MODULE 7:

Professionals and Practitioners in

Social Work
What I Need to Know

Learning Competencies:
1. show an understanding of the roles and functions of social workers
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If -19)
2. identify specific work areas in which social workers work
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If -20)
3. identify career opportunities for social workers
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If -21)
4. value rights, responsibilities and accountabilities
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If -22)
5. distinguish between ethical and unethical behaviors among practitioners
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If -23)

The social work professionals and practitioners are aware that their profession
is based on the principles of human rights and social justice that serve to empower
individuals, groups, and communities to develop their full potential and well-being.
The focus of intervention in social work is the relationship between the individual and
their immediate and wider social environment. Particular emphasis is placed on
meeting the needs of vulnerable and marginalized individuals and groups.
Source: Social Workers Registration Board, 2004

This module is specially made to help you learn the rights, responsibilities and
accountabilities of social worker and as well as to their behavior according to the
Code of Ethics of Social work. For maximum benefit from this module, you have to
follow some guidelines:

1. You must work on this module in the sequence its contents are presented.
2. Read the objectives, answer all the question in pretest.
3. Read and understand the lessons in this module as much as you can.
4. Try to give your best in doing the enrichment activities.
5. Assess yourself through answering the posttest.
 6. Be honest at all times.

What I Know

A. MODIFIED TRUE or FALSE

Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write T on the line if you think the
statement is TRUE. If FALSE, change the underline word or group of words to
make the whole statement true.
1. Social workers keep accurate records.
2. Social workers promote social justice.
3. Social workers deal inappropriately with health and safety risks.
4. Unethical behavior is a must have for social workers.
5. The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct, and performance
expected of registered social workers.
6. Social workers respect the rights and dignity of people.
7. Accuracy of data among social workers is verifying the source.
8. Making decisions for the whole based on the personal preference of the social
worker is essential for social work.
9. Social workers keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date so that
they are able to provide appropriate services.
10. Social workers comply with the laws and regulations governing their practice.

B. CATEGORIZE ME!
Directions: Copy the table in your answer booklet and categorize the words or
phrases below as to RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES
of a social worker.

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES ACCOUNTABILITIES

 OPTIONS:
a. to fulfilling professional mandates
b. to live by its values
c. to the employers
d. to the clients
e. to help children
f. assist those life- threatening problems
g. aid people in overcoming addictions
h. to the society
i. to protect and uphold respect for the inherent worth and dignity of people. j.
to the law
k. to the professional associations
l. to promote social justice

What’s is It

Roles and Functions of a Social Worker

There are several duties that a social worker typically perform to the people and
the community they serve. Accordingly these are the roles and functions of a social
work:

Broker
The social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link a family
or person to needed resources. Social work professionals do not simply provide
information. They also follow up to be sure the needed resources are attained. This
requires knowing resources, eligibility requirements, fees and the location of services.

Advocate
In this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain
needed resources by convincing others of the legitimate needs and rights of
members of society. Social workers are particularly concerned for those who are
vulnerable or are unable to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can occur on the
local, county, state or national level. Some social workers are involved in international
human rights and advocacy for those in need.

Case Manager
Case managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to
access those services. Case management is especially important for complex
situations and for those who are homeless or elderly, have chronic physical or mental
health issues, are disabled, victims of domestic or other violent crimes, or are
vulnerable children.

Educator
Social Workers are often involved in teaching people about resources and how
to develop particular skills such as budgeting, the caring discipline of children,
effective communication, the meaning of a medical diagnosis, and the prevention of
violence.
Facilitator
In this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together
for a variety of purposes including community development, self-advocacy, political
organization, and policy change. Social workers are involved as group therapists and
task group leaders.

Organizer
Social Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and
action including economic development, union organization, and research and policy
specialists.

Manager
Social Workers, because of their expertise in a wide variety of applications,
are well suited to work as managers and supervisors in almost any setting. As
managers, they are better able to influence policy change and/or development, and
to advocate, on a larger scale, for all underprivileged people.
Source: Chadron State College, NE, accessed January 15,
2020, www.csc.edu/socialwork/career/roles/index.csc

People They Serve

Most social workers spend their days working with people. The type of work
social workers do varies based on the groups of people they serve. Common groups
of people that social workers serve include:

• Children
• Older adults
• People with disabilities
• Patients with chronic, acute or terminal diagnoses
• People coping with grief or loss  People with mental illnesses
• People struggling with addiction
Where They Work
Most social workers work in an office setting, though many spend a large
portion of their time visiting clients in their homes, schools, and in the community.
Social workers most often work in the following settings:

• Hospitals, medical clinics, and nursing homes

• Community mental health agencies and substance misuse clinics
• State and local governments including child welfare agencies and
departments of health and human services
• Schools and other youth-serving organizations
• Military bases and veterans affairs clinics
• Correctional facilities
• Private practices

Source: “Social Work Guide”, accessed January 15,

2020, www.socialworkguide.org/careers/

Career Opportunities in Social Work

There is a variety of jobs available for graduates in social work.

Health Board social workers

You could work in one of eight regionally based Health Boards as a
‘Community Care’ social worker for concerns such as psychiatric illness, financial and
environmental difficulties, alcohol and drug-related problems, interpersonal difficulties
and child abuse. All cases dealt with by Health Board social workers include a
child/family dimension.

Medical social workers

You could be employed as a medical social worker by voluntary and
healthboard-run hospitals. You will offer direct help where medical conditions are
complicated by social and emotional factors. Psychiatric social workers work with
patients in psychiatric hospitals and without-patients as well as in a preventative role.

Working for Local Authorities

You could also work for local authorities as a housing welfare officer (social
worker), offering social services to tenants, prospective tenants and/or travellers. This
involves liaising with housing and government departments.

Working for the Department of Justice

As a probation and welfare officer in the Department of Justice, you may work
with the Adoption Board, the courts, or prisons and places of detention. This involves
making recommendations to the appropriate authorities.
Working for Voluntary Agencies
Voluntary agencies catering for specific interest groups also employ social
workers. These include charities, special schools (run by religious groups or parents)
and treatment centres.

Working in Industry
Social workers in industry (‘welfare workers’) are concerned with employees
and pensioners of an organization, e.g. the Army. The work can range from family
problems to work with pensioners and the elderly.

Source: “Association of Higher Education Careers

Services/GTI Ireland”, accessed January 15, 2020,
https://gradireland.com/career-sectors/social-communityand-
youth/career-opportunities-in-social-work

Rights and Responsibilities, Accountabilities and Code of Ethics of Social

Work The rights of social work are partially outlined. Social work foremost rights
include the right to fulfill its professional mandates and to live by its values. Its
responsibilities cover those that pertain to the dispensation of its basic functions,
roles, professional standards, and adhesive to its local and international codes of
ethics. Social work is accountable to the clients, the general public, and the society.
The following are responsibilities of social workers as to their field of specialization:

1. To help children
2. Assist those life- threatening problems
3. Aid people in overcoming addictions
4. To protect and uphold respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people
as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights
(1948)
5. Promoting social justice to the people generally and to the people with whom
they work
6. To apply the professional values and principles set out above to their practice
7. They should act with integrity and treat people with compassion, empathy, and
care
Accountability of social worker is to the clients, colleagues, employers,
professional associations, and to the law. Social workers are accountable for their
actions to the values and principles of the profession, which require them to act in a
reliable, honest, and trustworthy manner. They are answerable to their clients,
professional bodies like registered social workers (RSW), certified social workers
(CSW), licensed social worker (LSW), licensed clinical social workers (LCSW), and
licensed independent social workers (LISW) organization, and the laws promulgated
and enforced by appropriate government agencies.
 What ’s More

WRITE IT!
Directions: In the cross diagram, write the rights and responsibilities of a social
worker and you as the learner. And on the inside of the cross, write the similarities
between you and the social worker then answer the questions below.

MY RIGHTS MY RESPONSIBILITIES

RIGHTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES
SOCIAL OF
WORKER SOCIAL WORKER

Guide questions:
1. What are your obligations to enjoy your rights?
2. When can you tell that you are enjoying your rights?
3. As a learner, how can you be responsible to your society?

What is It

Code of Ethics of Social Work

The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct, and performance
expected of registered social workers. It is a duty of a social worker to always protect
the health and well-being of people who avail of the services.
A sample of ethical principles and ethical standards here are adapted from the Code
of Ethics of the National Association of Social Workers. These principles and
standards set forth ideals to which all social workers should aspire.
1. Value: SERVICE
 Ethical Principle: Social workers’ primary goal is to help people in need and to
address social problems.
2. Value: SOCIAL JUSTICE
Ethical Principle: Social workers challenge social injustice.
3. Value: DIGNITY and WORTH of the PERSON
Ethical Principle: Social workers respect the inherent dignity and worth of the
person.
4. Value: IMPORTANCE of HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
Ethical Principle: Social workers recognize the central importance of human
relationships.
5. Value: INTEGRITY
Ethical Principle: Social workers behave in a trustworthy manner.
6. Value: COMPETENCE
Ethical Principle: Social workers practice within their areas of competence and
develop and enhance their professional expertise.

Social workers continually strive to increase their professional knowledge and

skills and apply them in practice. Social workers should aspire to contribute to the
knowledge base of the profession.

Ethical Standards
The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all social
workers. These standards are concerned with the social workers’ ethical
responsibilities:
1. To clients
2. To colleagues
3. In practice settings
4. As professionals
5. To the social work profession; and
6. To the broader society

What
’s More
 In the candy wrapper, write as many as you can the positive qualities that a
social worker must have. Then answer the follow up questions below.

Questions:
1. What is the purpose of listing values as part of the Code of Ethics of Social
Work?
2. With the standards and values laid on the Code of Ethics of Social Work,
how are you going to live with those standards?
3. Cite one positive quality that you think best fit to a social worker? Explain.

What I Can Do

On the Net!
Go online and search for ‘career opportunities for social workers’. Make a listing of
the top 10 to 15 career opportunities that come out from your research. Compare
your new list with the list in this module. Discuss any new opportunities that came
out.

Assessment

Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write T on the line if you think the
statement is TRUE. If FALSE, change the underline word or group of words to make
the whole statement true.
1. Social workers keep accurate records.
2. Social workers promote social justice.
3. Social workers deal inappropriately with health and safety risks.
4. Unethical behavior is a must have for social workers.
5. The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct, and performance
expected of registered social workers.
6. Social workers respect the rights and dignity of people.
7. Accuracy of data among social workers is verifying the source.
8. Making decisions for the whole based on the personal preference of the social
worker is essential for social work.
9. Social workers keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date so that
they are able to provide appropriate services.
10. Social workers comply with the laws and regulations governing their practice.

A. CATEGORIZE ME!
Directions: Copy the table in your answer booklet and categorize the words or
phrases below as to RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES
of a social worker.

RIGHTS RESPONSIBILITIES ACCOUNTABILITIES

OPTIONS:
a. to fulfilling professional mandates
b. to live by its values
c. to the employers
d. to the clients
e. to help children
f. assist those life- threatening problems
g. aid people in overcoming addictions
h. to the society
i. to protect and uphold respect for the inherent worth and dignity of people.
j. to the law
k. to the professional associations
l. to promote social justice