Chapter 1 - Overview of the Profession

Question 1

Define “welfare state”.

Answer 1

A system of government whereby the state actively undertakes to protect the health and well-being of its citizens, especially those in financial need

Question 2

What are the 2 key elements of a welfare state?

Answer 2

1. the use of the powers invested in the government to provide essential SOCIAL SERVICES to citizens
2. the use of grants, taxes, pensions, and other programs to provide basic INCOME SECURITY

Question 3

What are “social services”, and what system are they a part of?

Answer 3

Social services are 1 of 2 components in a welfare state

They are non-monetary personal or community services such as daycare, housing, crisis intervention, and support groups provided by the state and non-profit organizations

Question 4

What is “income security” and what system is it a component of?

Answer 4

Income security is 1 of 2 components in a welfare state

It is the form of social insurance, social assistance, and income supplementation that can be unconditional or based on an income or needs test; it can also be provided through the tax system

Question 5

Define “social policies”.

Answer 5

The overall rules and regulations, laws, and other administrative directives that set the framework for state social welfare activity (ex. universal medicare is a social policy that the Canadian government is committed to)

Question 6

Define “social programs”.

Answer 6

Specific initiatives that follow from and implement social welfare policies (ex. offering incentives to new doctors for moving to outlying areas is a program that supports the policy of universal medicaid)

Question 7

What are the 2 classes of welfare programs in Canada, and what are the 2 subclasses?

Answer 7

1. Public welfare
2. Private welfare
   2a. Non-profit organizations
   2b. For-profit organizations

Question 8

Describe public welfare services.

Answer 8

• Provided by the 3 levels of government
• Agencies are created and charged with delivering income security/social services on behalf of the government
• “Public” non-government agencies are creations of the government, but they are uniquely independent or quasi-independent from the government’s own agencies

Question 9

Describe private welfare services.

Answer 9

• Funded by charitable donations, fees from service users, or funds spent by corporations to provide services to their employees
• Split into Non-Profit (often registered, rules and regulations govern their operations; often receive funds from government, and government is moving more towards this non-unionized, lower-cost option)…
• or For-Profit (provide services for a fee and generate a profit for the owner; pensions, insurance, nursing homes, psychotherapy, child care, etc.)

Question 10

Name and define the 2 approaches to social welfare provision.

Answer 10

Residual view: social welfare is a limited response to human need, implemented only when the 2 “natural” ways that individuals’ needs are met (family and the market economy) fail; benefits are targeted to those in most need and are typically low so as to discourage abuse

Institutional view: social welfare exists to ensure that everyone has a reasonable standard of living and health; access to income supports and social services promotes a sense of civic solidarity and helps eve out inequalities

Question 11

What is the difference between universal and selective programs?

Answer 11

Universal programs: available to everyone in a specific category on the same terms and as a right of citizenship, regardless of income/financial situation

Selective programs: target those who are found to be eligible or in need (based on a means/income OR needs test)

Question 12

What is the difference between a means/income test and a needs test? What are they used for?

Answer 12

These tests are used to determine eligibility for selective programs.

Means/income test: determines eligibility based on the income of the prospective recipient; the benefit is reduced according to income level and there is always a level in which no benefit is granted

Needs test: determines eligibility based on the income and need of the prospective recipient; eligibility criteria are used to define need, which is then compared to the prospective recipient’s life situation

Question 13

What are the 2 main types of social work?

Answer 13

Direct social work: involves working face-to-face with people to provide services; usually done through a public/publicly-funded agency or institution

Indirect social work: involves working with organizations that formulate, analyze, develop, and evaluate social policies and programs; usually done with social service agencies, research groups, and other groups who advocate for those in need

Question 14

What is a caseworker?

Answer 14

The traditional notion of a social worker; a practitioner doing one-on-one counselling with individuals or families, usually working as part of a social service agency

Question 15

What is the difference between a social worker and a social service worker?

Answer 15

Social workers: diagnostic services (making a series of judgements as to the nature of a situation and formulating the actions to be taken/not taken) are within their purview; they will be held accountable for these decisions

Social Service Workers: follow a suggested course of action based on a diagnosis; SSW programs are shorter and do not allow for the same breadth and depth of interpersonal and social theory to be taught

Question 16

What are the ABCs of self-care?

Answer 16

Awareness: knowing yourself, your needs, and your limits; knowing your healthy and unhealthy coping mechanisms as well as your triggers will assist you in applying coping techniques

Balance and Boundaries: finding a balance between work, play, rest, and home activities; enjoying set times each day where you detach yourself from work

Consultation and Connection: consulting with colleagues, supervisors, and/or other supports when you are in doubt about a troubling issue

Question 17

What are the 3 kinds of difficulties that individuals and families may face?

Answer 17

1. Economic survival: retirement, unemployment, decreasing income, rising cost of living, etc.
2. Integrity of the person: disability, illness, violence, homelessness, substance use,discrimination, war, death, etc.
3. Survival of the family: separation, divorce, care of aging family members, additional children, etc.

Question 18

What are the 3 levels of social work?

Answer 18

1. Micro (individuals and families)
2. Mezzo (groups and communities)
3. Macro (improving/changing laws an policies with organizations and communities)

Question 19

What are the 4 key concepts in the CASW definition of social work?

Answer 19

1. Social change/social justice
2. Problem solving
3. Person in environment
4. Empowerment

Question 20

What are the 3 main aspects of empowerment-based social work?

Answer 20

1. Working to equalize the power imbalance between client and social worker
2. Giving clients experiences in which they themselves are in control
3. Supporting the client’s efforts

Question 21

What body accredited Canadian social work school before the early 1970s? After?

Answer 21

Before: American Council of Social Work Education

After: Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE)

Question 22

What is the difference between a professional association and a union?

Answer 22

Professional association (ex. CASW): represents social workers on issues pertaining to the development of the profession, education of members, and social issues/social policy

Union (ex. CUPE): represents social workers in the areas of pay and working conditions; help raise salaries, improve working conditions, and enhance job security

Question 23

What has allowed social worker salaries to rise?

Answer 23

The establishment of regulatory bodies which regulate and control qualifications necessary to enter the profession (credibility)

Question 24

What has prompted the sharp rise in social workers in the last decade?

Answer 24

An expansion in the range of services taken on by social workers and the growing intensity of needs

Question 25

Define “decolonial”.

Answer 25

The critical analysis and practical options that arise from critiquing and separating from the colonial matrix of power; decolonial thinking/doing requires use to analyze the social, political, and economic incentives behind settler society in Canada

Question 26

What is “decolonial pedagogy”?

Answer 26

The assertion of traditional knowledge and tribal wisdom as the theoretical, philosophical, and practice bases for social work education

Question 27

Describe the beginning of Indigenous social work in Canada.

Answer 27

• A response to elders’ call for social work that was relevant to Indigenous peoples, as Western-trained social workers would likely not be able to meet their needs
• The first Indigenous social work programs began around the same time in the 1970s (First Nations University of Canada)
• CASWE moved in 2015 that all schools of social work must have Indigenous social work classes

Question 28

What are the 2 key principles of Indigenous epistemology?

Answer 28

1. The Ethic of Relationality: the recognition of our commonality as humans and our connectedness to all life forms; the responsibility to treat others and the world in a way we would treat our closest relative
2. The Ethic of Reciprocity: the concept of balance through giving and receiving; aiming to maintain balance in the physical, metaphysical, and spiritual realms in order to maintain wellness/harmony; accepting our responsibilities within this universal family by living our lives in a harmonious/moral manner

Question 29

What are the 6 key values of the CASW Code of Ethics?

Answer 29

1. Respect for the inherent dignity and worth of persons
2. Pursuit of social justice
3. Service to humanity
4. Integrity of professional practice
5. Confidentiality in professional practice
6. Competence in professional practice

Question 30

What are the steps for ethical decision making?

Answer 30

1. Identify the key ethical issues in the situation
2. Identify the relevant ethical guidelines within your province’s/territory’s social work code of ethics, or any employer-based ethical guidelines
3. Identify which ethical principles are of major importance in this particular situation and which are not
4. Acknowledge and examine your own emotions and clues
5. Outline an action plan that is appropriate for the situation

Question 31

Define “managerialism”.

Answer 31

The “social control” aspect of social work; may cause a mismatch between the initial good intentions one had going into the field and what the real-life experience is

Question 32

What are the 3 types of stress symptoms?

Answer 32

1. Intrusion symptoms (recurrent dreams, repetitive thoughts)
2. Avoidance symptoms (social isolation, avoidance of high-stress situations)
3. Arousal symptoms (anxiety, irritability)

Question 33

What is something that can offset stress and enhance job satisfaction?

Answer 33

Feelings as though you are part of a community: attending conferences/workshops, working in a smaller community, etc.

Question 34

Even though social work jobs can look very different, they can all be called social work because they conform to the core elements of the profession. Name the 3 core elements.

Answer 34

1. CASW code of ethics
2. Understanding the broader theories of social work
3. History of social work

Question 35

When did social work as a profession begin?

Answer 35

The 1800s, after the Industrial Revolution due to its many economic and social changes

Question 36

When was the rise of professionalism (formal training, regulation, etc.) for social work?

Answer 36

The early 1900s

Question 37

On which traditional territory are we learning?

Answer 37

The territory of the Missisauge Anishnaabeg, close to the Curve Lake First Nation

Question 38

What are some factors related to practitioner stress/wellbeing?

Answer 38

• Managerialism (mismatch between one’s role as “social control” and their initial good intentions)
• Critical incidents at work
• Low employee morale

Question 39

What is the difference between disability and impairment?

Answer 39

Impairment: physical or neurological manifestations

Disability: what society creates as barriers in the environment

Question 40

Although the Federal government has never apologized for the 60s scoop, which provincial government did? In what year?

Answer 40

Alberta - 2015