Basic Introduction to Social Work

1. Social Work
A basic introduction
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Dinneka R.
6/5/15

2. Outline
What is Social Work?
Basic functions of Social Work
Characteristics of Social Work
Social Work & other disciplines
Careers in Social Work

3. What is Social Work?
Definition of Social work as it appeared in the 1959 Curriculum Study
sponsored by CSWE:
“Social Work seeks to enhance the social functioning of individuals,
singly and in groups, by activities focused upon their social
relationships which constitute the interaction between man and his
environment. These activities can be grouped into three functions:
restoration of impaired capability, provision of individual and social
services, and prevention of social dysfunction.”

4. Basic functions of Social Work

5. Characteristics of Social Work
Focus is on the total person
in the total environment.
Emphasis is on the
importance of the family in
shaping & influencing
behavior.
Use of community resources
in helping people solve
problems.
Social Work has distinct
professional bodies: NASW,
CSWE
Use of supervisory process
of qualified professionals to
help students and
professionals grow.
The relationship is key in the
Social Work process.
Educational programs
involves classwork &
practical field work.
Traditional Social Work
employs clinical, group &
community organizations.

6. Characteristics of Social Work
Social work has an
orientation in psychiatric
concepts & places
considerable stress on
understanding people.
Stresses on social
interaction.
Social work recognizes that
social problems & human
behavior adhere to a
considerable degree in the
social institutions of
humanity.
Most Social Workers are
employed in agency settings.
Aim is to help clients help
themselves or to help
communities help
themselves.
Because most social workers
are employed in agencies &
are fixed on salaries, fees are
used for the welfare of the
agency rather than for
increased incomes for the
workers.
Traditionally, Social Workers
have provided services and
therapy for individuals &
families.
A Social Worker is
particularly effective in
developing & using the team
approach & in bringing about
coordination of services &
activities.

7. Social Work & other disciplines
Social work shares some similarities with sociology, psychiatry,
psychology, & counseling but it has distinguishing characteristics that set
it apart from these disciplines.

8. Careers in Social Work
Child, Family & School
Medical & Health
Community
Mental Health & Substance abuse
Military & Veterans
Psychiatric
Hospice & Palliative care

9. References
Boehm, W.W. (1959). Objectives of the social work curriculum of the future.
The comprehensive report of the curriculum study,1,54. NY:CSWE.
Farley, O.W., Smith, L.L., and Boyle, S.W. (2012). Introduction to social
work. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.

10. Thank you for watching!