, social
workers are also bound to certain expectations of how they must conduct themselves when
performing their jobs.
There are virtues and core values of social work that are deeply rooted in the ethical principles of
the profession. The following table shows you a few of the most important values and ethical
principles promoted by the U.S. National Association of Social Workers.
The Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. explicitly provided in its Social Workers' Code
of Ethics the following principles and values:
•inherent dignity and worth of all persons
•natural and social rights, capacities, and responsibilities
•value of unity in diversity, individual differences, and pluralism in society
•free society
•growth and development of the individual, the family system, and the community
•social justice and political, economic, and social well-being of all people
•social workers as agents and advocates of change
•promotion of professionalism, responsibility, and accountability
•professional practice deeply rooted in cultural values
ESSENTIAL LEARNING
Social work is an act of paying forward. It is an act of extending kindness, generosity, and genuine
care for someone else's well-being. As defined by the International Association of Schools of
Social Work and International Federation of Social Workers.
Social work as a profession promotes social change, solves problems involving human
relationships, and empowers and liberates people from social problems.
Other professions such as nursing, occupational therapy, and other health and social care
professions demand the same set of skills required in social work such as effective
communication, flexibility and grace under pressure, critical thinking, genuine desire to learn and
help, and keen attention to detail.
Social work is a fruitful and fulfilling field as it rests on one's altruistic nature. In its most noble
sense, social work values human rights and social justice, and aims to help people who are
vulnerable enough to fully participate in society.
Appreciating the development of social work requires an understanding of the colonial and
political history of a country (in our case, the Philippines). It is through history that you understand
how social work has been relevant through time in the society. Known for being hospitable,
Filipinos have the potential to be effective social workers.
A social worker is inclusive, accommodative, respectful, sympathetic, and empathic. When you
become a social worker, you also become a "jack-of-all-trades" because you are expected to
cross several disciplines such as sociology, psychology, psychiatry, political science, economics,
cultural anthropology, and even health sciences.
A social worker is concerned in fulfilling the social, financial, health, and recreational requirements
of the members of your society. Social work has a close relationship with other social institutions
like family, education, religion, and politics.
Module 7: Professionals and Practitioners in Social Work
Each time a man stands up for an ideal, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out
against injustice, he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope... and crossing each other from a million
different centers of energy and daring those ripples build a current that can sweep down the
mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.
Robert F. Kennedy
Great things start from small beginnings, they say. Thus, even the smallest deeds
done for one person can create an impact to the rest of the world. You can perceive the
profession of social work in this way.
Social work may be voluntary or it may require an active engagement as a professional
social worker, either in the public and private spheres. After all, what is important is the
intention to serve those who are in need of social services, which you can provide or help get
access. These people in need are your clientele and audience. But how exactly can the
concept of "helping people" be understood in a more professional perspective? This can be
done by understanding what the purposes of social work are (Zastrow, 1996):
1. The promotion, restoration, maintenance, and enhancement of the functioning of
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities by helping them accomplish
tasks, prevent and alleviate distress, and use resources.
2. The planning, formulation, and implementation of social policies, services, resources, and
programs needed to meet basic human needs and support the development of human
capacities.
3. The pursuit of policies, services, resources, and programs through organizational or
administrative advocacy and social or political action, so as to empower groups at risk and
promote social and economic justice.
4. The development and testing of professional knowledge and skills related to these
purposes.
All these resonate one simple fact that there are people that may need help and that other
people can actually extend assistance to them. What exactly makes a person fit to become a
social worker? What are expected of these people when they provide help to others?
Who Is a Social Worker?
The words "help" and "assist" are roughly the operational words associated with
social work. A social worker is a person who helps clients and audiences in coping up with
their physical, mental, behavioral, or emotional problems. A social worker does not act on
impulse. Rather, the kind of service he or she extends to people is planned and systematic.
He or she first identifies the people who need assistance. Studying the environment and
analyzing the client's needs are two of the most basic things that a social worker must
perform. In other words, he or she must be able to understand the problem so as to assess
the possible solutions.
Social workers present to their clients the endless possibilities of getting through
challenges. This allows the reduction of stress on the part of the clients. The social worker
also counsels the clients by providing them hope for change and improvement. Social
workers research and refer clients to community resources. If in any case that the clients
are unable to transact with agencies on their own, social workers help them apply, so that the
clients could receive the corresponding benefits.
In times of crises, a social worker is expected to actively give aid to distressed and
vulnerable people. When these people are distraught and have a limited capacity to act for
themselves, the social worker, as an advocate, help them get the resources they need. Social
workers do not stop at providing help. They conduct follow-ups to ensure that the client's
condition or situation has actually improved. Follow-ups are also a way of evaluating if the
services provided were effective. Otherwise, the social worker must find ways on how to
improve the quality of his or her service or enhance the mechanism or mode of delivering the
service.
Big Idea: Social work calls for selflessness. In this profession, the client's well-being is the
number one priority and must be above all else. Social workers as professionals have a
mandate of ensuring that clients are not cast out of the system and that this very system
provides the necessary services for the people.
The Profession in the Philippine Context
"Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country," said
former U.S. President John F. Kennedy, perhaps one of the most brilliant statesmen in the
world. How do you understand this quote in relation to social work? If you will ponder on it, it
suggests that one's personal needs, motivations, and aspirations are equally important as
that of others. If one is in a privileged position to promote others' well-being, it becomes his
or her duty to the country to help other members of the society reach their full potentials. In
fact, the national moto of the Philippines states the Filipino core values of being “Maka-Diyos,
Maka-Tao, makakalikasan, at makabansa.” These vaues represent the duties of good
Filipino citizens.
A conscious effort of making social work more relevant in the Philippine society
was the formal institutionalization of the Department of Social Work at the University
of the Philippines (UP) Diliman in 1950. As stated in its official Web site, UP Department
of Social Work "aims to educate current and future social workers on integrative social work
practice anchored on critical and culturally relevant theoretical perspectives" with the strategic
goal of being a "center of excellence in social work education in Southeast Asia." The
department offers academic programs which are people-centered and are anchored on
practical realities of the social work profession. The academic unit, through its "active
role in the development of national standards for social work education," envisions its
graduates to be responsive and relevant in realizing the empowerment and social
transformation of members of the society.
Like any other profession, social work:
(1) institutionalizes and enforces a code of ethics and professional standards in social
work education;
(2) establishes specific roles for social workers, setting them apart from other social
service professions;
(3) protects and restricts the title of "social worker"; and
(4) gains public and governmental recognition in the form of licensing and setting a
level of qualification (Price, 2014).
Social work in the Philippines adheres to all of these considerations.
The professionalization of social work in the Philippines is also apparent through
university- level training. Several schools in the country offer undergraduate and graduate
programs in social work. An undergraduate degree in social work is typically taken in
four years. After earning the degree, passing the board examination for social workers
entitles one to become a registered practitioner in the field.
Since the 1960s, a national curriculum was being followed by social work programs in
different higher educational institutions in the country. The most recent version has been
developed by the National Association for Social Work Education (NASWE) and the
Philippine Association of Social Workers, Inc. (PASWI), and was approved by the
Commission on Higher Education in 2010 (CHED, 2010, as cited in Price, 2014). The
curriculum ensures a rigorous training and the students' adherence to different competency
expectations, such as the "helping process, critical understanding of discrimination and
oppression, knowledge of social policy, applied psychology and sociology, and the ability to
reflect critically and to make appropriate use of supervision" (Price, 2014).
Although prestige and remuneration are not as rewarding in the Philippines, social
workers, according to Price (2014), strive to improve the discipline's status and professional
image. With the formal institution of social work education in various colleges and universities
in the Philippines, we can see how relevant social work is as a profession in the country. The
graduates of social work move to become committed social workers and excel in various
fields of practice, both in the public and private sectors. The challenge at the moment is how
you, member of this generation, can actively choose social work as a potential career and
make the country from your strengths and abilities.
Big Idea: Social work as a profession is about the people and for the people. Social workers
always have in mind that they have greater responsibilities than those of ordinary
citizens, thus, they are expected to attain a reasonable degree of training and
professionalization in the practice.
Social Work as a Multi-skilled Profession
In order for social workers to effectively perform tasks, they have to (NASW, 1981, as cited
in Gibelman, 1995):
1. Listen to others with understanding and purpose.
2. Elicit information and assemble relevant facts to prepare a social history, assessment, and
report.
3. Create and maintain professional helping relationships.
4. Observe and interpret verbal and nonverbal behavior and use knowledge of personality
5. Engage clients, including individuals, families, groups, and communities, in efforts to
resolve their own problems and to gain trust.
6. Discuss sensitive emotional subjects supportively and without being threatening.
7. Create innovative solutions to clients' needs.
8. Determine the need to terminate the therapeutic relationship.
9. Conduct research or interpret the research findings and professional literature.
10. Mediate and negotiate between conflicting parties.
11. Provide inter-organizational liaison services.
12. Interpret and communicate social needs to funding sources, the public, or legislators.
Social Workers' Area of Specialization
The question "What do social workers do?" can be answered in different ways depending on
the context (Gibelman, 1995):
· Setting of the practice, area, and auspice of practice
· Characteristics of the clients
· Problems presented by the clients
· Level of practice
· Methodologies used in practice
The configuration of what social workers do "[varies] from one social worker to another
and [changes) for any one social worker over the course of his or her career" (Gibelman,
1995). Because there are many aspects that affect the practice, it would be easier to just
understand "where one works and with whom rather than what one does."
Social work is an applied social science. Why is this so? It is because social work is
a "diverse profession with fluid boundaries... carried out, for example, in medical, legal,
and school settings as well as in state governments and proprietary agencies" (Gibelman,
1995),
Unlike other specialized professions such as law and medicine, social work is wideranging. is expanding, and is often generalist, thus, making it difficult to describe.
However, Gibelman (1995) acknowledged that careers in social work are getting more
specialized, hence, giving social work students more options to choose from after graduation.
He further added that while students are certain to become social workers someday, they
generally have no idea where social workers are being employed and which kinds of things
do social workers undertake.
Even those who are already involved in the practice of social work may still find other
social work career options where they could shift in to
Big Idea: Social work in the Philippines is one which emphasizes the importance of
multitasking; thus, it is more appropriate to understand social work as a holistic practice rather
than a specialized discipline.
Training to Become a Social Worker
Becoming a social worker is not merely having the heart for it. You must be able to
set your mind and prepare your body for the rigors of the practice. Like any other
profession, there must be formal training and enough experience so that one could
satisfactorily perform the roles of a social worker. A baccalaureate degree in social work
is necessary.
In the Philippines, there are several schools that offer an undergraduate program in
social work. A master's degree in social work is optional, but you may opt to pursue this
in accredited schools or programs of social work after you have completed the requirements
of an undergraduate degree.
There are also platforms or opportunities that are highly related to social work, which
you may consider as stepping stones to the profession; this may include volunteer work in
your communities. You may also participate in existing government programs, such as
becoming a youth ambassador or a promoter of these programs to the stakeholders.
Also, all college students in the Philippines are required by law to enroll under the National
Service Training Program (NSTP) and move on to become a reservist of the National Service
Reserve Corps, whereby the state could call you for literacy and civic activities.
Barker (1995) characterized a social worker as a "graduate of a social work education
program at the baccalaureate or master's level who uses his or her knowledge and skills to
provide social services for clients (that include] individuals, families, groups, communities,
organizations, or society in general" (as cited in Gibelman, 1995).
Career Opportunities
Social work started as an occupation until it has evolved into a profession. It has
become so when the practice has been characterized by the following attributes (Gambrill
1997):
1. A systematic body of theory
2. Professional authority
3. The sanction of the community
4. A code of ethics
5. A professional culture
As professionals, social workers must be able to provide services with great
competence, high level of special knowledge and skills, and expertise in solving relevant
problems. Some of the employment settings where social workers may expected to be in may
involve direct services such as the following:
· foster care
· adoption
· probation and parole
· public assistance
· counseling
· services to single parents
· day care services
· school social services
· services to minority groups and to veterans
· recreational activities
· social services in a medical or mental hospital
· anti-poverty programs
· social services in nursing homes and other services to the elderly
· marital counseling
· drug and alcohol counseling
· services to the emotionally disturbed
· abortion counseling
· family planning services
· services to persons with a physical disability
· sexual counseling
· equal rights services
· protective services
· services in sheltered workshops
· research
· social action
· fund-raising
There are those who are employed for their "experience and advanced professional
training in social planning, community or organization, consultation, supervision, teaching,
and administration" (Zastrow, 1996).
If you were able to "sell" yourself during the interview and exhibit the necessary
confidence, skills, and competence necessary for the job you are applying for, then you
certainly have what it takes to thrive in the field of social work. There are also avenues through
which students could already engage in social work during their collegiate life some of which
are extracurricular activities on volunteer work or internships in social service
agencies.
Big Idea: A person who is dedicated to his or her craft exudes a level of confidence and
professionalism in the conduct of his or her job. A social worker is among the many
professionals who take their career seriously.
Areas of Social Work in a Glance
There is a wide array of choices of areas to engage in social work. A few of these
areas are listed as follows:
1. Child, family, and school social work
The kind of help that social workers extend in this area include reaching out and
rehabilitating children who have experienced trauma or abuse; counseling individuals who
are undergoing stress and anxiety due to depression or grief, or providing assistance to
parents who have a child suffering from a severe illness. The social worker is expected to
have a high degree of expertise in handling sensitive and fragile situations of children,
families, and students in school.
2. Community social work
The main task of a social worker who does community work is to assist in the effective
implementation of infrastructure building, volunteering, and fundraising efforts. Social workers
serve as links to community-based nonprofit organizations that help neighborhoods in times
of crisis and disasters.
3. Hospice and palliative care social work
Hospice and palliative care social workers provide assistance to those seriously or
terminally ill. Given the special circumstances of palliative care, social workers in this area
should be knowledgeable on how to provide relief from pain and other relevant services.
4. Medical and health social work
Social workers with a medical and health background and expertise are assigned in
places such as clinics and hospitals to help clients with emotional, financial, and physical
struggles caused by a medical condition. The social workers also assist these clients to
access the various benefits and privileges that they are entitled to.
5. Mental health and substance abuse social work
This is an area of social work where the main clients are individuals who struggle with
addiction, substance abuse, or mental health problems. Social workers provide assistance
and counseling to both the victims and their families by recommending to them solutions to
these issues.
6. Military and veterans social work
Social workers in this area are expected to provide assistance to military and combat
veterans by helping them overcome post-traumatic stress and slowly adjust to life and family
outside combat.
7. Psychiatric social work
Essentially, social workers in this area provide therapy and assess the psychiatric
health of clients. Social workers in this area coordinate with the client's family for the latter to
understand the situation's legal and clinical contexts, as well as the information as to where,
when, and how resources can be accessed to address the client's needs.
As you may have noticed, social work is a mesh of disciplines, skills, and motivations.
It only takes a certain degree of introspection and realization of which among the areas of
social work best suits your interests and abilities. At the end of the day, anyone has the
potential of "being" a social worker, but "becoming" one is a choice you make.
MODULE 8: CLIENTELLE AND AUDIENCES IN SOCIAL WORK
Social work is mandated to promote the welfare and well being of a society. Social works help
individuals, groups, families, organizations, and communities function more productively and
provide them with favorable conditions so as to achieve their goals (Zastrov 1996.)
More specifically, social workers according to Gibelman (1995)
1.Empower people to develop and to optimize their potential to solve and cope with problems.
2.Make available to people the resources and services in an effective and human manner.
3.Link people with systems that provide them with resources, services, and opportunities.
4.Contribute to the development and improvement of social policy
Contextualizing the Social Work Practice
Since social work is considered to be the only profession that has the responsibility to
mandate and provide social services, practitioners should be rigorously trained and must
acquire the expertise needed to provide the necesarry services to their clients
Social workers intervene to provide individuals, families, small groups, organizations,
neighborhoods, amd communities the service they need. The United States National
Association of Social Workers (1981) noted the following attributes of social work.
1.Well organized application of the knowledge and skill used .
2.Practiced in different levels and context. through organized network of professional social
workers.
3.Observe ethical norms established by professions of the same sanction of society.
4.Carried out in cooperation with other helping disciplines of organization.
Social workers also need to evaluate themselves through a strength, weaknesses, and
opportunities, and threats (SWOT) analysis to better gauge their ability and limitations in
addressing clients problems.
Social workers practice their profession through their clientele and audience. These
according to Gibelman and Schervish (1193), Include the following:
-Children
-Community
-Family services
-Corrections
-Group Services
-Medical Clinics
-Mental Health
- Public Assistance
-School social work
-Aged
-Substance abusers
-Mental Development disabilities
-Other disabilities
-Occupied Social Work
Module 8: Clientele and Audience of Social work
Some people may not find it easy to seek help from experts. Often, family members or friends
bridge the would-be client and the social worker. But there are also situations where
individuals seeks help from strangers, rather than from friends or relatives, to avoid being
judged, humiliated, or ridiculed. (Gambrill, 1997)
When these people gain confidence and openness in seeking help, they approach “clergy”
leaders, indigenous healers, and even hairdressers or bartenders-people who employ
strategies used by professional helpers. (Gambrill, 1997)
Client versus Applicant
Not everyone who approaches a social worker is considered a Client. Strictly speaking, a
client, according to Gambrill (1997), is someone who makes an explicit agreement with a
social worker about the purpose of their work together.
At times, some social workers fail to understand why some people are reluctant to heed
advice or recommendation in solving a problem. The social worker and clientele must be a
good match, so that the two could find a solution to the problem at hand.
The goals of the client and social worker, as shown in the table, should be compatible.
Clients goals
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Obtain help with problems
Preserve self respect
Limit invasions of privacy
Satisfy need for dependance and nurturance
Seek assurance that nothing is wrong
Social worker’s Goals
-
Establish and maintain an area of expertise
Use expertise
Make money
Demonstrate competence
Serve others
Addressing the needs of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities
Social work with individuals - Many social workers are exposed to dealing with individuals
in public or private institutions or in private practice. Social workers help individuals on a oneon-one basis to resolve personal and social problems. Social workers must be able to provide
a skilled and personal service to the client.
Social work with families - The family is regarded as the most BASIC UNIT in Philippine
society. Families are close-knit, thus the welfare of one member of the family concerns other
members. Helping one member means helping the entire family. Family problems may be
referred to social services through counseling or family therapy.
Social work with groups. Social workers provide help to groups through various types of
settings (Zastrow, 1996).
1. Social conversation groups - These are groups formed by people who have similar
experiences who would like to share their experiences to each other for introspection and for
assistance.
2. Recreation groups - Members of these groups participate in activities for enjoyment and
exercise.
3. Recreational-Skill-Group - These are task-oriented groups led by an adviser, coach, or
instructor so that members can develop a set of skills, while at the same time enjoying
recreation activities.
4. Education groups - Almost similar to recreational-skill, education groups also require
development of knowledge and more complex skills.
5. Task groups - These are instructional rather than recreational groups that are assigned
with a specific task or objectives.
6. Problem-solving-decision-making groups - These groups are given scenarios similar to
their own, which they need ro process and come up with various solutions.
7. Self-help groups - These are groups composed of volunteer members within the same
socioeconomic backgrounds, who come together to solve common problems through selfmutual help.
8. Socialization groups - These groups are meant to make members attitudes and behavior
more socially acceptable through social skills development, increase of self-confidence and
improvement of planning abilities.
9. Therapy groups - Members of these groups provide counsel for those with severe
emotional or personal problems.
10. Sensitivity groups - The main goal of these groups is to improve interpersonal
awareness by making people relate to one another in an intimate manner and self-disclosure
through group experiences.
Social work with organizations. In organizations, people work together to accomplish task
and achieve goals that cannot be achieved by an individual.
Social work with community. Some social workers doing community practice apealing so
they would rather deal directly with individuals. Some also think that there are less rewards
and exciting prospects in doing community social work.
Community practice - also knows as social planning, community planning, locality
government, locality development, community action, social action, macro practice,
community organization or community development-can be defined as “the process of
stimulating and assisting the local community to evaluate, plan, and coordinate, to provide for
the communities health.
When one engages in community practices, he becomes more involved with various issues
in society, Other disciplines provide training in community practice including COMMUNITY
PSYCHOLOGY, URBAN AND REGIONAL PLANNING, HEALTH PLANNING,
CORRECTIONS PLANNING, RECREATION AND PUBLIC ADMINISTRATIONS.
MODULE 9: Setting, Processes, Methods, and Tools in Social Work
“Ang tunay na kabanalan ay ang pagkakawang-gawa, ang pag-ibig sa kapwa at ang isukat
ang bawat kilos, gawa't pangungusap sa talagang katuwiran. (Genuine virtue consists of
being charitable, loving one's fellow men and being judicious in behavior, speech, and deed.”
- Emilio Jacinto
There are various practice settings and levels where social workers provide services. These
practice settings refer to places where social workers are usually employed. If one day, you
aspire to become a social worker, you will find yourself in these practice settings where you
can make a great impact on the lives of the clients.
Based on Gibelman (1995), social work can be understood in the light of the following:
1. As a field of practice, social work involves looking after the physical welfare or mental
health of a client. The social worker is expected to monitor the client's situation and to assist
other health providers in assuring that the client's problems are being attended to.
2. As a setting for practice, social work provides the venue where social workers go to
practice their profession. This may include community mental health, schools, or courts. 3.
As a type of agency, social work is defined based on the nature of the social welfare institution
that a social worker is affiliated with, such as nonprofit organizations or government agencies.
4. As a function performed, social work may be in the form of a direct service to a client or
a service that involves merely supervising the link between the client and an organization that
provides the service.
5. As a client-oriented institution, social work is understood based on the client population
being served. It is necessary for a social worker to know which strategies to employ in
addressing the problems of his or her client(s). These clients can be homeless people,
children with learning disabilities, or chronically or mentally ill people.
6. As a method, social work' s approach is dependent on what kind of client or audience
(social group work, casework, or community work) a social worker must help.
7. As a goal for practice, social work identifies the particular mandate or function a social
worker must primarily fulfill, or the exact role he or she must perform in the process of helping
a client. These goals may include prevention, problem resolution, and symptom alleviation.
8. As a form of service, social work provides a range of tasks or services that social workers
are trained to apply in practice, such as marital therapy, case management, and discharge
planning.
9. As an indicator of a problem, social work identifies the type of problem at hand so that
the social worker could identify the specific strategy to be employed to address such issue.
BIG IDEA: Social workers are found in different settings and are engaged in processes that
facilitate the improvement of their clients ' and audiences ' lives.
Gibelman (1995) added that "social workers deal with social issues that cut across the broad
spectrum of problems that affect individuals, groups, and communities [and that these]
problems include civil and legal rights, economic status and poverty, employment, rural and
urban issues, and problems unique to special populations. "
Social work usually follows a problem-solving approach when dealing with issues of
individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities (Zastrow, 1996). The approach
involves the following steps:
1. Identify as precisely as possible the
problem(s) of the client.
2. Generate possible alternative solutions
to the issue or problem of the client.
3. Evaluate the alternative solutions.
4. Select the solution(s) to be used and set
goals, making sure the client is set as well
to help himself or herself.
5. Implement the solution(s).
6. Follow up to evaluate how the solution(s)
worked.
BIG IDEA: Like any other process, a social worker must apply a systematic and organized
approach in dealing with situations, especially in sensitive cases and those which must be
dealt with utmost care.
These steps are observed by so-called generalist social workers (those who do not
specialize in a particular area or setting of the practice) when they "assess and intervene with
the problems confronting individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities"
(Zastrow, 1996).
There are three levels in social work practice:
The first is the micro level where the social worker deals with an individual on a one-to-one
basis.
The second is the mezzo level where the social worker deals with families and other small
groups.
Finally, the macro level is where a social worker deals with organizations and communities,
or where a social worker seeks changes in laws and social policies.
Activities Provided by Social Workers
-
When working with individuals, groups, families, organizations and communities,
social workers may be engaged in any of following professional social work activities.
1. Casework refers to the particular case that a social worker is attending to. Social workers
are given casework to be handled, and this involves an individual who needs to be addressed
on a one-to-one basis. The social worker will meet this individual (who becomes the client) to
sort any personal or social problems that the latter is contending with. The casework, which
involves studying the facts and matters of the case the social worker is handling, can provide
insights as to how the client may be able to adjust to his or her condition(s). The social worker
assists the client in getting through the social and economic pressures he or she is under.
You would normally expect that social welfare agencies are at the forefront in offering
direct social services to individuals. Some of the activities that encompass social casework
include:
● counseling runaway youths
● helping unemployed people secure
training or employment
● counseling a suicidal person
● placing a homeless child in an
adoptive or foster home
● providing protective services to
abused children and their families
● finding nursing homes for stroke
victims who no longer require
hospitalization
● counseling individuals with sexual
dysfunctions
● helping alcoholics to acknowledge
that they have drinking problems
● counseling those with a terminal
illness
● serving as probation or parole
officer
● providing services to single parents
● working in medical and mental
hospitals as a member of a
rehabilitation team
2. Case Management. There are social workers that perform case management rather than
casework. Caseworkers and case managers undertake almost the same nature of tasks, but
the latter have more " extensive knowledge of community resources, rights of clients, and
policies and procedures of various agencies and [are more] skillful in mediation and advocacy
" (Zastrow, 1996). Case managers also help disenfranchised clients in accessing the needed
resources provided by organizations. These managers facilitate the delivery of social services
in the fastest and most efficient way as possible.
Case managers plan, seek, and monitor services from agencies and staff on behalf of
the client. Agencies assign a case manager to a particular client, and this manager, in turn,
coordinates with other service providers. The case manager makes sure that the resources
and services are availed for the client. Several case managers may work together so that
their efforts in resolving the client' s issues would be well-coordinated. This professional
teamwork among case managers expands the range of services offered to clients.
3. Group Work. Group activities are good opportunities for clients to hone their emotional,
intellectual, and social skills. Group work, when used in the context of social work, is not
necessarily meant to be therapeutic. It aims to improve socialization, facilitate exchange of
information, and decrease delinquency. Group work is also an opportunity for recreation, for
cultivating human virtues, for improving relationships among cultural and racial groups, or for
facilitating smooth transition periods such as that which can be seen in the process of child
adoption.
4. Group therapy fosters healthy social, behavioral, and emotional adjustment among
clients. The clients participate in group therapy to address their emotional, interactional, or
behavioral difficulties through one-to-one counseling with a counselor.
5. Family Therapy. Families with interactional, behavioral, and emotional problems undergo
this type of group therapy. Among the usual issues that make families seek this kind of
therapy include child interaction problems, marital conflicts, and conflicts with grandparents.
Families also seek counseling for problems involving disagreements between parents and
children on choice of friends, drinking and other drug use, domestic tasks, curfew hours,
communication problems, sexual values and behavior, study habits and grades received, and
courtship issues (Zastrow, 1996).
6. Community Organization. Communities are being assisted by social workers so that they
would be able to attend its members ' health, welfare, and recreational needs. Social workers
who are involved in looking after different communities are often called community organizers.
They are tasked to encourage and motivate citizens to participate in the maintenance of the
community ' s welfare and well-being.
Community organizers also coordinate among agencies for other related services,
thus, they are also engaged in tasks related to public relations, public education, research,
and planning, Community organizers are regarded as resource persons and motivators for
action among the community ' s members.
One would normally see social workers doing community organization in settings such
as community welfare councils, social planning agencies, health planning councils, and
community action agencies (Zastrow, 1996). Other terms that are associated with community
organization are social planning, program development, policy development, and macro
practice.
7. Administration. A social worker doing administrative work usually heads and directs the
entire social service agency. According to Zastrow (1996), a social work administrator is
expected mainly to:
● set agency and program objectives
and analyze social conditions in the
community;
● make decisions relating to what
services will be provided;
● administer financial affairs;
● hire and supervise staff members
as well as set up an organizational
structure;
● secure funds for the agency ' s
operations;
● coordinate efforts to achieve
selected goals;
● monitor
and
revise
internal
procedures in order to improve
effectiveness and efficiency: and
● perform relevant functions required
to transform social policy into social
services.
Doing Social Work in the Philippines There is a wide range of opportunities for social workers
to practice their profession in the Philippines. According to Price (2014), these opportunities
include working for national and/or international nongovernmental organizations, local or
national agencies, charitable institutions, or faith-based organizations.
Social workers may opt to engage in child welfare protection, family support, geriatrics (or
caring for elderly), women concerns, or addressing the interests of differently abled
individuals. Social workers can also be involved in disaster and risk reduction management,
community development, and advocacies or social actions.
In the Philippines, the usual workplaces for social workers are in "private companies, military
contexts, private and public hospitals, courts, statutory and non-statutory welfare institutions,
schools, and church-based services [and the clients in these settings may be particular
groups within the population, such as street children, farmers, the urban poor, of migrant
workers" (Price, 2014).
Social Work Organizations Department of Social Welfare and Development
1. The Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is the primary government
agency in the country that is tasked to ensure the protection of social welfare rights and the
promotion of social development. Its direct social work functions are delegated to local
government units. DSWD gives employment to social workers, who organize and look after
the programs, trainings, and social research in the entire country.
2. NATIONAL COUNCIL OF SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT (NCSD) FOUNDATION OF THE
PHILIPPINES, INC. The NCSD is a nongovernmental and advocacy organization established
in 1949. Then known as the Council of Welfare Agencies in the Philippines, it marked the
beginning of nongovernmental organization (NGO) networks in the country after it initially
started as a way to cope with the turmoil that the country faced following the Second World
War. It is duly licensed and accredited by the Department of Social Welfare and Development
and is an accredited NGO by the Philippine Council for NGO Certification. NCSD has been
in service for six decades. It has influenced change in national policies and development
programs through its network of social services and social development
agencies/organizations.
3.International Federation of Social Workers The International Federation of Social
Workers (IFSW) is "a global organization striving for social justice, human rights, and social
development through the promotion of social work, best practice models, and the facilitation
of international cooperation. " It has about 116 member- countries which it helps by "providing
a global voice for the profession. "
International Federation of Social Workers Granting a Special Consultative Status to
IFSW, the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations and the United Nations
Children's Emergency Fund (UNICEF) recognized IFSW's importance and contribution. The
IFSW is also working closely with other global agencies such as the World Health
Organization, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, and the
Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights.
MODULE 10: Social Work Services, Processes, and Methods
It is a useless life that is not consecrated to a great ideal. It is like a stone wasted in the field
without becoming part of an edifice. (El Filibusterismo) - Dr. Jose P. Rizal
As long as there are problems that plague society, social workers will always be relevant in
the lives of people.
A single body part that is sick will still make the rest of the body feel and react to the ailing
portion. Following this logic, a neglected, uncared for, marginalized, or disenfranchised
member of society significantly affects the entire community or society. It is important to note,
however, that social problems are inevitable because these inequities keep the world in
constant balance.
Other Areas of Professional Activity in Social Work
A social worker may also find himself or herself working as a researcher, consultant,
supervisor, planner, program and policy developer, or as a college instructor. Aside from
possible employment in social service agencies, social workers can provide counseling,
psychotherapy, or group therapy with corresponding professional fees. The social worker is
remunerated with professional fees in the same way that a physician in private practice is
remunerated for his or her professional services. Social issues are both local and global in
scope. Despite differences in culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and orientation, the need to
promote social welfare and well-being is an Inherent human attribute
Concerns and Scope of Social Work around the World An imbalance in a society
occurs when the following circumstances are becoming prevalent:
(1) the gap between the privileged and less fortunate is exponentially widening;
(2) the stigma on mental illnesses is getting stronger;
(3) crime rate is increasing even under the rule of law and order;
(4) the dissolution of the family is rampant; or
(5) violence in families is becoming " acceptable." There are social problems that are now
achieving a certain normalcy-a trend that is disturbing to at least some cultures and peoples
of the world.
There are social problems that are now achieving a certain normalcy-a trend that is disturbing
to at least some cultures and peoples of the world. Births outside of marriage are on the rise,
thus confounding family dynamics and relationships; more people acquire HIV-AIDS due to
unsafe sexual practices; cases of rape and incidences of drug abuse are increasing, workers
are being stienaled from traditional workplaces; terrorism has become rampant; and various
forms of racism and sexism still continues.
●
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Social Problems and Social Services
Poverty and public welfare
Emotional problems and counseling
Family problems and services to families
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Sexual orientation, sex variances, and sex therapy
Drug abuse and drug treatment programs
Crime, juvenile delinquency, and correctional services
Problems in education and school
Work-related problems
Racism, ethnocentrism, and strategies for advancing social and economic justice
Sexism and efforts for achieving equality
Aging and gerontological services
Medical problems and medical social service
Physical and mental disabilities and rehabilitation
Overpopulation, misuse of the environment, and family planning
These areas pertain to fundamental human concerns on health, safety, social justice,
economic development, and other matters affecting culture and society. Thus, a social worker
is essentially involved in such areas as a promoter of cultural and social development.
The social work change process involves several key steps. It begins with identifying issues
and concerns, followed by gathering and analyzing relevant data. Social workers assess the
situation and determine appropriate services or referrals. Plans are then formulated with
defined goals in consultation with the client, including outlining alternative interventions if
needed. Action steps are taken, employing various measures such as research-based
knowledge or technology. Upon providing services, a SWOT analysis is conducted to
evaluate the process, enabling social workers to learn and improve for future cases.
Professionalization of Social Work Practice in the Philippines: The Case of PASWI
(PASWI) paved the way to the professionalization of social work practice in the Philippines.
Its membership is composed of social workers practicing in various settings and catering to
various clients and contexts.
The PASWI lobbied the passage of Republic Act 4373, a law which regulates the practice of
social work and the operation of social work agencies in the Philippines. The law was enacted
on 19 June 1965. In 1967, the law was amended through the enactment of RA 5175. The
amendments, according to social work educator Edwin I. Lariza, included the "protection of
the rights of social workers holding provisional appointment for the past five years at the time
of the passage of the law. " RA 5175 also provided that the graduates of a four-year Social
Work undergraduate degree program can proceed to a graduate program on Social Work
and eventually take the board examination after finishing the master's degree.
Since PASWI values and promotes a high sense of professionalism in the practice of social
work, it must also uphold a professional standard of social work practice to achieve its
objectives. Through the organization's thrust, the PASWI played a pivotal role in the
professionalization of social work in the Philippines. To better understand the purpose of
PASWI, you may check its organizational objectives at http://www.paswi-national .org/?fileabout-us/vision-mission (last accessed on 25 July 2016).
Social Worker Stereotypes
Being a social worker is no easy task. Stereotypes toward a certain profession are developed
among people who do not understand the work practice. Some people regard social workers
to be moralistic upper-middle-class people who barely understand the plight of their clients.
Some think of social workers to be obnoxious, intrusive, and invasive of private affairs.
However, through time, there has been a changing perception toward social workers, and
social work practice is gaining a more positive image due to the more professional nature of
training and services provided by social work practitioners.
In the United States alone, there are several stereotypes identified by Melvin Glasser that
certain segments of the population hold toward the practice of social work. The following are
some of these (Zastrow, 1996):
● The social worker is a kind, warm, generous, helpful person who makes it possible for
people to live richer, more satisfying lives.
● The social worker is a frustrated maiden who meddles in other people's business.
● The social worker is a knowledgeable, dedicated crusader for the needs of all people,
particularly the underprivileged. The social worker is a radical whose real underlying
motive is to bring about change in the social order.
● The social worker is a hard-hearted, denying administrator of rules and regulations
who checks on people to see that they do not cheat the agency.
● The social worker is a professional whose training and experience enable him or her
to help with a wide range of problems people have in everyday living.
Stereotypes can be counterproductive as they predetermine the roles and capacities of
professionals. In the case of social workers, it becomes more challenging for them to reach
out and extend some help because of the perceptions prospective clients have of them. Social
workers are trained professionals and are characterized to be very sympathetic and empathic,
which are indicators of good interpersonal or social skills. Social work is as noble as any
profession because of its ultimate goal of helping clients and audiences become efficient,
effective, and selfsustaining members of the society.
Society is like an organism; even if only a single part of it is ailing, the rest still feels the pain.
Such an analogy may be related with the practice of social work. The inevitability of social
problems makes social workers always relevant in people's lives. Self-preservation and selfactualization, being inherent in human beings, must be considered when examining social
issues on culture, race, ethnicity, gender, and orientation, which may be local or global in
scope.
Social problems create more opportunities for social work practice both in the local and
international context. Organizations help provide this opportunity by building networks and
communities of experts for solidarity and camaraderie.
Social work concerns itself with improving people's lives. In order to bring change, a social
worker takes part in the improvement and development of people's lives, and this they do
through an organized process.
Despite the noble practice of social work, there are still stereotypes toward this career.
Common stereotypes about social work must be studied and understood in order to help
improve one's own social work practice and change negative impressions.