Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

MODULE 9: INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

The aim of this module is to provide a basic understanding of the Philosophy of Social Work. This
module shall introduce the nature of social work, scope of social work, functions of social work, the
goals of social work, and the ideologies of social work. The study of this lesson is expected to enable
you to understand the broad perspectives of social work.

I. LEARNING OBJECTIVES
 Understand the broad perspectives of social work and the interconnection of the various
aspects which together indicate what social work is all about; and
 Examine how social work is used as an applied approach in addressing social issues.

II. DISCUSSION

Some individuals have personal or family problems. Sometimes they cannot solve these by
themselves. So they need outside help. Such help comes from trained people. The individual seeking
help is known as client and the trained person helping him is known as a social worker. Such helping
activities are known as social case work.

DEFINITION OF SOCIAL WORK

Social work is a practice-based profession that promotes social change, development,

cohesion and the empowerment of people and communities. Social work practice involves the
understanding of human development, behavior and the social, economic and cultural institutions
and interactions. Social work professionals working with families and institutions have helped to provide
and advance the following social impacts such as Civil Rights, Unemployment Insurance, Disability Pay,
Worker’s Compensation, Reduced Mental Health Stigma and Child Abuse and Neglect Prevention.

The 1957 definition is now more a signpost in the profession's development, and it was probably
a progression on other practices it succeeded. In the last 14 years, though, we have seen and lived
with another global definition, agreed by the two international bodies in 2000:

"The social work profession promotes social change, problem-solving in human relationships and
the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilizing theories of human
behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their
environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work."

"Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social
change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.
Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central
to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous
knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance
wellbeing."

SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES

REPUBLIC ACT NO. 4373 - AN ACT TO REGULATE THE PRACTICE OF SOCIAL WORK AND THE
OPERATION OF SOCIAL WORK AGENCIES IN THE PHILIPPINES AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES

SECTION 1. As used in this Act:

(a) "Social Work" is the profession which is primarily concerned with organized social service
activity aimed to facilitate and strengthen basic social relationships and the mutual adjustment
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 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

between individuals and their social environment for the good of the individual and of society.

(b) A "social worker" as used in this Act is a practitioner who by accepted academic training
and social work professional experience possesses the skill to achieve the objectives as defined
and set by the social work profession, through the use of the basic methods and techniques of
social work (casework, group work, and community organization) which are designed to enable
individuals, groups and communities to meet their needs and to solve the problems of
adjustment to a changing pattern of society and, through coordinated action, to improved
economic and social conditions, and is connected with an organized social work agency which
is supported partially or wholly from government or community solicited funds.

(c) A "social work agency" is a person, corporation or organization, private or governmental,

that engages mainly and generally, or represents itself to engage in social welfare work,
whether casework, group work, or community work, and obtains its finances, either totally or in
part, from any agency or instrumentality of the government and/or from the community by
direct or indirect solicitations and/or fund drives, and/or private endowment.

Rationale Under the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Reform Agenda,
the DSWD through the Standards Bureau ensures that the poor and vulnerable are provided with
quality social protection programs and services by the government and partner agencies. As such, it
sets standards and provides consultative services to enable institutions, organizations and persons
engaged in social welfare activities both in public and private settings to comply with said standards.

NATURE OF SOCIAL WORK

The client should have some motivation for self-improvement. Readiness to accept help is a
prerequisite condition in social work. The social worker only adds to the clients own efforts to improve
his situation. He does not impose his advice or solution on the client, respecting the client's right to self-
determination. Social workers should not feel superior to, or be contemptuous of the clients. They should
have empathy i.e. they should try to understand the client's situation by placing themselves in bigger
role. But at the same time, they should not feel like the client. The social worker must understand and
accept the feelings of the client. During disasters and natural calamities, hundreds of people donate
cash and kind to help the victims. They will not have any direct contact with the victims. This is generally
known as social service as it involves providing some help to the helpless. But in social work, face to
face interaction of the worker and client is important. In certain instances, in addition to temporary
relief, the social worker also helps in improving interpersonal relations and adjustment problems related
to disaster and natural calamities. The kind of involvement needed to deal with deeper issues and
other relationship problems is called social work.

SCOPES OF SOCIAL WORK

The concern of social work's is to help people who are in need so that they develop the capacity
to deal with their problems by themselves. It is both science and an art. Social is work is science in the
sense that the knowledge taken from different disciplines forms the body of knowledge for a social
worker uses this theoretical base for helping people i.e., for practice. What theory postulates has to be
put into practice. The required capacity to do it is known as skill. Hence, professional social work with
selected knowledge and the set of social work values, has to be transformed into a professional service.
A social worker has to establish a positive relationship with the clients. She should know how to interview
and write reports. One should be able to diagnose i.e., find out the cause for the problem and finally
should work out a treatment plan. An assessment of the problem, planning for its solution, implementing
the plan and evaluating the outcome are the four major steps involved in social work. Social worker's
keen interest in helping the client, alone will not solve the problem. One should know how to help
clients. The methods of social work will help his/her to understand ways of helping people. Scope of
social work methods are:
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 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

1) Social case work

2) Social group work.
3) Community organization.
4) Social work research.
5) Social welfare administration.
6) Social Action
The First three are known as direct helping methods and the last three are secondary methods or
auxiliary methods. These six social work methods are systematic and planned ways of helping people.

Social case work deals with individual problems- individual in the total environment or as a part
of it. An individual is involved in the problem as he is unable to deal with it on his own, because of
reasons beyond his control. His anxiety sometimes temporarily makes him incapable of solving it. In any
case, his social functioning is disturbed. The case worker gets information regarding the client's total
environment, finds out the causes, prepares a treatment plan and with professional relationship tries to
bring about a change in the perception and attitudes of the client.

Social group work is a social work service in which a professionally qualified person helps
individuals through group experience so as to help them move towards improved relationships and
social functioning. In group work individuals are important and they are helped to improve their social
relationships, with flexible programs, giving importance to the personality development of the
individual in group functioning and relationships. The group is the medium and through it and in it,
individuals are helped to make necessary changes and adjustments.

Community Organization is another method of social work. Being made up of groups, a

community means an organized systems of relationships but in reality no community is perfectly
organized. Community Organization is a process by which a systematic attempt is made to improve
relationships in a community. Identifying the problems, finding out resources for solving community
problems, developing social relationships and necessary programs to realize the objectives of the
community are all involved in community organization. In this way the community can become self-
reliant and develop a co-operative attitude among its members.

Social Welfare Administration is a process through which social work services both I private and
public, are organized and administered. Developing programs, mobilizing resources, involving
selection and recruitment of personnel, proper I organization, coordination, providing skillful and
sympathetic leadership, guidance I i and supervision of the staff, dealing with financing and budgeting
of the program and evaluation are, some of the functions of a social worker in administration.

Social work research is a systematic investigation for finding out new facts, test old hypotheses,
verify existing theories and discover causal relationships of the problems in which the social worker is
interested. In order to scientifically initiate any kind of social work programs, a systematic study of the
given situation is necessary, through social work research and surveys.

Social action aims at bringing about desirable changes to ensure social progress. Creating
awareness about social problems, mobilizing resources, encouraging different sectors of people to
raise their voice against undesirable practices, and also creating pressure to bring about legislation
are some of the activities of the social workers using the method of social action. It seeks to achieve a
proper balance between community needs and solutions mainly through individual and group
initiatives and self-help activities.

Learning Log:
How important do you think the discipline of social work in addressing
social issues of the country?

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transmission in any form, medium and manner of any of the contents of the modules (digital or printed) for whatever purpose is strictly prohibited.
 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

Answer:

FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL WORK

The basic functions of social work are restoration, provision of resources and prevention. These
are interdependent and intertwined. Restoration of impaired social functioning has two aspects-
curative and rehabilitative. The curative aspect eliminates the factors responsible for the individual's
impaired social functioning. That means disturbed interpersonal-relations are corrected by removing
the factors responsible for it. After removing the factors responsible for the problem, the individual has
to adjust to the new remedy or device suggested. The individual is helped to adjust to the needs of the
new situation. That is what is known as rehabilitative aspect. For example, a hearing aid is suggested
as a curative measure for partially deaf child, whose social relations are impaired due to the problem.
That is the curative aspect. Getting oneself adjusted to the hearing aid is the rehabilitative aspect.

Provision of resources has two aspects, the developmental and the educational. The
developmental aspect is designed to enhance effectiveness of the resources and to improve
personality factors for effective social interaction. For example, Mr & Mrs X are living happily in spite of
some differences of opinion. They are not going in for a divorce and there is no problem in their
marriage. But with the help of a family counselling agency, they can sort out their differences and
improve their relationship. This is what is known as the developmental aspect. The educational
spectrum is designed to acquaint the public with specific conditions and needs for new or changing
situations. For example, a talk given by a counsellor to alleviate family and marriage problems is an
educational process.
The third function of social work is prevention of social dysfunction. It includes early discovery,
control or elimination of conditions and situations that potentially Professional Social Work: Nature,
Scope, Goals and Functions Basics of Social Work could, hamper effective social functioning. For
example, starting a youth club in some areas for boys may help prevent juvenile delinquency.
Premarital counselling for youth may prevent marriage problems in future.

WHO IS A SOCIAL WORKER?

Social workers are professionals who aim to enhance overall well-being and help meet basic
and complex needs of communities and people. Social workers work with many different populations
and types of people, particularly focusing on those who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in
poverty.

Depending on their specialty, job title and place of employment, a social worker may be
required to participate in legislative processes that often result in the formation of social policies. They
lean on social work values and principles, as well as academic research to carry out their work. Social
workers are educated and trained to address social injustices and barriers to their client’s overall
wellbeing. Some of these include poverty, unemployment, discrimination and lack of housing. They
also support clients and communities who are living with disabilities, substance abuse problems, or
experience domestic conflicts.

TEN MAJOR COMPETENCIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF A SOCIAL WORKER

1. Identify as a professional social worker and conduct oneself accordingly.
Social Workers:
a) advocate for client access to the services of social work;
b) practice personal reflection and self-correction to assure continual professional
development;
c) attend to professional roles and boundaries;
d) demonstrate professional demeanor in behavior, appearance, and communication;
This module is an intellectual property of the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, distribution, display or
transmission in any form, medium and manner of any of the contents of the modules (digital or printed) for whatever purpose is strictly prohibited.
 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

e) engage in career-long learning; and

f) use supervision and consultation.
2. Apply social work ethical principles to guide professional practice.
Social Workers:
a) recognize and manage personal values in a way that allows professional values to guide
practice;
b) make ethical decisions by applying standards of the Code of Ethics, and, as applicable, of
the International Federation of Social Workers/International Association of Schools of Social
Work Ethics in Social Work, Statement of Principles;
c) tolerate ambiguity in resolving ethical conflicts; and
d) apply strategies of ethical reasoning to arrive at principled decisions.
3. Apply critical thinking to inform and communicate professional judgments.
Social Workers:
a) distinguish, appraise, and integrate multiple sources of knowledge, including research-
based knowledge, and practice wisdom;
b) analyze models of assessment, prevention, intervention, and evaluation; and
c) demonstrate effective oral and written communication in working with individuals, families,
groups, organizations, communities, and colleagues.
4. Engage diversity and difference in practice.
Social workers:
a) recognize the extent to which a culture’s structures and values may oppress, marginalize,
alienate, or create or enhance privilege and power;
b) gain sufficient self-awareness to eliminate the influence of personal biases and values in
working with diverse groups;
c) recognize and communicate their understanding of the importance of difference in shaping
life experiences; and
d) view themselves as learners and engage those with whom they work as informants.
5. Advance human rights and social and economic justice.
Social workers:
a) understand the forms and mechanisms of oppression and discrimination;
b) advocate for human rights and social and economic justice; and
c) engage in practices that advance social and economic justice.
6. Engage in research-informed practice and practice-informed research.
Social workers:
a) use practice experience e to inform scientific inquiry; and
b) use research evidence to inform practice.
7. Apply knowledge of human behavior and the social environment.
Social workers:
a) utilize conceptual frameworks to guide the processes of assessment, intervention, and
evaluation; and
b) critique and apply knowledge to understand person and environment.
8. Engage in policy practice to advance social and economic well-being and to deliver effective
social work services.
Social workers:
a) analyze, formulate, and advocate for policies that advance social well-being; and
b) collaborate with colleagues and clients for effective policy action.
9. Respond to contexts that shape practice.
Social workers:
a) continuously discover, appraise, and attend to changing locales, populations, scientific and
technological developments, and emerging societal trends to provide relevant services;
and
b) provide leadership in promoting sustainable changes in service delivery and practice to
improve the quality of social services.

This module is an intellectual property of the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, distribution, display or
transmission in any form, medium and manner of any of the contents of the modules (digital or printed) for whatever purpose is strictly prohibited.
 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

10. Engage, assess, intervene, and evaluate with individuals, families, groups, organizations, and
communities.
Social workers:
a) substantively and effectively prepare for action with individuals, families, groups,
organizations, and communities;
b) use empathy and other interpersonal skills;
c) develop a mutually agreed-on focus of work and desired outcomes
d) Help clients resolve problems;
e) Critically analyze, monitor, and evaluate interventions.

III. ASSESSMENT

ACTIVITY 1: Evaluating Government Response on Coronavirus Pandemic (Application, 2 items ,10 pts each)
Instructions:
Guided with your insights on the nature, scope, and functions of social work, enumerate two
relevant initiative/program/project/action being implemented by the Philippine Government in
response to the present condition of coronavirus pandemic in the country and evaluate how the
discipline of social work is being applied to your chosen gov’t initiative/program to address the given
concern.
Answers for the relevant gov’t projects may be adopted from news on television, online, or from
observation or personal experience. These projects may include examples such as: social amelioration
program (SAP) subsidy, implementation of community quarantine, social distancing and other health
protocols, “Balik Probinsya” program, and many more.

How Social Work is Applied to the said Gov’t

Enumerate Relevant Gov’t Project in Response
Project
to Coronavirus Pandemic
Clarity/Organization of Thoughts - 4 pts
Grammar/Sentence Structure – 4 pts
Very Good Good Needs
(2 items, 2 pts each)
(4) (3) Improvement (2)
1. Explanation:

2. Explanation:

IV. ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:

You may access the following topic links below for additional educational resources for your readings.
YOUTUBE:
What is Social Work? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xj5-Vdh1B3E
Social Workers Are Heroes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A27QjpQ_Ieo

V. REFERENCES

Abadingo, L., (2018) Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc.
Arcinas, M., (2016) Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.
Cauyan, J., Brillon, C., Quilicol, R., (2017) Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences.
Quezon City: Vibal Group, Inc.
Cleofe, M., Liquigan, B., Madrigal, C., (2016) Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social
Sciences. Makati City: Diwa Learning Systems Inc
Council on Social Work Education (2020). Ten Core Competencies of Social Work
This module is an intellectual property of the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, distribution, display or
transmission in any form, medium and manner of any of the contents of the modules (digital or printed) for whatever purpose is strictly prohibited.
 Disciplines and Ideas in Applied Social Sciences
Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Name:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph

S.Y. 2020-2021 First Trimester Grade Level/Section:

MODULE 9 – Soc Sci 12 Subject Teacher:

Practice. Information retrieved from http://sswlhc.org/wp-

content/uploads/2018/01/SOWK_CSWE-Ten-Core-Competencies.pdf
Sampa, E., (2019) Disciplines and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences. Quezon City: Rex Book
Store, Inc.
Truell, R. (2014). What is Social Work? Information retrieved from
https://www.theguardian.com/social-care-network/2014/jul/07/what-is-social-work

This module is an intellectual property of the University of the Cordilleras Senior High School. Unauthorized reproduction, modification, distribution, display or
transmission in any form, medium and manner of any of the contents of the modules (digital or printed) for whatever purpose is strictly prohibited.