SPECIALIZED SUBJECT-HUMSS

DISCIPLINES AND IDEAS IN THE

APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES
_____ Semester, SY _____________
QUARTER 1, MODULE 5
THE DISCIPLINE OF SOCIAL WORK, PART I

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Discipline and Ideas in the Applied Social Sciences
Self-Learning Module
____Semester, SY _____Quarter 1– Module 5: The Discipline of Social Work, PART 1
First Edition, 2021

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 Lesson 1 THE DISCIPLINE OF
SOCIAL WORK

INTRODUCTION

Hello, Senior high learner! In this lesson, you will learn to:

1. identify the goals and scope of social work; and

2. explain the principles and core values of social work.

Before we proceed, let us first take time to reflect on these questions:

1. What is social work and its value in enhancing the quality of life of an individual,
groups and communities?
2. What comprises its services, processes and methods?
3. How do social workers help members of society?
The environment keeps on changing rapidly. The social situations call for humane and
sustained development interventions and social services that seek to enhance individual and
community life.

Do you ever want a profession that focuses on helping the society? Social work is the
profession you may want to be!

In this module, you will be aware and concern of the reality of social problems involved
in shaping a society that ensures a high quality of life and social justice for all social members.

LESSON AND PRACTICES

Discussion of the Lesson

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. Through social work, people enhance their skills and ability so that they can use their
own resources and of the community to resolve social problems.

Social work does not only deal with individual and personal problems but also
addresses social issues such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence. Social
workers play different roles and duties in society. They can involve in advocacy campaign and
work, counseling, issue and conflict mediation and research. They can also serve as
educators, case managers, facilitators and agents of community change.

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Goals of Social Work

The primary mission of social work profession is to develop human beings and assist other
instuitions in attaining the basic human needs of people and empowering the lost, the least
and the last. These goals are outlined and describe below:

1. Caring
- It refers to the heart of social work and it focuses on the well-being or the
welfare and comfort of the individual and community. (Example: volunteers of Philippine
Red Cross, caring and sharing their resources, time and efforts to alleviate human
suffering)
2. Curing
- It refers to the aspect of treating people with problems in social functioning
(Example: Counseling and therapy)
3. Changing
- It refers to the active participation of the social workers in social reforms.
(Example: promoting social change and justice like the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino
Program (4P’s).

Scope of Social Work

Morales and Sheafor (1983) identified and described the fields included in the area of
social work, which are as follows:

1. Social Work as a Primary Discipline

a. Child welfare, social work offers adoption and services to unmarried parents, foster
care, residential care, support in own home and protective services.

b. Family services, social work offers family counseling, family life education and family
planning.

c. Income maintenance, social work offers public assistance, social insurances and
other income maintenance programs.

2. Social work as an equal partner

a. Aging, social work offers support for people in their own homes program consist of
helping older people (e.g. senior citizens).

3. Social work as a Secondary Discipline

a. Industry, social workers act as a support to both the managers and the employees
of the company. They make themselves available to the employees with social problems for
individual, family and group counseling.

b. Medical and healthcare, attend to the social and psychological factors that are
contributing to the medical conditions of the patients, link patient with community resources,
provide necessary counseling and link with self-help groups.

c. Schools, the primary tasks of social workers in schools are: facilitate the provision
of direct educational and social services and provide direct social case work and group
services to selected students, act as a pupil advocate, consult with school administrators,
consult with teachers, organize parent and community groups to channel concerns about

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students, develop and maintain liaison between school and critical fields of social work ( e.g.
child welfare, mental health and legal services to the poor) and provide leadership in the
coordination of interdisciplinary skills among students services (e.g. guidance counselors,
psychologists).

Core values of Social Work

The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) stated that the mission of the
social work profession is rooted in a set of core values. These core values include:

Service The primary goal of social workers is exemplary public service through
helping needy people address, manage and resolve various social
problems. Social workers must always elevate public service above
self-interest and personal gain.
Social justice Social workers advocate for social justice and fight against social
injustice. They offer social support and resources for vulnerable
individuals and oppressed groups.
Dignity and worth Social workers value the dignity and worth of each person. They treat
of a person each client in a compassionate and respectful way that is mindful of
individual differences, cultural norms and ethnic diversity.
Importance of Social workers recognize the primary importance of human
human relationships. They understand that relationships between people are
relationship important vehicles for change, advocacy and equity.
Integrity Social workers must always act in trustworthy ways. In order to
maintain their integrity, social workers improve their work expertise
through continually increasing their career competency.
Competence Is a very important value for social work because it separates social
care giving from social work professional practice. Through special
training, a social worker becomes separated from all common sense,
culture and religious-based care.

Principles of Social Work

The social work profession is guided by a distinct set of abstract values and a Code of
Ethics. What follows is a listing of Social Work Principles.

1. Acceptance – is a fundamental social work principle that implies a sincere understanding of

clients. Acceptance is conveyed in the professional relationship through the expression of
genuine concern, receptive listening, intentional responses that acknowledge the other
person’s point of view, and the creation of a climate of mutual respect.

2. Affirming Individuality – To affirm a client’s individuality is to recognize and appreciate the

unique qualities of that client. Individualization requires freedom from bias and prejudice, an
avoidance of labeling and stereotyping, a recognition and appreciation of diversity, and
knowledge of human behavior.

3. Non-judgmentalism – Communicating non-judgmentalism is essential to developing a

relationship with any client. Social workers judge others as neither good or bad nor as worthy
or unworthy.

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4. Self -Determination – The principle of self-determination is based on the recognition of the
right and need of clients to freedom in making their own choices and decisions. Social workers
have a responsibility to create a working relationship in which choice can be exercised.

5. Confidentiality – Confidentiality or the right to privacy implies that clients must give
expressed consent before information such as their identity, the content of discussions held
with them, one’s professional opinion about them, or their record is disclosed.

PRACTICE EXERCISES

PRACTICE EXERCISE 1:

Directions: Read and understand the question carefully. Answer briefly.

What are the goals and scope of social work?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

PRACTICE EXERCISE 2:

Directions: Read and understand the following questions carefully. Answer briefly.

1. What will motivate you to consider engaging in social work? What particular core values of
social work that you are willing to apply in your life? Why?

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

2. Identify and explain the principles of social work.

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Instruction: Please write your learnings from what has been discussed. Write it in your
notebook/answer sheet.

Upon reading the lesson, I learned that…

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

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and realized that…
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

WRITTEN WORKS

Directions: Read the statement carefully. Write the letter that corresponds to your answer.
Use a separate sheet of paper to answer.

1. In the following examples, which one aligns the goal on changing?

a. counseling and therapy c. KABALIKAT Civicom
b. 4Ps d. Red Cross
2. Social work is demonstrated as a primarily discipline in terms of the following child welfare
services EXCEPT:
a. Adoption c. Industry
b. Foster Care d. Protective Service
3. Social work is depicted as a secondary discipline in this setting/s.

a. Corrections c. Medical facilities

b. Industry d. All of the above
4. This is a fundamental social work principle that implies a sincere understanding of clients.
a. acceptance c. confidentiality
b. affirming Individuality d. non-judgmentalism
5. This goal’s main concern is to promote social change and social justice.
a. caring c. creating
b. changing d. curing
6. The following are identified tasks of social workers in the schools EXCEPT:
a. act as a pupil advocate.
b. consult with school administrators.
c. sustaining a helpful connection between the child and the family.
d. develop and maintain liaison between school and critical fields of social work.
7. This principle is based on the recognition of the rights and needs of clients to freedom in
making their own choices and decisions.
a. Acceptance c. Non-judgmentalism
b. Affirming Individuality d. Self-Determination
8. This principle is essential to develop a relationship with any client.
a. Acceptance c. Non-judgmentalism
b. Affirming Individuality d. Self-determination

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9. Which of the following statements is NOT TRUE?
a. Social workers value the dignity and worth of each person.
b. Social workers recognize the primary importance of human relationships.
c. Social workers must always elevate public service above self-interest and personal
gain.
d. Social worker has the right to disclose client’s information such as their identity and
the content of discussions held with them.
10. It is the heart of social work and it focuses on the well-being or the welfare and comfort of
the individual and community.
a. caring c. creating
b. changing d. curing

PERFORMANCE TASK
We are done discussing “The Discipline of Social Work” now, it’s about time to apply what you
have learned to strengthen your knowledge and skills.

JOURNAL IN THIS MODULE WRITING

Directions: Are you familiar with Journal Writing? Journal Writing can help students reflect on
their learning in deep and critical ways. As a student, how can you be an advocate of social
change? Create and write a journal that highlights your answer/ reaction/ reflection on this
question. Squeeze your creative juices and display your intellectual ability in composing it.
The RUBRIC below will be the basis for assessing your work.

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 JOURNAL WRITING RUBRIC

Criteria 5 4 3 2 Points
Creativity Unique and Interesting Simple ideas. Ideas are
original entry, entry. Some Little variation vague or
hooks the variation in in word choice unclear.
reader, word choice and sentence Repeats word
uncommon and sentence structure. and sentence
word choice structure. structure.
and complex
sentence
structures.
Organization The journal The journal is The journal Ideas and
entry is pretty well entry is scenes are
exceptionally organized. somewhat randomly
organized. One idea or hard to follow. arranged.
One idea or scene may
scene follows seem out of
another in place.
logical order.
Comprehension The reader The reader The reader The reader
can can can can
understand all understand understand understand
of what I am most of what I less than half little of what I
trying to am trying to of what I am am trying to
communicate. communicate. trying to communicate.
communicate.
Total points

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 Lesson 2 PROFESSIONALS AND
PRACTITIONERS IN SOCIAL
WORK

INTRODUCTION

Hello Senior high learner! In this lesson, you will learn to:
1. explain the roles and functions of social work;
2. identify specific work areas in which social workers work;
3. value rights, responsibilities and accountabilities; and
4. distinguish between ethical and unethical behaviors among practitioners.
Social work is an active profession with wide array of responsibilities in the caring,
curing and changing. It is also present in diverse settings. With this context, it is assumed that
the roles and functions of social workers are likewise varied.
Who do you think are the professionals and practitioners in the discipline of social
work? How important is their role in helping and solving the problems of the changing patterns
of society?
To further deepen your appreciation on social work as a profession, let us then get to
know professionals and practitioners in social work.

LESSON AND PRACTICES

Roles and Function of a Social Worker

There are several duties that a social worker typically performs to the people and the
community they serve. Accordingly, these are the roles and functions of a social worker.
ROLES DESCRIPTION
Broker The social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link
a family or person to needed resources. This requires knowing
resources, eligibility requirements, fees and the location of services.
Advocate Social workers are particularly concerned for those who are
vulnerable or unable to speak for themselves.
Case manager 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.

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 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.
Organizer Social workers involved in many levels of community organization
and action including economic development, union organization and
research and policy specialists.
Manager As managers, they are able to influence policy change and/or
development, and to advocate on a larger scale, for all
underprivileged people.

Mendoza (2002), the Commission on Practice of the US National Association of Social

Workers in 1958 came up with a statement containing the three functions of social work
namely:

1. Rehabilitative Function – refers to restorative, curative and remedial actions. Social

workers are responsible for assisting individuals and groups to determine and settle or reduce
the problem that came out of the imbalance between the individuals and the environment. This
function attempts to put back the person to a balanced state of social functioning.

2. Preventive Function – detects impending imbalance between the individuals or

group with the environment. This function encompasses early detection, control and
eradication of the situations which may have a damaging effect on the social functioning.

3. Developmental Function – ascertains and strengthens the full potential in

individuals, groups and communities. This function seeks to help the individual make full use
of her/his potentials and capacities and to enhance the effectiveness of available social or
community resources.

Areas of Specialization of Social Workers

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Rights, Responsibilities, Accountabilities of Social Work

Social work foremost rights include the right to fulfill its professional mandates and to
live by its values. Its responsibilities cover those that pertain to the dispensation of its basic
functions, roles, professional standards and adhesive to its local and international codes of
ethics. Social work is accountable to the clients, the general public and the society.

The following are the responsibilities of social workers as to their field of specialization:

 to help children
 assist those life-threatening problems
 aid people in overcoming addictions
 protect and uphold respect for inherent worth and dignity of all people as expressed in
the United Nations Universal declaration of Human Rights (1948)
 promote social justice
 apply the professional values and principles above to their practice
 act with integrity and treat people with compassion, empathy and care

The accountability of a social worker are the clients, colleagues, employers, professional
associations and the law. Social workers are accountable for their actions to the values and
principles of the profession, which require them to act in reliable, honest and trustworthy
manner. They are answerable to their clients, professional bodies like registered social
workers (RSW), certified social workers (CSW), licensed social worker (LSW), licensed clinical
social workers (LCSW) and licensed independent social workers (LISW) organization and the
laws promulgated and enforced by appropriate government agencies.

Code of Ethics

The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct and performance
expected of registered social work. It is a duty of social worker to always protect the health
and well-being of the people who avail of the services.

A sample of ethical principles and ethical standards here are adapted from the Code
of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. These principles and standards set
forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire.

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ETHICAL STANDARDS

The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all social
workers. These standards are concerned with the social workers’ ethical responsibilities to
clients, colleagues, practice settings, professionals, social work profession and the broader
society.

PRACTICE EXERCISES
PRACTICE EXERCISE 1: Directions: Copy the table in your paper or answer sheet and
categorize the words or phrases as to rights, responsibilities and accountabilities of social
work. Choose your answer on the box below.
 aid people in overcoming addictions  to help children
 to fulfill its professional mandates  to the society
 apply the professional values and  to the employers
principles
 to the law  to promote social justice
 aid people in overcoming addictions  assist those life-threatening
problems
 to professional associations  as professionals

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES ACCOUNTABILITIES

  

PRACTICE EXERCISE 2:
Directions: Inside the heart, write as many as you can the qualities of a good social worker.
then answer the questions below.

1. Why is it necessary for a social worker to uphold the ethical standards in performing
their duties?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

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 2. Among the different ethical principles that we have discussed, what aspect of the
principle influences you? Why?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
3. From what you have written, cite one specific quality that you think best fit to a
social worker? Please explain.
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Instructions: Please write your learnings what has been discussed. Write your learnings in
your notebook/answer sheet.

Upon reading the lesson, I learned that…

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

and realized that…

_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

WRITTEN WORKS

Directions: Distinguish the ethical and unethical behavior that a social worker has on the
given situations below then justify your answer. Then, justify your answer. Write your answer
inside the box.
Tricia is a social worker for almost fifteen years. She is very passionate and dedicated
in her profession and line of work she communicates effectively to her clients and colleagues,
and takes responsibility for every decision she makes for her teams. Sometimes, she jokes
around in her workplace or calls her co-workers funny nicknames. In some occasions, the
clients give her expensive gifts she can’t refuse because she is afraid that she might hurt the
feelings of her clients. Sometimes, she shares her concerns and problems about the client’s
situation with her friends and family member.

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 Ethical Unethical

PERFORMANCE TASK
PHOTO COLLAGE

Directions: Cut out pictures showing social workers in their specific work areas while
performing their roles and functions. Create a photo collage with a concept of social work out
of the pictures. You can research online or cut on newspaper or old magazine. Do this in
short/long bond paper. The RUBRIC below will be the basis for assessing your work.

PHOTO COLLAGE RUBRIC

Criteria 20 15 10 5 Points
Attention to The student The student The student The student’s
theme gives gives a gives a fairly explanations
reasonable reasonable reasonable are weak and
explanation on explanation of explanation of illustrate
how every how most how most difficulty
item in the items in the items in the understanding
collage is collage are collage are how to relate
related to the related to the related to the items to the
assigned assigned assigned assigned
theme. For theme. For theme. theme.
most items, many of the
the items, the
relationship is relationship is
clear without clear without
explanation. explanation
Design Graphics are 1-2 graphics 3-4 graphics Graphics are
cut to an are lacking in are lacking in not on
appropriate design or design or appropriate
size, shape placement. placement. size and shape.
and are They may be Too much Glue marks

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 arranged a few background is evident. Most of
neatly. Care smudges or showing. the background
has been glue marks. There are is showing. It
taken to noticeable appears little
balance the smudges or attention was
pictures glue marks. given to
across the designing the
area. Items collage.
are glued
neatly and
securely.
Creativity All of the Most of the Only a few None of the
graphics or graphics or graphics or graphics or
objects used objects used objects reflect objects reflects
in the collage in the collage student student
reflect a reflect creativity, but creativity.
degree of student’s the ideas were
student creativity in typical rather
creativity in their display. than creative.
their display.
Originality/ Many original Several Some original Few original
Interest ideas in original ideas ideas in ideas in
material and in material or material or material or
display are display are display are display are
evident and evident to evident to evident to
stimulate great stimulate stimulated stimulate
deal of much interest. some interest. interest.
interest.
Visual Impact Overall visual Overall visual Overall visual Overall visual
impact is very impact is impact is impact is
effective effective. somewhat limited.
effective.
Total Points

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Textbook
Dela Cruz, A.(2016). The Padayon Series Discipline and Ideas in the Applied Social
Sciences: Phoenix Publishing House, Inc.
Website
The Definition, Scope of Social Work, Goals, Principles, and Core Values of Social
Work https://thesocialworksindiass.wordpress.com/2018/07/31/the-definition-scope-
of-social-work-goals-principles-and-core-values-of-social-work/
https://www.pinoynewbie.com/social-work-profession/
The Discipline of Social Work https://www.slideshare.net/aybipolidario/the-discipline-
of-social-work?qid=dfad7a32-1d5a-4526-8815-
b10c080d468d&v=&b=&from_search=8
Roles of Social Work https://www.csc.edu/socialwork/careers/roles/index.csc
Rights, Responsibilities and Accountabilities of Social Work
https://www.elcomblus.com/rights-responsibilities-and-accountabilities-of-social-
work/#
Code of Ethics of Social Work https://www.elcomblus.com/code-of-ethics-of-social-
work/

Key to Practice Exercises

Lesson 1
Practice Exercise 1
GOALS OF SOCIAL WORK
1. Caring
2. Curing
3. Changing
SCOPE OF SOCIAL WORK
1. Social Work as a Primary Discipline (Child welfare, Family services, Income maintenance)
2. Social work as an equal partner (Aging)
3. Social work as a Secondary Discipline (Industry, Medical and health care, Schools)
Practice Exercise 2
Answers may vary.
Written Works
1. B 6. C
2. C 7. D
3. D 8. C
4. A 9. D
5. B 10. A

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Lesson 2
Practice Exercise 1

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES ACCOUNTABILITIES

 To fulfill its  aid people in  to the law
professional overcoming  to help children
mandates addictions  to the society
 apply the  to the employers
professional values  as professionals
and principles
 assist those life-
threatening problems
 to promote social
justice
 to professional
associations

Practice Exercise 2

Answer may vary

Written Work

Ethical
 passionate and dedicated in her
profession and line of work
 communicate effectively to her
clients and colleagues
 take responsibility for every
decisions
Unethical
 jokes around or calls funny
nicknames
 receives expensive gifts from clients
 shares her concerns and problems
about the clients’ situation

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