SOCIAL WORK

PRINCIPLES
S O U R C E : S O C I A L W E L FA R E A N D S O C I A L W O R K , T H E L M A L E E -
MENDOZA
 SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES

• It is a certain basic principles or rules of action that guides the

practitioner.

• So what are the general/common principles that the worker

use in their work with people whether as individuals, as
groups or as communities?

• Let’s find out…

 ACCEPTANCE

• It means respecting the client, understanding the meaning and

causes of the client’s behavior, and showing genuinely warm
interest and concern in the client and his situation.
• For example: In a family agency, a social worker finds an adolescent
boy who is full of hostility and resentment towards her mother. She
allows the boy to ventilate his feelings, expressing understanding,
without taking sides or be biased of the boy’s perceptions.

* However, principle of acceptance doesn’t mean approval of

deviant attitudes or behavior. It means dealing with the client as
he is in reality.
• Recognize that people have strengths and weaknesses, as well
as capacities and limitations

• Part of it is the personal discipline with which the worker is

able to accept people’s eccentricities, biases and prejudices

• When mutual acceptance is present, rapport/ positive client-

worker relationship already exists.
 PARTICIPATION

• Client’s participatory is important. He/She is the one who will

determine or find out solutions to his/her problems.
• Worker does not take over in a helping relationship
• Worker’s role is to facilitate the client in solving his/her
problems
 SELF DETERMINATION

• Any individual has the right to determine what his needs are and
how they should be met
• The worker does not do everything for the client but he’s there
to guide him.
• Client is capable of self-help
• A client develops or regains her self-respect and self-confidence
when he realizes that he is able to solve his own problems
• For example: family planning work

• Limitations in the principle of Self-determination

• Age
• Incapacitating conditions
• Mental illness and mental retardation
 INDIVIDUALIZATION

• Recognition and understanding that each client has unique

qualities and experiences

• Every man is in certain respects (a) like all other men (b) like
some other men (c) like no other men –Kluckhohn, Murray
and Schneider

• No two person are exactly alilke

 CONFIDENTIALITY

• It is to provide client protection, within the limits of the law,

from harm that might result from his divulging information to
the worker.

• Trust- is an important element in a client-worker relationship.

 WORKER SELF-AWARENESS

• Social worker should always be conscious that her role is to

make use of her professional relationship that will enhance
primarily the client’s development rather than her own.

• Self-discipline is crucial to this principle

• Conscious use of one’s self is also part of this principle. It

includes the capacity to set limits when necessary.
 CLIENT-WORKER RELATIONSHIP

• the relationship between worker and client is the means for

carrying out the social worker’s function.