SOCIAL WORK PHILOSOPHICAL AND KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION

MODULE 7 : GENERIC / ESSENTIAL TOOLS IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

(Interview, Communication, Recordings, Community Resources, Program and Activities)
: GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE FRAMEWORK
(Integrated Method of Social Work Practice)

LEARNING OUTCOMES:
At the end of module, the students will be able to:
1. Enumerate, define and discuss the five (5) general/essential tools in social work practice
2. Presented and describe the generalist social work practice as an Integrated Method of Social Work Practice

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:
Lecture – Interactive Discussion, Reporting – Sharing of Ideas, Presentation/Demonstration

CONTENT:

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GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE FRAMEWORK
(INTEGRATED METHOD OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE)
 “Generalist Approach” to social work practice → every social worker has to work with individuals,
groups, and the community → methods are more frequently combined in practice (casework – working
with individuals, social group work ( with groups) and community organization (with communities)
 “Integrated Method of Social Work Practice” → is based on the recognition of generics/common
characteristics underlying the method of casework, group work and community organization
 It supports the idea of a “generalist” practitioner, rather than a specialist in anyone of these three (3)
methods.
 The concept of the social worker as a “generalist” or general practitioner who, when necessary and
appropriate can/will work with any client system (individual, group, community)
 The concept of one (any client system) as point of entry for working with other client system
 The concept of total problem – solving (wholistic approach) (where worker sees client as part of
other social system which affect/influence/cause his problems and where, therefore, interventions are
necessary and appropriate
 The concept of client’s problem situation as basic for choice of helping approach, that is, whatever
the situation calls for one – on – one (casework), group or community problem – solving → means
that social worker has the basic knowledge and skill in working with individuals (casework) with
groups (social group work) and with communities (community organization).
 “Generalist” Social Workers → are professionals who work with client systems depending on what
is needed and appropriate, utilizing the basic competence for practice that requires: Philosophical
(Value) Foundation and Knowledge (Scientific) Foundation of Social Work → which comprise the
“generics” of social work or describe the “Generalist Practice of Social Work” – which are
applicable to all types of client systems

PHILOSOPHICAL (VALUE) KNOWLEDGE (SCIENTIFIC)

BASE / FOUNDATION BASE / FOUNDATION

Philosophy - Social Welfare, Policies, Programs and

- Human worth and dignity
Value
- self-realization / self-fulfilment
Principles
- Acceptance, Individualization
Participation, Self – Determination,
Confidentiality, Self – Awareness,
Worker – Client Relationship
Professional Ethics
- Formal Code of Ethics
- Informal, unwritten system of ethics
Services
- Human Behaviour and Social Environment
- Social Work Practice/Methods
(Casework, Group work, Community
Organization)
- Goal : Enhancement of Social Functioning
- Functions: Remedial/Rehabilitative,
Curative, Preventive, Developmental
- Essential Components (client, worker
problem, process)
- The Helping/Problem – Solving Process
(Assessment, Planning,
Implementation/Action, Evaluation,
Termination)
- Helping Models / Approaches
- Interventive Roles
- Generic Tools in SW Practice
(Interview, Communication, Recordings,
Community Resources, Program and
Activities)

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GENERALIST SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE
→ Can be found in:
- Nursing homes
- Domestic violence
- Programs and shelters
- Community mental health programs
- Alcohol and substance – abuse facilities and treatment programs
- Advocacy agencies
- Crisis centers
- Prisons
- Family counselling centers
- Hospitals
→ Key qualities for “generalist” social work practitioners
- Creativity
- Flexibility

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