Social Work notes

🌍 Global Definition of Social Work

Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.

Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work.

Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.

⭐ Principles of Social Work

Key principles include:

  • ⚖ Social justice

  • 🤝 Respect for people’s worth

  • 🧍 Human rights and dignity

  • 🎓 Competence

  • 💡 Integrity

  • ❤ Service

  • 🔒 Confidentiality

  • 🔄 Social change

  • 👥 Human relations

  • 💪 Empowerment

👩‍⚕ Characteristics of a Social Worker

Good social workers show:

  • Self-awareness

  • Emotional maturity

  • Leadership

  • Responsibility

  • Empathy

  • Adaptability

  • Assertiveness

  • Perseverance

🧑‍🤝‍🧑 What Do Social Workers Do?

Social work developed to help vulnerable groups, such as:

  • Orphans

  • Single mothers

  • Elderly people

Why Social Work Developed

  • Poverty

  • Inequality

  • Exploitation

Originally:

  • Services started through religious organisations

  • Later taken over by government departments

Social Workers

They:

  • Help solve problems

  • Improve people’s lives

  • Implement social policies and laws

  • Support individuals and communities

Clients are called:

  • Clients

  • Service users

Training

Social workers:

  • Study a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

  • Complete theory and fieldwork

  • Are trained as generalist professionals (they work with many different social issues).

🏥 Where Do Social Workers Work?

Social workers work in many specialised fields.

🧠 Clinical Social Work

  • Mental health

  • Psychosocial problems

  • Therapy and counselling

👶 Child Welfare Protection

  • Adoption

  • Foster care

  • Child abuse prevention

  • Support for at-risk youth

🏫 School Social Work

  • Social, emotional and behavioural problems of learners

  • Support for parents and educators

🏥 Medical Social Work

  • Support individuals and families with health problems

🏘 Community Development

  • Empower communities

  • Reduce inequality

💊 Substance Abuse Counselling

  • Rehabilitation centres

  • Community programmes

🧬 HIV/AIDS Support

  • Counselling

  • Prevention programmes

  • Family support

👵 Gerontological Social Work

  • Focus on older adults

  • Housing

  • Healthcare

  • Social isolation

🚨 Trauma & Crisis Intervention

  • Natural disasters

  • Traumatic events

⚖ Correctional Social Work

  • Rehabilitation of offenders

  • Reintegration into society

  • Prevent re-offending (recidivism)

🏛 Where Social Workers Are Employed

Government Departments

  • Department of Social Development (DSD)

  • Department of Education

  • Department of Justice

  • Department of Correctional Services

NGOs

  • Families South Africa (FAMSA)

  • South African National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (SANCA)

  • National Institute for Crime Prevention and Rehabilitation of Offenders (NICRO)

  • Child Welfare

🧾 Social Welfare vs Social Work

Social Welfare

An organised system of services and assistance to improve societal well-being.

Examples:

  • Economic assistance

  • Health services

  • Psychosocial support

Social Work

A profession and academic discipline focused on:

  • Social change

  • Social development

  • Empowerment of people

⚖ Differences Between Social Work and Social Welfare

Social Work

  • Directly helps:

    • Individuals

    • Families

    • Communities

  • Includes:

    • Counselling

    • Advocacy

    • Support

Social Welfare

  • Focuses on policy and programmes

  • Operates at societal level

  • Developed by government and institutions

Similarities

Both aim to:

  • Improve quality of life

  • Promote social justice

  • Support individuals and communities

They work together to help society.

🏛 Social Work Approaches

1⃣ Residual Approach

  • Help only when people cannot help themselves

  • Family and community support comes first

  • Social services are last resort

  • Help in crisis situations

  • Support stops when crisis ends

  • Uses means testing (to check eligibility)

2⃣ Institutional Approach

  • Government provides social welfare services

  • State becomes primary provider

  • Services available to all members of society

  • Forms basis of civil and political rights

3⃣ Social Development Approach

Focus:

  • Reduce inequality from apartheid

  • Provide welfare access to everyone

Key Features patel!!!

1⃣ Rights-based development

2⃣ Align economic and social policies

3⃣ Democratic participation

4⃣ Collaboration between NGOs, government, business

5⃣ Equity and fairness in services

🎓 Training of Social Workers

Education

  • 4-year Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

  • NQF Level 8

Includes:

  • Theory

  • Fieldwork

  • Practical training

Goal:

  • Develop professional competencies

  • Help individuals, families, groups and communities

Regulatory Body

SACSSP

(South African Council for Social Service Professions)

CPD

Continuing Professional Development:

  • Workshops

  • Conferences

  • Seminars

Required to remain registered.

📚 Important Universities

  • University of Cape Town — 1924

  • Stellenbosch University — 1931

  • University of Pretoria — 1931

🏅 What Makes Social Work a Profession

Social work is a profession because it has:

  • A theoretical base

  • Legislative recognition

  • Ethical principles and values

📜 Important Historical Dates

1900

➡ Charity work became an occupation

1920

➡ Social workers began working in hospitals and schools

1930

➡ Social work gained professional status

👩 Important Figures in Social Work

👩 Jane Addams

Known as the Mother of Social Work

  • Founded Hull House

  • Started the Settlement House Movement

  • Helped immigrants and poor communities

🇿🇦 Charlotte Maxeke

First social worker in South Africa.

  • Court Native Welfare Officer

  • Probation Officer

  • Advocate for women’s and workers’ rights

👩 Emily Hobhouse

  • British welfare activist

  • Exposed conditions in Boer War concentration camps

  • Worked for welfare of women and children

✊ Winnie Madikizela Mandela

  • Graduate of Jan Hofmeyr School of Social Work

  • Anti-apartheid activist

  • Leadership roles in social work policies

⚠ The “Poor White” Problem

Early 20th century South Africa:

  • Poverty among white Afrikaners in rural areas.

Carnegie Commission (1929)

Investigated the problem.

1932 Report recommended:

  • Development of social work profession

  • Creation of Department of Social Welfare (1937)

But services were mainly for white people.

🧠 Greenwood’s Professional Characteristics (1957)

Ernest Greenwood identified 5 attributes of a profession:

1⃣ Specialized knowledge

2⃣ Professional authority

3⃣ Self-regulation

4⃣ Code of ethics

5⃣ Professional culture

Important milestones:

1958 – NASW working definition of social work

1960 – NASW Code of Ethics adopted.

💼 Competencies of Social Workers

Ethical and Professional Behaviour

Maintain professional integrity.

Diversity and Difference

Work with people from different:

  • Cultures

  • Religions

  • Ethnic backgrounds

  • Sexual orientations

Human Rights and Justice

Promote:

  • Social justice

  • Economic justice

  • Environmental justice

Practice-Informed Research

Practice informs research and research informs practice.

Policy Practice

Policies shape social service delivery.

Social Work Practice Process

1⃣ Engagement

2⃣ Assessment

3⃣ Intervention

4⃣ Evaluation

🌐 Professional Organisations

  • National Association of Social Workers (NASW)

  • Association for Community Organisations (ACOSA)

  • International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW)

  • National Association of Black Social Workers