Professional Documents
Culture Documents
1. Principles of Acceptance:
Social work accepts the individual as he or she is with all his/her limitations. Social work believes
that acceptance is the crux of all help. Social worker does not condemn or feel hostile towards a
client because his behavior differs from the approved one. The principle of acceptance implies
that social worker must perceive, acknowledge, receive and establish a relationship with the
individual client as he actually is, not as social worker wishes him to be or think he should be.
2. Principle of Individualization:-
Social work believes in the uniqueness of individual. Each individual is different from that of
every other individual nature. As we know that individual is unique as his thumb print. The social
worker views the problem of each client as specific and helps the client move forward finding the
most satisfactory means for client to deal with particular problem situation.
3. Principle of Communications:-
Communication is a two way process, most of the problem that give pain are precisely the
problem of communication. When the communication is inadequate or insufficient the problems
occurs either automatically or because of misunderstanding. The social worker should have
enough skills to grasp the communication. The proper communication is crucial in social work
relationship because the background of the client and worker may be different, the mental status
of the client and the worker may vary. Therefore the social worker should make all the efforts to
see that communication between him and client is proper. The client should be made feel
comfortable and at ease to express his thoughts feelings and facts.
4. Principle of Confidentiality:-
Social work believes that during the professional help between the client and social worker, client
have the right of personal information about themselves in relationship with a social agency. The
principle believes that confidential things of the client must be kept confidential and other
agencies and individual & should be consulted only with the clients consent.
” Whoever comes (at Judgement) with a good deed will have better than it, and they, from the
terror of that day, will be safe.” (Surah An-Naml, 27:89)
“He that does good shall have ten times as much to his credit ” (Surah Al An’am, 6:160)
“Then shall anyone who has done an atom’s weight of good see it!” (Surah Al-Zilzal, 99:7)
Allah repeatedly instructs as in the Glorious Qur’an to behave kindly, to give charity, to serve
the poor, the orphans, and the needy. While the Qur’an condemns hoarders and misers, it
also prohibits ill-treating and threatening the poor and the needy
1. Islamic concept of social welfare and professional social work.
When professionals administer social services with the support of the community at large it
would help all of us to fulfill our social responsibility as believers
1. Duty — as a believer
2. True righteousness
3. Love of Allah
The Prophet Mohammad said, One Hadith states that Abu Hurairah related: The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) said
“Whosoever removes a worldly grief from a believer, Allah will remove from him one of the
grieves on the Day of Judgment. Whosoever alleviates [the] lot of a destitute person, Allah will
alleviate his lot in this world and the next. Whosoever conceals the faults of a Muslim, Allah will
conceal his faults in this world and the next. Allah will aid a servant (of His) so long as the
servant aids his brother”
2. Worth and dignity of individual.
Islam is a religion that aims to ascertain, uplift and sustain the honor and dignity of man. In
Islam, man is God's vicegerent on earth. Every terrestrial component has been created for the
purpose of accommodating and facilitating the fulfillment of man's noble mission of
vicegerency.
Islamic teachings on humanity and human welfare have been codified in its central
religious book known as the Quran, which the Muslims believe was revealed by God for
the mankind.
The inherent dignity of man is the foundation of human rights and human rights
instruments have emphasized that all human rights are derived from the inherent
dignity of the human person.
All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with
reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.
b) Elements/Components of social case work (person, problem, place, professional person and
process)
The components, which develop a social casework situation, are:
1.---------Person-------------- under stress
2.---------Problem------------situation effecting
3.---------Place---------------agency with resources
4.---------Professional-------skilled man with knowledge and practice
5.---------Process-------------an effort and a way towards solution
person
Any individual is not a person in social casework practice. The person is a man,
women, child or anyone with social-psychological and economical problems who finds
or needs some help and assistance in his social living. This person is known as a client.
When a person fail or cannot cope with his problems through his own effort and seeks
social workers help is consider as a client.
Problem
Problem is a situation which arises from man’s surrounding obstacle and has attacked
the adequacy of his efforts to work effectively. According to Hussain & Alauddin –
Place
Place refers to the agency through which the professional caseworker helps the client
in his social functioning.
Professional representative:
Professional representative means social caseworker. A caseworker should be skillful
in establishing relationship with the clients and find out the clients problem and
solution.
“By social case worker is meant a professional person employed by a social agency
who possess knowledge, skills & techniques of social casework”
Process:
Process means a series of action. But in the social casework practice, process
refers to a series of action which are taken with a view to helping the clients and to
solve the problems. In problem solving process, there are five phases
1. Psycho-social study
2. Diagnosis
3. Treatment plan
4. Evaluation
5. Follow-up
Principle of acceptance:
Acceptance means consent to receive. Under this principle- a caseworker must be
accept an individual as a person of worth & dignity not treat as a problem person and
always accept one’s positive & negative feelings. When the client meets with the
caseworker for the first time, he feels fear & anxieties about the new person. For this
reason, the caseworker should accept client friendly. So that he can share his all
problems. This mutual acceptance is called rapport. In the flow chart this rapport is-
Worker→Acceptance→Client
Principle of communication:
Communication means exchange of information. But in social casework practice, it is
the exchange of views & ideas, feelings & thoughts regarding the problems between
client & social worker. By the communication, a caseworker can realize & explain the
client’s present situation.
Principle of participation:
Participation means to take part. In social casework practice, the caseworker & the
client build up a rapport for the solution of client’s problem. But this rapport depends
on the active participation of the client.
The primary goal of problem solving process also can possible through the active
participation of the client. It increases client’s self-determination, capacity of
decision making regarding the different elements of the stressful situation.
Principle of self-determination:
Principle of confidentiality:
Confidentiality means law of keeping secret. In social case work practice,
confidentiality is-
→the preservation of secret information concerning the client.
→the basic right of the client.
→the ethical obligation of the client.
→ Necessary for effective casework practice.
Principle of individualization:
Individualization means analyze an individual not from a single aspect but from
various aspects. According to W.A.Friedlander-
Principle of self-awareness:
The principle of self-awareness requires that the caseworker should be aware of his
own self, his strength & weakness. It is important
→ to know oneself
Broker
The social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link a family or person to needed
resources. Social work professionals do not simply provide information. They also follow up to be
sure the needed resources are attained. This requires knowing resources, eligibility requirements,
fees and the location of services.
Advocate
In this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain needed resources by
convincing others of the legitimate needs and rights of members of society. Social workers are
particularly concerned for those who are vulnerable or are unable to speak up for themselves.
Advocacy can occur on the local, county, state or national level. Some social workers are involved in
international human rights and advocacy for those in need.
Case Manager
Case managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to access those services.
Case management is especially important for complex situations and for those who are homeless or
elderly, have chronic physical or mental health issues, are disabled, victims of domestic or other
violent crimes, or are vulnerable children.
Educator
Social Workers are often involved in teaching people about resources and how to develop particular
skills such as budgeting, the caring discipline of children, effective communication, the meaning of a
medical diagnosis, and the prevention of violence.
Facilitator
In this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together for a variety of
purposes including community development, self-advocacy, political organization, and policy
change. Social workers are involved as group therapists and task group leaders.
Organizer
Social Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and action including
economic development, union organization, and research and policy specialists.
Manager
Social Workers, because of their expertise in a wide variety of applications, are well suited to work
as managers and supervisors in almost any setting. As managers, they are better able to influence
policy change and/or development, and to advocate, on a larger scale, for all underprivileged people.
“When two or more individuals come together and influence one another, they may be called a
social group”
“Social group is a group of two or more persons who are in state of interaction with one
another”.
b) Types of social groups (primary and secondary, formal
and informal groups)
Primary Group
The concept of Primary Group is given by C.H Cooley. Primary groups have following
characteristics:
There is face-to-face interaction among its members.
. There are frequent interactions among its members.
. The relations among the members are too personal, intimate and intense.
. There is a sense of ‘we-feeling’ in the members.
. The members possess similar background attributes such as language, interests, culture,
religion etc.
. There is physical proximity among the members.
. These groups are smaller in size.
Primary groups have a great importance. For instance, the family provides food, shelter and
care to a kid. An individual learns his culture and develops a healthy personality within his
primary groups to become a productive citizen of the society.
Secondary Group
The concept of Secondary Group is given by Maciver. Secondary groups have following
characteristics:
. The group is formed by relations secondary to the primary group.
. There is comparatively less face-to-face interaction.
. There is comparatively less frequent interaction.
. The relations among the members are impersonal and secondary. These relations are relatively
less personal, less intimate and less intense.
. The members have specific aims or interest to achieve.
.There is less physical proximity among the members.
. These groups are larger in size.
Examples: A shopkeeper-customer relation, A doctor-patient relation, An advocate-client
relation, A teacher- student relation, A candidate-voter relation.
There are two types of social groups on the basis of rules and regulations: Formal and
Informal Group.
Formal Group
It is a group that has well-defined rules and regulation for joining the group, staying in the
group and leaving the group. Those, who fulfill these rules and regulations, can join and
engage in the activities of the group. The membership can be canceled if the member violates
the rules. The examples include organizations, banks, hospitals, educational institutions,
official associations and firms and so on.
Informal Group
It is a group which has prescribed rules and regulation for joining the group, staying in the
group and leaving the group. Any person can join the group, participate in it and leave it
whenever he wants. For example, a group of students sitting in playground and gossiping with
one another. Any other classmate can come and join it. Other examples include: People gathered
to see a Joker in a public place, informal clubs and associations.
At this stage, group members are learning what to do, how the group is
going to operate, what is expected, and what is acceptable.
This is the stage where the dominating group members emerge, while the
less confrontational members stay in their comfort zone.
FAMILY SERVICES
Social workers provide support services for families to enhance family functioning. Examples of
services include counseling, family therapy, and family life education
CHILDREN SERVICES
Child welfare workers practice in family-based services that address children, youth and families. A
social worker in this field may counsel children and youth who have problems or have difficulty
adjusting socially. She/he may work to protect or intervene on their behalf when they are abused or
neglected. Child welfare may advise foster care in cases where parents cannot or will not protect
and/or provide for their children. Social Workers will then work with the courts to find adoptive homes
for children.
PUBLIC WELFARE
Social work in public welfare entails administration, implementation, monitoring, and program
evaluation of the public welfare system. Social workers provide information on how to apply for
public assistance and other benefits, review eligibility requirements, and arrange for services. They
also train and supervise staff while setting and evaluating standards and criteria for service delivery.
COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT
There are numerous opportunities for social workers in community development programs and
projects that are designed to provide community, professional and volunteer services. This is an
area of employment that is expanding as greater responsibility for human services programs that are
assumed by cities, towns, communities, neighborhoods, and local organizations. Social workers
participate in establishing and operating such services as homeless shelters, youth activities, free
lunch programs, and services for homebound elderly and persons with disabilities
INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WORK
International Social Work involves direct services in child welfare, family planning, health and mental
health, international adoptions, human rights advocacy, and refugee programs through relief and
international organizations. Social workers also assist governments in developing delivery systems
and training programs. They provide technical assistance and are involved in research
projects. International organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO), the Red Cross,
the United Nations, and numerous non-government organizations employ social workers
• Working with the community requires the generalist practitioner to be able to assess
community functioning and design specific intervention techniques.
• The two major arenas for community organization practice are community organizations
and the community itself.
main areas:
• Health
• Welfare
• Recreation
b) Definition of community organization and development
Definition
Purpose
To enable communities become more aware of their situation and their
environment and to realize their collective abilities and responsibility to manage
themselves and their environment in a sustainable manner.
To provide opportunity for participation of men and women in decisions and actions
that will affect their lives, thus developing a sense of ownership and collective
responsibility for such decisions and actions.
To strengthen community capacity to access internal and external funds to support
viable and sustainable socio- economic projects.
To enable a community to link and form alliances for advocacy and technology
sharing.
To build and sustain permanent organizational structures for resource management.
Select appropriate strategy. Identify local in-kind and cash resources to link
with other resources to implement a specific program strategy with the
community.
Step 5: Implement
Step 6: Evaluate
Through formative and summative evaluations assess the program
impacts on the target audience and others to determine if the stated goals
and objectives are met.
In the initial stages of helping a group to set up, the community worker might adopt the rather directive
role of organiser, taking on responsibility for getting things started by arranging meetings, sending out
publicity, organising positive action measures, such as childcare and interpreting arrangements.
Often community workers will do much of the "behind the scenes" organisation for a group,
following up contacts, undertaking administrative tasks, such as book-keeping, servicing
meetings, producing a newsletter or generally ensuring that the group members maintain contact
with one another.
ADVOCATE
This should be a rare role for community workers, whose aim is usually to enable people to speak for
themselves and develop a collective voice in negotiating situations. Sometimes, however, there are
constraints or pressures which justify the worker speaking on behalf of others to argue for a position
based on a degree of consultation and consensus. Circumstances which might support this option might
be lack of time in the decision-making process before the people affected by a decision have had time to
gain the confidence and skills to articulate their own views in what might be an intimidating forum. Or
there might be access issues, which cannot be overcome with the time and resources currently
available. This may particularly affect work with disabled people or people whose first language is not
English.
The worker should be careful in the role of advocate that they do not go beyond their mandate to
represent the views of others.
CHALLENGER
One of the chief purposes of community work is to change things, particularly to question and combat
current inequalities in the distribution of power and resources. The worker therefore sometimes has a
role to play in challenging prejudices, practices or policies which have the affect of discriminating against
some sections of society.
People often hold attitudes and assumptions about themselves and others which perpetuate
disadvantage and oppression. These might be expressed through language which is offensive or through
hostile or patronising behaviour. The community worker should challenge these (and enable others to
do so for themselves) in a variety of ways, including humour, private discussion, open debate, policy
proposals and modelling anti-oppressive practices. In adopting this
Role, the worker must also be prepared to deal with any conflicts, resentment or feelings of
disempowerment that result and to recognise that the role of challenger can be both uncomfortable and
controversial.
DEVELOPER
However, the community worker should usually be trying to move their professional relationship with
users to be more that of developer. The key aspect to this role is that the worker is enabling the people
she is working with to acquire new capabilities and to enhance their existing skills, knowledge and
understanding.
This process might be through encouraging people to share these with others in the group, learning
through role play or observation or through more formal training opportunities. Often this involves
working closely alongside individual members of a group on a particular task, giving practical advice,
support and feedback so that they eventually feel confident to perform the task on their own. Informal
discussions or workshops also provide opportunities for people to share and develop their knowledge
by reflecting on their own experience and gaining information on specific areas on public life (such as
the workings of local government).
SUPPORTER
This role involves more interpersonal methods of working, such as counselling, advising, building self-
esteem and generally encouraging people to work through difficult situations. It might include talking
through an idea or a problem with an individual or group, listening to someone's grievances, staying in
touch with a member of a group who is experiencing difficulties in their life and not able to attend
regularly, being a friendly and accessible point of contact between people in the community and your
employing organisation or simply ensuring that people can make use of facilities and resources that
they need in their work (such as use of a telephone, photocopier or meeting space.)
When in the role of supporter, contact between the worker and community users will normally be on
the initiative and terms of the user. As such the worker will not have specific goals other than to provide
emotional and practical support for the user in their chosen course of action.
SECONDARY METHODS
I) Social Research
Society is an organized group of persons associated together with shared
objective, norms and values pertain to the society. People have social life and
social process. Research is systematic and organized effort to investigate a
specific problem that needs a solution. It contributes to the general body of
knowledge. It also corrects human knowledge
a) Definition and description of social research
Social research now can be defined as the systematic and objective analysis and recording of controlled
observations that may lead to the development of generalization, principles or theories resulting in
prediction and possibly ultimate control of events in society. It attempts to answer or solve social
problems
Objectives of social research
1. To facilitate the understanding of human behavior.
2. To acquire knowledge about social phenomena, events, issue, problems etc.
3. To identify functional relationship existing in the social phenomena.
4. To find out the natural laws that regulates or directs social phenomena.
5. To standardize the society concept, e.g. culture, struggle, generation gap, social distance etc.
6. To formulate solution to social problems.
7. To maintain social organization, remove social tension, misconception, etc.
8. To develop social revival plan
b) Phases/steps in social research
Phases of social research (S.R.)
Phases of social research consist of a series of steps necessary to efficiently carry out research on any
social phenomena. These actions are closely related. They can be overlapped.
1. Sensing or realizing problem: -
The first step in SR process is observing the situation and sensing problem. New problems keep
on emerging in the social environment. One should sense these development origins in the
environment. At this stage, one may not know exactly what is happening but one can definitely
sense that things are not going smoothly as they should be.
2. Problem identification:
Once one become aware of what is happening in the environment, he/she would then focus on the
problem. The researcher singles out the problem for the study, i.e. what exactly are the problems
in the situation. It is thus, problem-defining stage. Without a focused definition of problem, data
tends to be irrelevant, expensive and confusing. Research problem should be specific.
3. Theoretical framework:
Once the problem is identified, the researcher carefully studies the earlier studies, if any which
are similar to the study in hand. It helps to integrate information locally so that reason for the
problem can be conceptualized. This helps to develop theoretical framework. This step
essentially involves a review of related literature. It familiarizes the researcher with what is
already known and what is still unknown and untested.
4. Hypothesis formulation:
After developing theoretical framework, the researcher develops hypothesis. It is drawn from the
theoretical framework. A hypothesis is a tentative answer to question. It is an educated guess. It
is generally based upon prior research. It is subjected to the process of verification or
disconfirmation. Hypothesis is conjectured relationship between two or more variables expressed
in the form of testable statements.
5. Research design:
It is the plan, structure and strategy for conducting research. It describes the general framework
for
collecting, analyzing and evaluating data. It helps to obtain answer to research questions and to
control variance. It enables the researcher to answer research questions to validity, objectively,
accurately and economically as possible. Design should be carefully worked out to yield
dependable and valid answer to the research questions.
6. Collection of data:
At this stage, the researcher has to collect data as expected. Data can be obtained from primary
source or secondary source. Questionnaire, interview, observation are major instruments to
collect data. This step is also called fieldwork because researcher has to visit field for
administering the research instruments to collect data.
7. Data analysis:
It is statistical analysis that has been collected, edited, coded and tabulated. In other words, data
analysis means the categorizing, ordering, manipulating and summarizing of data to obtain
answer to research’s question. Its purpose is to reduce data to intelligible and interpretable form
so that elations of research problem can be studied and tested. Different statistical techniques are
used at this stage.
8. Interpretation and generalization:
Interpretation takes the result of data analysis, makes inference pertinent to the research relation
studied and draws conclusion about the relations. Generalization is the act of giving general form
to these conclusions.
9. Report preparation:
Finally the researcher has to prepare the report of his/her research. Its objective is to tell readers
the problems investigated, the method used to solve problems, result of the investigation and the
conclusion from the result.
c) Tools of data collection (questionnaire, interviewing schedule, Interview guide and observation)
Data collection is an important step in social research. It is also known as field work. It involves
administrating the research tools to gather data. It connects link to the reality of the work for the
researchers. Data collection consists of taking ordered information from reality and transferring to some
recording systems so that social behavior can be understood and predicted.
1. Survey
A survey is a data collection method based on the study of a given
population. It is a systematic gathering of information from the people for
the purpose of understanding or predicting some aspect of their behavior.
The survey method gathers data from a relatively large number of cases at a
particular time. It is not concerned with character of individuals. It is
concerned with generalized statistics that results when data are abstract from
a number of individual cases. It is essentially cross sectional. National
population census is an example of survey. Survey data are expressed in
numbers or percentages.
2. Interview
It is a technique of primary data collection. It is an oral method in which one
person asks another person questions designed to obtain answer pertinent to
the research problem. It is most commonly used direct method in the study
of human behavior. The interview is a face to face interpersonal role
situation in which one person asks another person being interviewed. The
respondent question designed to obtain answer pertinent to the purpose of
the research problem. The interview may be regarded as a systematic
method by which one person enters more or less imaginatively with the
inner life of another who is generally a comparative stranger to him. The
purpose of interview is to find out what’s in or on someone else’s mind
3. Questionnaire
A questionnaire is a format list of questions designed to gather respondent
from respondent on a given topic. It is a formalized schedule for data
collection. It is used when fractional information is designed. When opinion
rather than facts are desired, opinionnaire or attitude scale is used.
Questionnaire is a term used for almost any kind of instrument that has
questions or items to which individuals respond. A questionnaire is a list of
questions to number of persons for them to answer. It secures standardized
results that can be tabulated created statistically.
Type of questionnaire
Open or open-ended question:
It calls for free response in the respondent’s own words. It requires the
respondents to provide their own answer to the question. No alternative
answer is given.
Close or close-ended question:
It is also called restricted questionnaire. It offers the respondent choice
among two or more alternatives. Answer to each question is predetermined
and included in the question form. The respondents mark yes or no or write a
short response or check an item form the list of suggest response.
Observation
It is a method of gathering primary data physically or mechanically recording
events or aspect of the phenomenon under investigation. It involves recording of
the respondents’ behavior. It is the process of recognizing noting people, objects
and occurrence of events rather than asking for information. It can supplement the
information collected through questionnaire and interview. Observation is the
process of recognizing and recording behavior of people, objects and events.
Observation is systematic and deliberate study through eye, of spontaneous
occurrence at the time they occur. Example: instead of asking consumer what
brand they buy or what television program they watch, the researcher arrange to
observe what product are brought and what program they watch.
Characteristics of good observations
Observation should be carefully planned, systematic and perceptive.
Observers should know what they are looking for and what is irrelevant in a
situation.
It should focus on wholeness of what is observed. Observers should not only
be alert to significant details, they should also know that the whole is often
greater than the sum of its parts.
It should be objective and bias-free. Observers should strive to eliminate
their influence what see and report.
It should separate the facts from the interpretation of facts. Observers
observe the facts and make their interpretation at a later time.
It should be checked and verified whenever possible by repetition or by
comparison with those of other competent observers.
It should be carefully and expertly recorded. Observers use appropriate
instruments to systematize, qualify and preserve the result of their
observations.
Observations are collected in such a way that they are valid and reliable.
According to Talcott Parsons a social action is a process in the actor-situation system which has
motivational significance to the individual actor or in the case of collectivity, its component
individuals.
According to Pareto sociology tries to study the logical and illogical aspects of actions. Every social
action has two aspects one is its reality and other is its form. Reality involves the actual existence of the
thing and the form is the way the phenomenon presents itself to the human mind. The first is called the
objective and the other is called subjective aspects.
CONCLUSION
Social action is a secondary method of professional social work. It is used for mobilizing masses
in order to bring about structural changes. In the social system or to prevent negative changes.
Certain social problems like ecological balancing, bonded labor, child labor, women
empowerment, substance abuse, etc., can be tackled through social action.
• The primary objective of social action is to bring about solutions to mass problems, improve
mass conditions and redistribute power and resources (human, material and moral).
c) Community development
Community development has the following elements:
• Active participation against unhealthy social taboos and social isolations
• Development of self-esteem, sympathy, empathy and confidence building
• Creative thinking and practical action
• Social adjustment and mutual support
• Involvement in the theory and practice of community development
• Mobilizing funds to meet emerging needs
• Identification of priority areas by the community.
Components of Community Development
Community development covers a wide range of activities and programs. These differ from one
community to the other, and depend on the priorities, issues, plan, problems and solutions of a
community. The following are the major components of community development:
• Child development programs
• Adolescent development programs
• Youth development programs
• Women development programs
• Welfare of the senior citizens
• Health and family welfare programs
• Family life education
• Agricultural and allied activities
Child development program
Children are the future wealth of any nation and therefore it pays to invest in their development. The child
development program may be viewed as a support service for families with children from birth to age
four. It has also been found that the ability of parents to support and foster the healthy and lifelong
development of their children is enhanced by the provision of early intervention resources.
Adolescent development program
Adolescence is an important period of growth and human development, in terms of physical, mental and
emotional maturity. It is a period when adolescents are expected to acquire adequate capacity, capability
and skills for future life. If adolescents are not well taken care of, they can develop negative attitudes and
behavior that can affect the development of a community. It is therefore, the responsibility of the
community and
CDWs to carry out programs that promote the all-round development of adolescents.
Youth development program
Youth are a priceless gift to any society. Being a productive age group, they can contribute a lot in the
process of community development. Investing in youth development in a holistic and comprehensive
manner will pave the way for sustainable community development.
Women development program
Women are the silent but effective contributors of community development. Their contributions in
domestic and non-domestic fields are of great importance in community development. It is the
responsibility of a
community to nourish, care and promote the total development of women, including their reproductive
health.
Welfare of senior citizens
Ageing is a natural phenomenon and a part of our life cycle. The expertise and experience of senior
citizens should be utilized for community development initiatives. Protection and social security of the
aged population should be the responsibility of the community. Reorganization, acceptance, caring and
rearing are part and parcel of community development.
Health and family welfare program
The health and family welfare program is an important activity under the community development
program. It includes the physical, mental and social well- being of individuals. Reproductive and child
health activities are also important components of a community development programe.
Family life education
Family life education is another important area which needs much attention in the present context of our
social system. The traditional Indian family system is very strong and has laid the foundation for our
cultural and family life. Family life education teaches individuals, their duties and responsibilities in the
family. It also covers the role of the family in community development and societal empowerment.
Agricultural and allied activities
Agricultural and allied activities provide healthy food for the community. As part of community
development activities, a community should produce most of its essential food items. It should address
nutritional deficiency by enhancing agricultural production in the community. The community should
also promote the use of organic and eco- friendly agricultural initiatives in order to achieve sustainable
agricultural production. In addition, there should be development of agro-based industries and initiatives
to protect the fertility of land, such as, the use of organic manure. The community should also maintain
the essential vegetables and
meats log.
Co-operative Service Society
The health co-operative service societies are the backbone of community development. The co-operative
sector touches all fields of community development. The community development worker can acquire the
capacity and capability to run and manage co-operative service societies in different fields. This would
help community development through group intervention. Another aim of the co-operative sector is
resource mobilization and the proper utilization of resources for community development.
Education
Education is an important tool for community development. There are three main types of education:
formal, non formal and informal. Formal education is a classroom-based activity provided by trained
teachers and guided by a structured curriculum leading to certification.
d) Child welfare
services and institutions concerned with the physical, social, and psychological well-being of children,
particularly children suffering from the effects of poverty or lacking normal parental care and supervision
Advocacy: Child welfare social workers are expected to seek and push for resources that can help
improve services for children, youths, and their families. This may include everything from
connecting kids directly with community programs to supporting policy reform.
Cultural competence: Professionals in child welfare often interact with kids and families from
backgrounds much different from their own. This is especially notable when working with
minority children who face their own particular challenges in youth. That’s why the NASW
highlights the need for reflection, self-awareness, and cultural learning so child welfare social
workers can offer the most effective assistance.
Family engagement: Child welfare can’t take place in a vacuum, as engaging with the family to
identify root issues and recommend corrective actions is among the most important factors to the
job. Welfare workers also have an obligation to investigate or record negative or negligent family
environments.
Working at the macro level with child services and social workers
Focusing on the future of child welfare in different communities
Being a leader within the social welfare system as it serves and pertains to children
Developing an understanding of human behavior, culture and beliefs
Being committed to the ethics and values of social work
Maintaining a deep knowledge of social policy and how to best deliver social services to
children and families.
e) Youth welfare
The primary role of social workers in the youth welfare system is the protection of children from harm.
Through prevention and intervention services, they protect children who are either at risk for or have been
abused or neglected, children with mental health or medical needs and those children who are without
parents or family. They also support at risk families in an effort to provide safe and stable homes for their
children.
Social workers are responsible for the overall coordination of services that these children and families
may need. They are the point person for the development of and monitoring compliance with the child or
family’s case plan. Depending on the agency, the social worker may act as the case manager and actively
arrange for needed services. Once interventions and services are in place, the social worker will monitor
progress and compliance with the plan.
An additional aspect of protection and support for children and their families is that of advocacy. In the
youth welfare system, social workers are the primary advocates for children and their families. Part of
advocacy involves seeking out supports and resources for them. Advocacy also includes teaching children
and especially their families how to find, access and use community resources so that they can become
self-sufficient and begin to advocate for themselves
f) Women welfare
Women welfare Is a social welfare program which seeks to promote the welfare of women by giving
special attention to the prevention, eradication in any form, as well as the promotion of skills of
employment and self – actualization.
g) Welfare of the Physically disabled
h) Welfare of the mental retarded
I) Welfare of the socially dis-advantaged
j) Welfare of the Juvenile Delinquents and Adult Criminals