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INTRODUCTION TO SOCIAL WORK

Presentation · July 2020

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.16634.31688

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INTRODUCTION TO
SOCIAL WORK

Dr. Mirshad Rahman T M

Assistant Professor & Head
Department of Sociology and Social Work
GEMS Arts and Science College, Malappuram
Email: rahmansocialwork@gmail.com
Contact: +91 9995468856, +91 8903280869
 OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION
• Why Social Work?
• Misconceptions about Social Work
• Professional Social Work – Features
• Methods of Social Work
• Scope of Social Work
• Characteristics of Social Work
• Objectives of Social Work
• Functions of Social Work

26-07-2020 Dr. Mirshad Rahman T M, MSW, NET, UGC-SRF, 2

PhD.
(Contd.)
• Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) – An Overview
• BSW – Course objectives
• Subjects covered in BSW
• BSW – Components
• Fields of Social Work in India
• Skills and Qualities – Social Workers
• Career opportunities
• Associations/ Professional bodies of Social Work
 Why Social Work?
• Primary mission of PSW - to enhance human well-being.
• Focus both on the person/client and their environment.
• Social workers help clients deal not only with how they feel
about a situation but also with what they can do about it.
• Social workers help relieve people's suffering, fight for social
justice, and improve lives and communities.
• It is the only profession which studies social problems, its
origin, interrelation etc. and provides systematic solution to
such problems.
 Misconceptions about Social Work
• Misconception – Social work is Sramadan, alms-giving, religious
activity, charity work etc.
• Many politicians, religious leaders and philanthropists are
regarded as social workers by the common man.
• Social work is a profession and scientific discipline originated
recently.
• A Social Worker is a trained person who receives remuneration
for his services like any other professions.
• Social work is based on certain principles and philosophy that
help to practice it with scientific knowledge and skills.
• It requires education and training for any person to practice it.
 Professional Social Work - Features
 Compared to other disciplines, professional social work is
relatively young.
 Problem solving profession.
 Helps individuals, groups and communities to find solutions for
their problems.
 Field work and research in addressing the problems of various
client groups.
 Professional social work makes people independent rather than
dependent.
 (Contd.)
• Professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the
quality of life and well being of an individual, group or
community.
• Relationship is the key tool of social work.
• It promotes study, diagnosis, research and resource mobilization.
• Social work simply means ‘help people to help themselves’.
• "Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day; show him how to
catch fish, and you feed him for a lifetime”.
• Social work is an interrelated system of theory and practice.
• For social workers society is the lab for practical learning – A lab
without walls.
 Methods of Social Work
Social Work
Methods

Primary Methods Secondary

Methods

Social Case work Social Group Work

Community Organization Social Welfare Administration Social Work
Social Action
Research

Source: Bhattacharya, S. (2003). Social Work: An Integrated Approach. Deep and Deep Publications.
 Individual or a
Micro
family

Practice Areas Smaller

Mezzo
of Social Work groups

Large-scale
Macro problems on a
societal level

Source: Derezotes, D. S. (1999). Advanced generalist social work practice. Sage Publications.
 Scope of Social Work
• Case management • Correctional agency settings
• Medical and psychiatric • Community development
social work settings
• Counselling • Academician
• Family and child welfare • School setting
• Youth welfare • Social welfare agencies.
• Welfare of the weaker section • Industrial agency setting/CSR.
• Grass root • Gerontological settings
advocacy
organizations • Environmental issues
• Community health agencies • Crisis intervention
• Prison welfare service. • Disability settings etc.
 Characteristics of Social Work
• Social work is a welfare activity based on humanitarian
philosophy.
• It respects the worth and dignity of individuals.
• It assists individuals, groups and communities to become self
reliant and inter dependent.
• Social work has a strong scientific base.
• It is closely related to psychology and sociology.
• It is an activity that helps to cope with problems.
• It requires specific knowledge, skills acquired through formal
training.
• It is remunerative.
 Objectives of Social Work
1. To Solve psycho-social problems.
2. To fulfil humanitarian needs.
3. To solve adjustmental problems.
4. To create self sufficiency.
5. To make harmonious social relations.
6. Develop democratic values.
7. Provide opportunities for development and social programme.
8. Provide socio legal act.
9. Change the environment in favour of individuals growth
and development
10. Bring change in the social system for social development.
Source: Miśra, P. Ḍ. (1994). Social work philosophy and methods. Inter-India Publications.
 Functions of Social Work
1. Curative Function - (medical and health services, services
relating to psychiatry, child guidance, child welfare services,
services for the differently abled etc.)
2. Correctional Function - (prison reform, family welfare
services,school social work, industrial social work etc.)
3. Preventive Function - (public assistance, social legislation,
adult education and prevention of diseases etc.)
4. Developmental Function - (socio-economic development
activities such as: education, recreational services, urban and
rural development and programmes of integration etc.)
Source: Miśra, P. Ḍ. (1994). Social work philosophy and methods. Inter-India Publications.
Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) – An Overview
• The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree program provides
the education and experience necessary for a career in social
work.
• It prepares graduates for beginning generalist social work
practice with individuals, families, groups, organizations and
communities.
• The curriculum (theory and field work) helps students prepare
for the professional responsibilities of social work and acquire
the skills needed for effective social work practice.
• 3 year course (theory 50%, field work 50%)
• Any stream in XII – science/commerce/humanities.
 BSW – Course objectives
• It helps to gain conceptual clarity and ability to perform as
social work professionals.
• To develop the foundational skills in working with
individuals, groups and communities.
• Training provided to engage in evidence-based practice and
to be equipped with research skills.
• To promote the ability of the students to work independently
and in teams.
• To understand the ethical standards of the social work
profession and encourage social sensitivity with responsiveness.
 Subjects covered in BSW
• Introduction to Social
Work
• Human behavior and the
lifespan
• Social welfare policy
• Social work research and
statistics
• Social work administration
• Field Practicum
• Practices for working
with individuals and
families
• Group practice methods.
• Introduction to Counselling
• Sociology for social work
• Social policy and
social legislations
 BSW - Components
• Theory papers
• Observation Visits
• Concurrent Field Work (IC/GC)
• Rural/Tribal Camps
• Participatory Rural Appraisal Camps.
• Dissertation/Project
• Industrial Visits/Study tour/ NGO Visits
• Block placement
• Winter/Summer Internships
• Community Extension programs/Mini projects.
 Fields of Social Work in India
Emerging fields
• Generic social work
• Medical & Psychiatric Social Work. • Gerontological work
• Community Development. • Disability social work
• Family & Child Welfare. • Correctional social work
• Industrial social work. • Child rights and Protection
• Youth development
• Public and Mental health etc.
 Skills and Qualities – Social Workers
I am….
A. a good listener who is supportive.
B. a strategic thinker with big ideas.
C. a patient teacher and problem solver.
D. a good speaker with an interest in political issues.
I would like to work in...
A. an individual or group counseling setting.
B. the administrative offices of a program or agency.
C. a classroom or research setting.
D. local, state or national government.
E. a community based setting (national/international).
(Contd..)
I want to spend my day...
A. working directly with clients.
B. strategizing and implementing programs and policies.
C. conducting research and/or teaching others.
D. lobbying individuals, agencies and organizations for legislative action.
E. championing the rights of individuals and communities.
I would like to work with...
A. individuals and families in need of assistance.
B. agency or program leaders and decision-makers.
C. students, educators and researchers.
D. politicians and community leaders.
E. grassroots organizations and community leaders.
(Contd..)
I want to make an impact by...
A. helping people overcome setbacks and challenges.
B. developing programs and policies that improve lives.
C. improving the way social work is practiced and implemented.
D. influencing government to ensure social justice for all.
E. inspiring the community to represent and defend others.
Pic. Courtesy: National Association of Social Workers
26-07-2020 Dr. Mirshad Rahman T M, MSW, NET, UGC-SRF, PhD. 23
26-07-2020 Dr. Mirshad Rahman T M, MSW, NET, UGC-SRF, 24
PhD.
 Career opportunities
• NACO (National Aids Control • UNICEF (United Nations International
Organization) Children Emergency Fund), WHO
• CAPART (Council for • World Health Organization
Advancement of People’s Action
and Rural Technology) • ILO (International Labour
Organization)
• CSWB (Central Social Welfare Board)
• Ford Foundation
• CRY (Child Relief and You)
• Action Aid
• Child line (1098)
• CARE (Co operative America
• MINDS Foundation Relief Everywhere)
• CRY (Child Rights and You) • DESH (Deepam Educational Society
• Oxfam India. for Health)
 Career opportunities (contd..)

• Azim Premji Foundation • The Oak Tree Foundation

• KILA – Kerala Institute of • SOS (Save Our Souls)
Local Administration
• Help Age International, etc.
• The Gandhi Fellowship
• Save the Children
• DFID (Department for
International Development)
• World Vision
 Associations/ Professional bodies of Social Work
National
• National Association of Professional Social Workers in India (NAPSWI)
https://www.napswi.org/
• India Network of professional Social Workers Associations (INPSWA)
http://inpswa.org/
• Indian Society of Professional Social Work
(ISPSW) http://ispsw.in/
• Kerala Association of Professional Social Workers
(KAPS) http://kaps.org.in/
• The Association of the Schools of Social Work of Kerala (ASSK)
https://asskportal.org/
 Associations/ Professional bodies of Social Work
International
• National Association of Social Workers (NASW)
https://www.socialworkers.org/
• Canadian Association of Social Workers (CASW)
https://www.casw-acts.ca/en
• The British Association of Social Workers
(BASW) https://www.basw.co.uk/
• The International Association Of Schools Of Social Work (IASSW)
https://www.iassw-aiets.org/
 Thanks a ton!

Be the change you wish to see in the world

- Mahatma Gandhi

26-07-2020 Dr. Mirshad Rahman T M, MSW, NET, UGC-SRF, PhD. 30

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