SOCIAL WORK THEORY

Social Work Practice



Social Work Theory

Introduction

Social work is a discipline that derived from professional practice and social worker assistant, which aims to promote change, i.e. the society building and problem solving in human relationships to enhance well-being by applying various theories as human behaviour, social systems and a methodology that integrates the social work case, group and community. For all this, social justice and human rights are fundamental to social work. We can also define social work as a system of values, theory and practice interrelated. It could also be introduced as an interdisciplinary professional activities designed to help individuals and families in enhancing the recovery or ability to function in society by performing appropriate social roles and creating conditions favorable for this purpose. Social work does not only support social change and problem solving in human relationships, but the impact wherever people interact with their environment. People affected such as poverty, homelessness, unemployment, domestic violence, alcoholism or drug addiction - are subject to professional social assistance (aimed at helping others, focus on solving the problems of individuals or social groups) (Farley et al, 2006, p. 12-37). Social work includes both direct works with people in need, as well as institutional and administrative activities, so that desirable social objectives can be met. Among the methods of social work should be distinguished: social work with the unit (using the individual case), social work with a group / family and social work with the local community.

Social Work Values

The courage, dignity and equality of each person are the fundamental principles of social work, motivated by social justice and human rights. Social work practice is based on human needs and developing human potential, which the profession strives to integrate the excluded, oppressed and vulnerable and poverty alleviation. All values ??are expressed in codes of professional ethics and international social work. Social work is a values-based profession: that is, everything social workers do must be with professional values in mind. The purpose of which is the promotion of community and human welfare. It targets economic and social justice, avoiding conditions limiting human-rights, poverty alleviation, and raising the standard of life. Values involve what you do and do not consider important and worthwhile. They also involve judgments and decisions about relative worth—that is, about "what is more valuable" and "what is less valuable" (Flexner, 1915, p. 576-590).

Social Work and Ethics

Social work and ethics go hand-in-hand with each other. Ethics are main beliefs/ doctrines/ principles, derived from values, specifying good and bad and what should be abstained from. One must consider every action undertaken, as a social worker, from the perspective of professional ethics and obligations. Ethical responsibilities take precedence over theoretical knowledge, research findings, practice wisdom, agency policies, and of course one's own personal values, preferences, and beliefs. In real-life decisions values and ethical principles conflict constantly. This can result in ethical dilemmas, where a choice has to be made between two or more ...