What is Social Work

Social work is a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and
communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people
develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to
resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal problems but also with
broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence.

Human rights and social justice are the philosophical underpinnings of social work practice. The
uniqueness of social work practice is in the blend of some particular values, knowledge and
skills, including the use of relationship as the basis of all interventions. In a socio-political-
economic context which increasingly generates insecurity and social tensions, social workers
play an important and essential role.

Where Do Social Workers Work?

Social workers work in a variety of settings: family services agencies, children’s aid agencies,
general and psychiatric hospitals, school boards, correctional institutions, welfare
administration agencies, federal and provincial departments. An increasing number of social
workers work in private practice.

What Do Social Workers Do?

Social workers provide services as members of a multidisciplinary team or on a one-to-one basis

with the client. The duties performed by social workers vary depending on the settings in which
they work.

Social workers employed by child welfare agencies (public and private) investigate cases of
family violence, child abuse and neglect and take protective action as required. They may
recruit foster parents or supervise the placement of children in protective care. Others work on
adoption cases.

Many school boards hire social workers to help students adjust to the school environment.
They help students, parents and teachers to deal with problems such as aggressive behaviour,
truancy and family problems, which affect the students’ performance.

In general and psychiatric hospitals, social workers are members of the treatment team. They
provide a link between the team and the family as well as with community resources. In these
settings they contribute to the care, treatment and rehabilitation of the aged and of physically
or mentally ill individuals, as well as the care of disabled persons.
In health and community services centres, social workers are involved in the provision of
counselling to individuals or families and in providing services to seniors. Some work as
community developers helping citizens to identify their needs and proposing ways of meeting
these needs. Others may assist with parent-child relationships and marriage counselling. The
services may be offered on an individual basis or in groups.

In the correctional field, social workers may be part of a team concerned with the social
rehabilitation of young or adult offenders. They may work as classification officers. Others work
as probation officers or as parole officers. Parole officers help ex-prisoners adjust to life in the
community while conforming to the conditions of their parole.

Social workers in private practice offer their services on a fee-for-service basis to individuals,
families and organizations. Their services include counselling, psychotherapy, mediation, sex
therapy, policy and program development, organizational development, and employee
assistance programs.

Social workers involved in policy analysis, policy development and planning are usually working
in federal and provincial departments or social planning councils. Researchers are found in
universities and governments. Others are teaching in universities and community colleges.

Future Employment opportunities in Social Work do exist. The situation changes from place to
place.

Working Conditions

Most social workers work full-time although it is possible to work part-time. Recent graduates
in social work practise under supervision for administrative and professional development
purposes. Many employers offer staff development training. Social workers providing direct
services spend most of their time with clients in their offices or in the client’s home. They also
spend time in consultation with other professionals such as psychologists, teachers, physicians,
lawyers or other persons concerned in a specific case.

Social Workers are usually employed in hospitals, community health centers, mental health
clinics, schools, advocacy organizations, government departments, social service agencies, child
welfare settings, family service agencies, correctional facilities, social housing organizations,
family courts, employee assistance programs and private counselling, school boards, and
consultation agencies.
Social Work in India

ONE DISCIPLINE, borrowed from America, taught in India at the university level is the discipline
of Social Work. We have graduate, post graduate, MPhil and PhD degrees awarded in this
discipline, as is in the case of most other disciplines. But Social Work is a professional course.

In India Social Work never got established as an independent profession. The government social
welfare departments, hospitals largely employed trained social workers against lower middle
rung posts. When Indian labour laws made it compulsory to appoint welfare officers in the
factories, Social Work degree became a passport to appointment against these posts. With
time, welfare officers saw themselves becoming personnel officers and later human resource
development (HRD) managers. People with Social Work background thus got higher status in
society.

When management education came to India (also from the USA), HRD became a preferred area
of specialisation and management graduates soon replaced Social Work graduates from HRD
jobs. A new attractive field opened for the Social Work graduates when some non-government
organisations (NGOs) adopted corporate culture under the influence of its foreign donors. But
these employment opportunities were limited in numbers because how many NGOs in India
would find foreign funds? High profile jobs for Social Work graduates were therefore ruled out.

The scope for practicing Social Work as private profession in India is next to nil. Petty political
party workers who also call themselves social workers appear to be doing better. The image of
a social worker amongst the general public is such that if a trained social worker were to
introduce himself/herself the response coming from the opposite person most likely is to be: I
am a social worker too.

It is difficult for the Indian people to conceive that there could be professionals around called
social workers to be approached when facing personal or family problems. The reason is not far
to see. Helping each other in the Indian traditions is a noble cause. Everybody therefore shows
eagerness to help everybody else. Why in that case someone pay a social worker? Since the
very concept of professional social work is missing from the Indian minds, trained social
workers are going to find it very difficult to establish roots in this country. It is also to
remember that profession wise it is the clients who approach the professionals and not the
other way round.

If we look at the methods of professional social work, they talk of (1) helping people individually
(Social Case Work Method) (2) helping people in groups (Social Group Work Method) and (3)
helping people’s communities (Community Development Method). It may be seen that of
these, the last two methods cannot be practiced by trained social workers in private practice
since these require a larger setting. Only organised bodies such government, corporate houses,
NGOs can afford it. Trained social workers therefore have to be necessarily employed to be able
to practice these two methods. This leaves Social Case Work method as the only method that
can be employed by trained social workers to earn an independent living.

In Social Case Work method, the trained social worker interviews his/her client, in private and
takes down the personal history. Through this he/she makes an assessment of the likely cause
for the problem faced by the client. The process of interviewing is simple chit-chatting. The
client may not even know if he/she is being helped or having a street corner talk. One interview
with the client is not sufficient; more have to be arranged. Some clients may not be prepared
for repeat visits. Even if the cause is discovered successfully, the solution that is offered to the
client may not be out of the ordinary. It consists of plain suggestions and motivational talks.
Unlike doctors and psychiatrists who prescribe medicines, professional social workers prescribe
no such thing. This leaves the clients a bit disappointed. In fact, many people (the household
social workers) have been giving advises to them.

From the discussion so far it is clear that professional Social Work is a big failure in India; it can
neither provide you decent employment nor earn an independent living. Students of Social
Work at the universities, colleges and departments are therefore heading for a disaster. The
government should take steps to weed out such unnecessary disciplines from our education
system or consider modifying these to suit our conditions. Employing trained social workers in
rural areas where community organisation is a big challenge also appears to be an attractive
option.

Evolution of Social Work in India

The systematic development of social work in India may be grouped into different periods.

a. Social Reforms in Ancient Period (2500 BC-AD 1200)

In ancient India, the nature of social service was that of charity. The earliest reference to charity
is to be found in the Rig Veda (Chap1 XIII, 2) which encourages charity by saying ''May the one
who gives, shine the most". Upanishad prescribed that every house holder must practise
charity.

In ancient India social welfare activities were performed byYagnas. Each one contributed his bit
towards the Yagnas. The intention was the welfare of all. Yagnashalas were classrooms where
men and women were taught the spirit of working together. Bhagavat Gita insists that the
privileged class has a moral duty to serve the poor. Such persons who served the society with
all their ability were free from all sins. But those who cooked for themselves or produced for
their own gain were eating sin (Gita chap-3-13) According to Manu it was his duty to feed
his guests first, then his servant, he and his wife might eat last of all. Charity or dana became
the instrument of virtue of the privileged sections and it was to be dispensed voluntarily. Later
in the Vedic period dana became institutionalized and came to be associated with religious
ideology. Danawas given to acquire punya (merit). Kaudilya highlights the duties of the king
towards the welfare and happiness of his subjects, ''In the happiness of the subjects lies the
king's happiness.''

The evolution of Buddhism influenced the character of the Indian society- from the tribal
agricultural settlement to a class based agrarian economy. Buddhism laid great emphasis on
punya and dana (charity). Guilds were important corporate organizations which performed a
variety of economic and welfare functions during Buddhist period. Guilds provided social
security to the oppressed class of the society. Bimbisara paid special attention to the
development of roads and agriculture. Can you remember the welfare reforms of Ashoka the
Great, learned in your history classes?

Ashoka developed a comprehensive system of social welfare. He appointed a superintendent to

look after the welfare of women. The welfare programmes were under the overall charge of
High Commissioners of Charity (Dharma mahamathras). Many reforms were introduced in the
field of women's welfare, rehabilitation of prisoners, rural development, free medical care,
regulation of prostitution and provisions of public utilities like roads, wells, rest houses for
travellers etc.

Kanishka gave liberal donation and grant for the construction of Buddhist Viharas, monasteries,
stupas etc. These were the centres of learning and help to the needy people. During the Gupta
period some more welfare activities executed.

Harsha Vardhana was an enlightened ruler who established hospitals, dispensaries, orphanages
and homes for the destitutes.

b. Social Reform in Medieval Period

The duties of a King included the maintenance of peace, protection from external attack and
to provide justice. Malik Ali, a noble of Balban, was more generous in giving alms. Giyas-
Udheen Thuglak was charitable and King Muhammud Gavan spent all his wealth on the poor
and led a simple life.

Humayun was the first king who made a bold attempt to prohibit sati. Akbar was a great ruler
who brought about many reforms in Indian society and abolished slavery in 1583. He
maintained a policy of religious equality and granted full freedom to his subjects on religious
matters. Aurangzeb looked after the welfare of his people and led a very simple life.

c. Social Reform in Modern Period

Raja Rammohan Roy was the greatest Indian of the 19th century. He was the morning star of
Indian renaissance who sowed the seeds of religious and social reforms. He used his power and
influence towards the abolition of sati and he was in favour of widow remarriage and female
education.

Ishwarchandra Vidyasagar advocated widow remarriage, economic self-reliance, women’s

education and prohibition of polygamy. It was with the joint effort of Mohan Roy and
Vidyasagar that the Widow Remarriage Act was passed in 1856.

Professor Bal Shasthri Jain Bhaker of Bombay fought against the evil customs like sati, female
infanticide etc. and tried to frame laws to abolish these customs.

Gopal Hari Deshmukh of Bombay promoted modern education, established dispensaries,

maternity homes, orphanages etc.

Sasipade Banerjee was a notable reformer of Bengal who worked for the cause of women’s
education and widow remarriage. He arranged several marriages of widows and gave shelter to
widows at his residence.

Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan played a prominent role for the education of women and to wipe out
social evils among the Muslims.

Gandhiji became active in political as well as social fields in 1920. He symbolized the integration
of political reform with social reform. He worked for the upliftment of women, dalits and
fought for the equality between men and women. He emphasized the need for freedom from
evils along with political independence. The contribution of Gandhiji like Sarvodaya,
Andhyodaya, Non violence struggle, Panchyati raj are closely related with the philosophies of
social work.

Contributions of Organizations

Brahma Samaj was founded by Raja Rammohan Roy and worked for the abolition of Sati,
promotion of widow remarriage and for women’s welfare.

Arya Samaj was founded by Swami Dayanand Saraswati in 1875. He opposed the caste system
and child marriage.

Muhammadan Anglo Oriental Society was founded by Sir Sayyid Ahmed Khan.

Theosophical Society was founded in 1881 in Madras by Madame Blavatsky and Colonel Olcott.

Ramakrishna Mission founded by Swami Vivekananda in 1897. It started its programmes with
education, treatment and general help.

Gopal Krishna Gokhale established the Servants of India Society for social service.
Modern Social Work
Modern social work was introduced in India by Christian Missionaries in the beginning of the 19
century. When they started making houses for orphans and destitutes, Indian social reformers
like Sasipada Banerjee, Phule and Karve too started homes for the widows. Some social and
religious associations like Arya Samaj, Prarthana Samaj and Ramakrishna Mission played
significant roles in providing institutional welfare service in India.

Social Work Education in India

The formal training in social work was started in India in 1936 at Dorabji Tata School of Social
Work at Mumbai. Now it is a deemed university named Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).
At present a number of universities and institutions are offering graduate, post graduate, M.
Phil and Ph. D level training in social work. In a developing country like India, social workers
have a major role in the socio-economic, cultural, health and related areas.

The major associations of social work are NAPSWI (National Association of Professional Social
Workers in India), ASSK (Association of Schools of Social Work in Kerala), etc

Disciplines Related to Social Work

Social sciences form an integral part of social work knowledge. They provide the basic
knowledge about the socio economic and cultural environment of the people. Social work is
comparatively a new discipline focusing on solving psycho-social problems. The knowledge base
of this profession is very much linked to the behavioural and social disciplines like psychology,
sociology, economics, history, politics, management and social anthropology. These disciplines
form an integral part of social work knowledge as well as practice. No social worker can ignore
the significance of sociological, psychological, anthropological and economic data
in the study and the solution of problems. Hence it is important to have an understanding of
the relationship of these disciplines to social work.
a. Sociology
Sociology is concerned with the study of the social life of man and his relationship
with his environment. It is the study of social situation. The network of social relationship is
called society. The subject matter of sociology includes:

i. Social morphology: population its qualities, social groups, social institutions and
organizations.
ii. Social processes: the characteristic ways in which interactions occurs.
iii. Social control: religion, tradition, folkways, mores, belief, laws etc.
iv. Social pathology: crime, juvenile delinquency, suicide, unemployment, corruption, cultural
deviation, etc.
v. Socialization: a process through which a man develops into a social being.
vi. Social change: the modification which occurs in the life pattern of people.

Thus we can say that sociology is the scientific study of human organizations, groups and their
interactions. Social work derives most of its knowledge from sociology because the psycho-
social problems of an individual cannot be diagnosed and solved without having the knowledge
of his social environment.

b. Psychology
Psychology studies the general principles of human behaviour. It is a study of the individual in
totality. Psychology is solely concerned with the mental aspects of an individual. It gives major
emphasis on the functioning of the nervous system. Study of psychology helps us to understand
why and how human beings behave in a particular situation. Man's activities are highly
determined by his mental configurations. His emotions, attitudes and past experiences decide
how he acts and reacts. Psychology is able to provide much insight into the personal
dimensions of an individual. It studies human behaviour, motivation and perception. It also tells
us the factors responsible for the formation of behaviour. Social worker needs the knowledge
of these factors as he tries to influence the behaviour of the client. Psychology as a discipline is
highly used by the social work professionals to understand his clients and their behaviour.

c. Economics
The economic activities of individuals are the subject of study in economics. It is related to
production, consumption, exchange and distribution of wealth. The economic aspects of life are
important factors in his growth and development. In order to deal with the problems of man
and society, it becomes essential to study social interactions' but social interactions are
influenced by economic conditions. Social work studies the needs of man including the
economic needs. If these needs are not fulfilled, they develop into problems and come under
the purview of social work.

d. Political Science
Political science may be defined as the science of the state. It explains the nature of the state,
its importance, organizations, principles of administration and policies. It is concerned with the
political life of a state. Social work believes that various conditions of the state and the society
affect one's development and behaviour.

The state has the power to control all types of economic, moral and religious reactions and
interactions. Social work is concerned with human relations and interactions. Therefore social
worker requires the knowledge of the state and various functionaries. There are a number of
problems which can be solved by enacting legislation or changing the present legislation. For
this the study of political science is essential.

e. Social Anthropology
As the very term implies, anthropology is the study of human beings. Contrary to the other
social and natural sciences, it studies human beings in its totality. Anthropology is the scientific
study of the physical, social, and cultural development and behaviour of human beings since
their appearance on earth (I M Jacob & B T Stern). This knowledge is essential to practise social
work.

In their study, anthropologists give due consideration to the simple pre-literate societies, along
with the complex urbanized communities. Anthropology also advocates cross cultural and
comparative study of societies and cultures. In short, anthropology is a bio-social science that
examines human beings in a holistic perspective with a field based and cross cultural
methodology.

Social work students receive information regarding the social organizations, their values, beliefs
and customs on the basis of this information, they understand the needs and problems of the
tribal people. Then, a plan of action is prepared for the solution of their problems. This
knowledge can be derived only through the study of anthropology.

Principles of Social Work

Social work practice and services should be based on professional principles and values. These
include:

 respect of the inherent worth and dignity of all individuals and the promotion of their right
to autonomy and self-determination;
 the right of vulnerable and marginalised individuals and groups to be assisted and
supported in overcoming barriers to inclusion in society;
 respect and protection of an individual’s rights while at the same time having due regard
to the rights and safety of others;
 the right of children and vulnerable adults to be protected from neglect, abuse or
exploitation;
 transparency and fairness in professional decision-making and in the application of
organisation’s eligibility criteria for access to services; and
 respect for diversity and the promotion of social justice.
Introduction of Social Work
Social work is a discipline within human services. Its main goal is to assist individuals and
families with their needs and solve their problems using a multidisciplined approach. In order to
be effective, social workers work closely with many agencies and professionals.

Social work is usually a part of the Human Services Department of a government. It serves as a
link between the government’s clients and other government resources, such as: manpower
training leading to employment, welfare payments towards financial assistance, legal
consultation in dealing with legal problems, food and water relief at times of drought, famine
and war, etc.

As a social worker, you will also work closely with medical professionals in order to provide
medical care for clients; with school personnel to identify children who are in need of help, and
with counsellors and psychologists in order to provide psychological counselling. Today the
problems faced by individuals and families are often complicated, and assistance from many
agencies is needed.

Social work provides an important service to society. Individuals and families in need of help are
the focus of it, and are referred to as clients. As social workers, our goal is to help clients live a
productive life in their own community. In order to reach this goal, we often enlist the
assistance of family members, relatives, local religious leaders, tribal leaders and elders, and
other influential members of the community. Although institutionalization may be necessary at
times, it is a temporary solution. The goal is to help clients return to normal life in a natural
setting.

Today, social workers are not only the bridge linking clients to other helpers, they also provide
their clients with hope, and encourage their first steps towards a new life. Social workers
usually stand in the front line, and reach out to the clients soon after problems occur. They
provide an initial assessment of the situation and mobilize other needed services.

Social work uses a team approach and is multi-disciplined. Its goal is to provide a service to
those who need help, especially the old, young, poor, abused, mistreated, handicapped,
jobless, the sick and the homeless. Its approach is to use available resources to solve problems
in order to empower clients to help themselves in the long term.

GUIDELINES FOR SOCIAL WORKERS

1. Establishment of a counselling relationship - See the relationship as a process of giving the

client an opportunity to grow, develop, and ultimately to understand and discover himself, and
make appropriate choices.
2. Acceptance - Recognize the worth of the individual regardless of his/her circumstances,
status, religion, race, politics, behaviour, and wish to foster human dignity and self-respect.
3. Self-determination - Encourage self-help as a means of growing in self-confidence, and the
ability to take on more responsibility for one’s own affairs.
4. Freedom to choose - The client must be able to make appropriate choices, and consider how
his/her choice may affect others. - Be able to respect and care for clients as individuals without
ridicule.
5. Confidentiality - The relationship is based on trust. You must recognize that what passes
between you and your client is confidential. Assume that all information is given in trust, and
therefore confidential, unless permission is given to use it in another context.
6. Being empathetic - You must be sensitive to the client’s feelings. Put yourself in the client’s
position. It helps if you understand your strengths and weaknesses. If you accept yourself as
you are, you may be able to accept others.
7. Genuineness - You must be genuine and not defensive. Be open, real and honest. Studies
indicate that positive outcomes can be achieved if the client sees in you empathy, genuineness
and a positive regard.

ETHICS OF A SOCIAL WORKER

The following are the ethics of a social worker:
1. Respect the dignity of the individual as the basis for all social relationships.
2. Have faith in the capacity of the client to advance towards his/her goals.
3. Base your relations with others on their qualities as individuals, without distinction as to
race, creed, colour, or economic or social status.
4. Recognize that your greatest gift to another person may be to give an opportunity for
him/her to develop and exercise his/her own capacities.
5. Do not invade the personal affairs of another individual without his/her consent, except
in an emergency, where you must act to prevent injury to him/her or to others.
6. Believe and accept the differences and individuality of others, and endeavour to build a
useful relationship on them.
7. Base your opinion of another person on a genuine attempt to understand the whole
person, his/her situation, and what it means.
8. Constantly try to seek understanding and control yourself, your attitudes, and the
prejudices which may affect your relationships.

DEMANDS ON SOCIAL WORK

It is common to find clients who expect much from you. Usually they expect immediate
material assistance. For example, if they experience financial difficulties, they expect to be
given money. It is important for you to explain to your clients what your roles are, instead of
raising false hopes. It is important for you not to take on the personal problems of your clients
as your own, as this could cause problems for you. You should present yourself as a person who
can assist them to understand their concerns and manage them. While you, your clients, and
the general public, may see social work as the embodiment of social services, you are
dependent on public sponsorship.

Social work is not about providing solutions to problems, but it provides an arena in which
clients can review their concerns, and see how they can manage them best and live an effective
life. Social work links clients with services, resources and opportunities, which might provide
them with the help they need. This contributes to problem-solving for clients. It is important to
recognize in social work the fact that it is an adaptable service, and one which is more
responsive and accountable to a particular locality and its people.

Social work is concerned with the provision of welfare services, when people’s capacity for
responding to the demands of life is strained, when capacity growth seems unattainable, and
when important decisions elude resolution. Social work should assist clients to deal with life,
engage in growth-producing activities, and make effective decisions.

Naturally when people have a problem, they look for help. Usually, they think they have no
capacity to solve their problem unless someone helps them to do so. And even when help
comes, they expect the helper to produce the magic which will solve their problems. Social
workers must make the role of their work clear when they are approached by a client. Their
role is to assist the client to know why they need help and where they can get it.

Naturally, the presence of a social worker, when there is a problem, raises hopes in a client.
Clients usually think that someone with a solution to their problem has come. As a result, they
may present themselves as people who are completely helpless, even when they are able to do
something themselves to resolve their concerns. A social worker should not take over the
problem of the client. Instead, he/she must assist the client to re-examine it and consider
possible solutions to it.