Basic Values of Social Work Dr. Yael Geron Israel
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Transcript Basic Values of Social Work Dr. Yael Geron Israel
Basic Values of
Social Work
Dr. Yael Geron
Israel
Basic Assumptions of Social Work
The centrality of the human being
Personal familial & communal problems are
the result of human interactions with others
Problems can facilitated & enrich human life
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Social work Practice Definitions
“The linkages and interactions between
people and resources systems and the
problems to be faced in the functioning of
both individuals and systems.”
Pincus & Minahan (1973)
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Reducing the incompatibility between
people needs and existing social resources
(Rosenfeld 1985)
An art, science and profession which helps
people solving personal, family and
community problems
Help people reach satisfying personal,
interpersonal and communal relations
(Skydmore 1991)
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Purpose of Social Work Practice
Pincus & Minahan(1973)
Enhance the problem - solving and coping
capacity of people
Link people with systems - resources,
services & opportunities
Promote the system’s effective and human
operations
Development & improvement of social policy
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Person & Environment
Social Functioning
To increase the social functioning of
individuals, groups & communities
through actions which focus on the
social relations
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The System Theory in Social Work
(General System Theory Bertalanffy,1971)
Each system is compounded of:
Sub - systems
Boundaries - open & close
Feedback loops - input output
Homeostasis - change - preservation
Non - summativity - the whole is more than the
sum of its parts
Reciprocity - change in one component affects
the whole system
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The Ecological Systems Theory
(Germain&Gitterman,1980)
People constantly adapting in an
interchange with different aspects of the
environment
Reciprocal adaptation - developing
through change and support by the
environment
Social problems pollute the social
environment reducing the possibility of
reciprocal adaptation
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The Ecological Systems Theory (Conti.)
Living systems must maintain a good
fit with the environment
Appropriate inputs (information, food,
resources etc.) are needed to maintain
and develop ourselves
Problems - arise from maladaptive life
space of people
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The Ecological Systems Theory
Problems in the fit between needs and capacities
Life Transitions
(Developmental changes, status and role changes)
Environmental pressures
(Unequal opportunities, harsh organizations)
Interpersonal processes
(Inconsistent expectations, exploitation)
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The Ecological Systems Theory
Interactions people – environment
resource systems
Informal resource systems
Family friends, neighbors etc.
Formal resource systems
Organizations, union committee, associations etc.
Societal resource systems
Hospitals, schools, police, occupational services etc.
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Social Work Aims
System & Ecological Theory
To strengthen the adaptive capacity of people
Problem solving capacities, establishing linkages to
resource systems
To influence people environment towards more
adaptive transactions
Facilitating interactions with resource systems,
influencing social policy
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Social Work Frame of Reference
Performing life tasks
Rehabilitation, new parenthood
Interacting with resource systems
Family and marital problems, disabled children etc.
Relating to public issues
Elderly people, retarded children, children in distress
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Social Work’s Hierarchy of Solutions
(Rosenfeld, 1985)
1. Help people to use their inner resources
2. Help people to use their informal social
resources (family, friends etc.)
3. Activate formal and general social sources
(Legislation, social & organizational policy)
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Social Work Ideology
Basic Values (Nasw)
1. The individual is the primary concern of
society
2. There is interdependence between individuals
in society
3. Individuals have social responsibility for one
another
4. There are human needs common to each
person, yet each person is essentially unique
and different from each other
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Social Work’s Values
(conti.)
5. An essential attitude of democratic society
is the realization of the full potential of each
individual, and the assumption of his social
responsibility through active participation
in society
6. Society has the responsibility to provide
ways in which obstacles to the self
realization can be overcome or prevented.
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The Primary Values of Social Work
1. Society has an obligation to ensure that
people have access to the resources,
services and opportunities they need to
meet various life tasks, alleviate distress
and realize their aspirations and values.
2. In providing social resources, the dignity
and individuality of people should be
respected.
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Specific Values in Social Work Practice
Respect the client
Maximize clients’ self determination
Non judgmental attitude
Observe the confidenentiality of the client
Honesty in dealing with the client
Partnership in client – social worker relations
Respect cultural differences
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Social Work Primary Roles
Rehabilitation
Resources provision
Prevention of inadequate social
functioning
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The Social Worker’s roles
Broker
Enabler
Empowerment
Educator
Mediator
Advocator
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