SSW Profession

Question 1

Social Work Practice is focused on..

Answer 1

1) Interconnectedness
2) Interdependence
3) Power of social relationships

Question 2

What are the purposes of Social Work?

Answer 2

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

Question 3

Name, from the bottom to top, the levels of “Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs”

Answer 3

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)

Question 4

What approach is Maslow’s ‘Self Actualization Theory’?

Answer 4

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

Question 5

What are the three factors involved with Social Work’s Focus?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

Social Work’s Scope: What is Micro-level?

Answer 6

Focused on the individual and their most intimate interactions

Example: direct clinical practice

Question 7

Social Work’s Scope: What is Mezzo-level?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

What makes up the domain of Social Work?

Answer 8

1) Purpose
2) Focus
3) Scope
4) Sanction

Question 9

Social Work’s Scope: What is Macro-level?

Answer 9

An organization, community, state or even society as a whole

Example: Fundraising, policy analysis, advocacy

Question 10

What is the role of a ‘Broker’?

Answer 10

Facilitates links between the client and the community

Question 11

What is the role of an ‘Advocate’?

Answer 11

Assisting clients in their rights; support causes that will bring about change

Question 12

What is the role of a ‘Teacher’?

Answer 12

Prepare clients and the community with knowledge and skills to prevent problems or enhance their functioning

Question 13

What is the role of a ‘Counsellor/Clinician’?

Answer 13

Help clients deal with feelings, cope and modify behaviours

Question 14

What is the role of a ‘Case Manager’?

Answer 14

Connect clients to appropriate services and coordinate the use of these services

Question 15

What is the role of a ‘Social Change Agent’?

Answer 15

Identifying community problems and to mobilize interest groups to advocate for change

Question 16

What is the role of a ‘Professional’?

Answer 16

Practice ethical and competent social work practice and contribute to the development of the profession

Question 17

What are the 5 sanctions of Social Work?

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What are the Core Values in Social Work?

Answer 18

• 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

Question 19

What are the factors that compromise the ‘Art of Social Work’?

Answer 19

• 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

Question 20

What are the values of Social Work?

Answer 20

1. Service to clients
2. Social justice
3. Dignity and worth of the person and the society
4. Importance of human relationships
5. Integrity
6. Competence

Question 21

What factors comprise the ‘Science of Social Service Work’?

Answer 21

• 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)

Question 22

What is the definition of ‘Conceptual Framework’?

Answer 22

Composed of coherent set of concepts, beliefs, clashes, proposition, assumption, hypothesis and principles. It helps us understand people; how they function and change

Question 23

What is the definition of ‘Practice Perspective’?

Answer 23

A particular way of viewing and thinking about practice

Question 24

What is the definition of ‘Practice Theory’?

Answer 24

Offers an explanation of certain behaviours of situations and guidance on how they can be changed

Question 25

What is the definition of ‘Practice Model’?

Answer 25

Set of concepts and principles used to guide intervention activities