THE PHILOSOPHICAL AND VALUE

FOUNDATION OF SOCIAL WORK

Presented by: Ms. Annabelle B. Bercasio, RSW, MSW
Instructor
 THREE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

1. Value - defined as that worth which man

attaches to certain things, systems or persons
within the realm of usefulness, truth, goodness or
beauty. They are formulations of preferred
behavior held by individuals or groups and their
preferences. They actually are the source of
attitudes and determine our relationships with
others.
 THREE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS

2. Knowledge - refers to what is thought to be, as

confirmed by reality. It denotes the picture of man
has built of the world and himself as it is, not as
he might wish or fantasize or prefer it to be. It
seems to be established by the highest,
standards of objectivity and rationality of which
man is capable. It is then concerned with facts
and information.
 THREE ESSENTIAL COMPONENTS
3.Skill - It defines as the ability, expertise or
proficiency gained from practice and knowledge.
Professional skill, therefore refers to one’s ability to
apply the knowledge and values of one’s
profession in her work with people. Social work
practice has been referred to as “an art with
scientific and value foundation.”
➢Ethics is the science that treats of morals and right
conduct.

➢Professional ethics is the system of ethical principles

and rules of conduct generally accepted by the
members of a professional group based on
philosophy, values, and guiding principles of that
profession
 PROFESSIONAL ETHICS
There are 2 aspects:

1. The profession’s code of ethics which is the written expression of

some the principles and rules of conduct for the guidance of the
professional group
2. The unwritten principles and rules of conduct which usually have the
same force as the code

✓ Together they serve as the compass which helps guide the

practitioner in her professional relationships with her client ,
colleagues and her profession, with her agency and with the public
 Code of Ethics
• The Philippine Association of Social Worker’s Code of Ethics
as revised in 1998:

We the members of the Philippines Association of Social

Workers, Inc. believing:
- in the inherent worth and dignity of all persons emanating
from Supreme Being who directs our actions of love fro
everyone;
- that every human being has natural and social rights,
capacities and responsibilities to develop his full potential as a
human being
 Code of Ethics
- in the human being’s capacity to change and
recognize the value of unity in diversity, individual
differences and pluralism in society;

- in free men and women living in a free society where

poverty in all its forms is neither a fate nor a punishment
but is a condition that can and must be changed;
 Code of Ethics
- in the family as the basic unit of society and its vital
role in the growth and development if the individual, family
system, and the community;

- that the government, the private sector and the public

have a joint responsibility to promote social justice and to
ensure the political, economic and social well-being of all
people;
 Code of Ethics
- in the role of social workers as agents and advocate
of change and in the promotion of professionalism,
responsibility and accountability; and

- that our professional practice is deeply rooted in our

cultural values
 DO HEREBY DECLARE …
that we will abide by these standards of ethical conduct:

A. Relative to self and the profession;

B. Relative to clients
C. Relative to colleagues
 Unwritten duties and obligations
1. Duties toward clients

2. Duties toward colleagues and the profession

3. Duties toward the agency/organization

4. Duties toward the community/public

 Ethical Dilemmas

1. Manipulation- the matter of influencing clients to act in

the way a worker wants them to act in response to a given
situation.
2. Advocacy- some promote unnecessary conflict
situations, resorting to various machinations.
3. Conflicting Loyalties- professionals unite against
outsiders who threaten the privileges and rewards of the
group
4. Cultural and other realities
THE LEGAL BASES
❖R.A. 4373 (the Social Work Law,
1965) – “no social work agency shall
operate and be accredited unless it
shall first have registered with the
Social Welfare Administration which
shall issue the corresponding
certificate of recognition”
▪ R.A. 5416 (1968) - empowers the
Department to : set standards and
policies, accredit public and private
institution and organizations engaged in
social welfare activity, and coordinate
government and voluntary efforts in
social welfare work
✓ R.A 10847 (2016) - An Act Lowering
The Age Requirement For Applicants
Taking The Board Examination For Social
Workers, Providing For Continuing Social
Work Education, And Upgrading The
Sundry Provisions Relative To The
Practice Of Social Work