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
2
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)
3

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)
4
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
5
Person & Environment
Social Functioning

To increase the social functioning of
individuals, groups & communities
through actions which focus on the
social relations
6
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
7
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
8
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
9
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)
10
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.
11
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
12
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
13
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)
14
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
15
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.
16
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.
17
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
18
Social Work Primary Roles

Rehabilitation

Resources provision

Prevention of inadequate social
functioning
19
The Social Worker’s roles

Broker

Enabler

Empowerment

Educator

Mediator

Advocator
20