SSW Profession Flashcards
Social Work Practice is focused on..
1) Interconnectedness
2) Interdependence
3) Power of social relationships
What are the purposes of Social Work?
1) To help people improve their social functioning
2) To create social conditions that will enhance the wellbeing of people and prevent problems in social functioning
Name, from the bottom to top, the levels of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”
1) Physiological i.e. Basic needs (oxygen, food, water, rest, etc)
2) Safety/Security Needs (shelter, money, protection from threats)
3) Needs of Love, Affection and Belonging (feeling a part of a family/community; social needs)
4) Needs for Esteem and Identity (self-confident and valuable as a person)
5) Self-actualization (striving to achieve one’s potential)
What approach is Maslow’s ‘Self Actualization Theory’?
Humanistic approach
Belief that there are a hierarchy of needs which are a source of motivation; people are motivated by all 5 needs at the same time, but the lower ones need to be met first
A self-actualized person is self-aware, caring; and has freedom, honesty, trust and autonomy
What are the three factors involved with Social Work’s Focus?
1) Person-in-environment - immediate environment (family, friends, workplace, services) and the broader environment
2) Concern for the whole person (psychosocial) - the SW recognizes the interconnections of people’s biological, intellectual, social, familial, spiritual, economic and communal dimensions
3) Working with the client as a facilitator a actively listening and offering support with empathy and understanding their story
Social Work’s Scope: What is Micro-level?
Focused on the individual and their most intimate interactions
Example: direct clinical practice
Social Work’s Scope: What is Mezzo-level?
Concerned with interpersonal relations that are somewhat less intimate than those associated with family life, but more personally meaningful than those that occur among organization and institutional representatives
Example: self-help or therapy groups
What makes up the domain of Social Work?
1) Purpose
2) Focus
3) Scope
4) Sanction
Social Work’s Scope: What is Macro-level?
An organization, community, state or even society as a whole
Example: Fundraising, policy analysis, advocacy
What is the role of a ‘Broker’?
Facilitates links between the client and the community
What is the role of an ‘Advocate’?
Assisting clients in their rights; support causes that will bring about change
What is the role of a ‘Teacher’?
Prepare clients and the community with knowledge and skills to prevent problems or enhance their functioning
What is the role of a ‘Counsellor/Clinician’?
Help clients deal with feelings, cope and modify behaviours
What is the role of a ‘Case Manager’?
Connect clients to appropriate services and coordinate the use of these services
What is the role of a ‘Social Change Agent’?
Identifying community problems and to mobilize interest groups to advocate for change
What is the role of a ‘Professional’?
Practice ethical and competent social work practice and contribute to the development of the profession
What are the 5 sanctions of Social Work?
1) Government agencies/legislation
2) Human service organization that recruit/hire SSW’s
3) Regulatory Bodies/Association of SW & SSW; Guidelines of Practice
4) willingness of clients
5) Based on mandates, principles, standards and satisfaction
What are the Core Values in Social Work?
- Respect for the inherent worth and dignity of the person
- Pursuit of social justice
- Service to humanity
- Integrity in professional practice
- Confidentiality in professional practice
- Competence in professional practice
What are the factors that compromise the ‘Art of Social Work’?
- Compassion and courage to face human suffering
- The ability to bring empathy to all people
- The capacity to build a meaningful and productive helping relationship
- The persistence, flexibility and creativity to overcome barriers to change
- The ability to infuse the change process with hopefulness and energy
- The exercise of sound judgement
- Appropriate personal values; an effective professional style. Commitment to SSW values
What are the values of Social Work?
- Service to clients
- Social justice
- Dignity and worth of the person and the society
- Importance of human relationships
- Integrity
- Competence
What factors comprise the ‘Science of Social Service Work’?
- Must possess a worldview
- Awareness of social policies and programs
- Knowledge of social phenomena, social conditions and social problems
- Knowledge of the social work profession (ethical principles)
- Knowledge of social work practice (process of using knowledge and applying theory into situations to bring about change)
- Knowledge of conceptual frameworks (theory, frameworks, perspectives, practice models, techniques and guidelines)
What is the definition of ‘Conceptual Framework’?
Composed of coherent set of concepts, beliefs, clashes, proposition, assumption, hypothesis and principles. It helps us understand people; how they function and change
What is the definition of ‘Practice Perspective’?
A particular way of viewing and thinking about practice
What is the definition of ‘Practice Theory’?
Offers an explanation of certain behaviours of situations and guidance on how they can be changed
