Social Work Foundation

Review
Week 1
Monique Constance-Huggins, PhD, MSW, MPIA
Outline
Pillars of Social Work
Integrated nature
Ethics and values
Use of case studies
Three pillars of Social Work
Reflexive therapeutic analysis
1. Purpose: To cure a problem
2. Problem: Emotional, relational
3. Activity: Activities that build clients’ relationship with
others, and strengthen their personal growth
4. Areas of work: mental health counseling
Three pillars of social work cont.
Individualist –reformist
1. Purpose: to deliver effective social services
2. Problem: lack of resources
3. Activity: Provide services to support and improve
individual & family functioning
4. Areas of work: Social security; employment
problems; short-term crisis
Three pillars of social work cont.
Socialist-collectivist
1. Purpose: transformational – change the balance of
power in society.
2. Problem: Injustices & disadvantaged positions (e.g.
social problems that arise from poverty and
discrimination).
3. Activities: To advocate & promote cooperation
among all members of society
4. Area of work: group work, community development
Criticism?:
A new perspective: Integrated nature of
Social Work
Common categorizations of social work (such as micro
vs. macro; direct vs. indirect) suggests ‘all or nothing.
These dichotomies are false
An interactive practice model is more appropriate:
Regardless of setting, social workers do direct and
indirect tasks.
What varies are the: emphasis, focus, and amount of
these responsibilities
NASW Code
http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/code.asp
Social work mission rests on 6 core values:
Service
Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need
and to address social problems.
Social justice
Social workers challenge social injustice.
Dignity and worth of the person
Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of
the person.
NASW code cont.
Importance of human relationships
Social workers recognize the central importance of
human relationships.
Integrity
Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
Competence
Social workers practice within their areas of competence
and develop and enhance their professional expertise.
The use of cases
The class relies heavily on cases to describe problems
faced by social workers in different areas of practice.
Advantages of using case study:
Allow for analysis of practice situation
Help students develop problem solving skills
Help with the integration of theory and practice.
Allow for learning through simulation.