HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT (HBSE)

FOUNDATIONS OF SOCIAL WORK

SOCIAL WELFARE

• covers practically everything men do for the good of society.

GERTRUDE WILSON- She characterized social welfare as "an organized concern of all
people for all people"

WALTER FRIEDLANDER- defines it as "the organized system of social services and

institutions, designed to aid Individuals and groups to attained satisfying standards of life and
health"

ELIZABETH WICKENDEN- According to her, "social welfare includes those laws, programs,
benefits and services which assure or strengthen provisions for meeting social needs recognized
as basic to the well- being of the population and the better functioning of the social order"

3 MOTIVATIONS/GOALS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

1. HUMANITARIAN/SOCIAL JUSTICE

• people have potential to realize themselves except forces hinder them; it is only right and just
for man/woman to help man/woman.

2. SOCIAL CONTROL

• Recognizes that deprived/disadvantaged/needy Individuals and groups may strike out

individually or collectively against what they consider as an alienating/offending society.

3. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

• programs to support increases in the production of goods and services, and other resources that
will contribute to economic development.

TWO (2) VIEWS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

1. RESIDUAL

• temporary, offered during emergency situations and withdrawn when the regular social system
is again working properly.

2. INSTITUTIONAL
• social welfare as a proper, legitimate function of modern society.

SOCIAL SERVICES

• Refers to the program, services, and tkehr activities provided under various auspices, to
concretely answer the needs and problems of the members of society.

• Specific provisions/forms of help/assistance given to people based on their needs( cover aspects
of living-physical, mental, social, etc.)

RICHARD M. TITMUS

• Sees social problems as s structural or basically located in the economy. "Since we cannot
name and blame the culprits and oblige them to make redress, we must either provide social
services or allow the social costs of the system to lie where they fell". He considers social
services as partial compensation for the "socially generated disservices" and "socially-caused
diswelfare".

Unmet needs are met in three (3) ways:

a.) Individual and groups efforts (including voluntary efforts)

b.) Major social institutions: Family, labor unions, government

c.) Social Agencies: DOH, DSWD, DOJ, DA, DNR, DOLE, etc.

"At all times, everywhere, there will always be people who have needs and problems beyond
their own capacity for solution"

*Social Welfare and Social Services- now a legitimate function of modern, industrialized
society.

SOCIAL WORK

•R.A. 4373: The law that have recognition to social work as a profession.

•Social work operates under the established concept of Social Welfare.

• Social Worker mediates/intervenes by addressing the Person and/or Situation

ATTRIBUTES/CRITERIA OF A PROFESSION according to ERNEST GREENWOOD

1. SYSTEMATIC BODY OF THEORY- has knowledge based on many different sciences,

evidence-based practice (not hit-or-miss or mere "common sense")

• skills that characterize a profession flow from and are supported by a fund of knowledge that
has been organized into an internally consistent system called a body of theory.

3 TYPES OF KNOWLEDGE

a. Tested knowledge- is knowledge that has been established through scientific study (research)

b. Hypothetical knowledge- still has to undergo transformation into tested knowledge

c. Assumptive knowledge- practice wisdom

2. PROFESSIONAL AUTHORITY- extensive education necessary as source of professional

authority makes for respect for practitioner's competence.

3. COMMUNITY SANCTION- Community gives it certain powers and privileges: a.) Control
over training centers; b.) admission to the profession (licensing); c.) standards for professional
performances (complaints to PRC, PASWI)

4. REGULATIVE CODE OF ETHICS (formal and informal) which compel ethical behaviour
on its members. This code serves to check possible abuses which can arise out of a profession's
exercise of authority, and its accompanying powers and privileges.

5. PROFESSIONAL CULTURE- formal and informal rules, norms, values, symbols. The
interaction of social rules required the formal groups generate a social configuration unique to
the profession or professional culture.

FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL WORK

1. RESTORATIVE/CURATIVE/REMEDIAL/REHABILITATIVE

• when there is already a problem (to minimize/solve) remove factors which caused the
breakdown/disequilibrium; put the person back to normal/healthy state of social functioning

2. PREVENTIVE

• early discovery, control , elimination of conditions/situations which cause disequilibrium, have

harmful effects on social functioning.

3. DEVELOPMENTAL
• help Individuals make maximum use of their potentials and capacities, and further the
effectiveness of social and community resources.

FOUNDATION OF SOCIAL WORK

1. PHILOSOPHICAL

1.) Basic philosophy- Human Worth and Dignity (the human being) is capable of reason,
analysis, and choice- is democracy's view of the person)

2.) Values

•Ultimate value-self-fulfillment (self-actualization, self-realization)

3.) Guiding principles

a. Acceptance of people as they are in their reality (respect whatever his/her circumstances); non-
judgmental attitude; acceptance of human strengths and weaknesses, limitations and capacities

b. Participation in problem-solving (throughout the helping process)

c. Self-determination - enabling client to determine his/her needs and how they should be met

d. Individualization- recognition of the uniqueness of every person, family, group, community.

e. Confidentiality- protection of client's privacy; client trusts social worker

f. Social worker self-awareness: her own strengths and limitations, biases; how he/she responds
to clients situations (controlled emotional involvement)

g. Client-worker relationship- the means for carrying out social work's function; must have
purpose (gives direction- to help clients in some problematic area of S.F.)

4. Professional ethics

•Ethics- the science that treats of morals and right conduct

• Professional ethics- system of ethical principles and rules of conduct accepted by the members
of a professional group; based on the philosophy, values and guiding principles of that
profession.

TWO (2) ASPECTS OF PROFESSIONAL ETHICS:

a.) Professional Code of Ethics- formal, written (PASWI, IFSW)

b.) Informal rules which have the same force as the Code of Ethics
2. SCIENTIFIC/KNOWLEDGE FOUNDATION

• The scientific/knowledge foundation of Social Work comes from many different sources.

• Social work is a profession, not s hit-or-miss, trial-and-error way of working with people.

AREAS OF KNOWLEDGE

1. HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND THE SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT

• knowledge needed for understanding the client in his/her problem situation.

2. SOCIAL WELFARE, POLICIES, PROGRAMS, AND SERVICES

• concerned with the organization, administration and operation of social welfare programs and
services which are established in society in order to meet human needs and problems.

• Keywords in this area-social welfare, needs, problems, and provision

a. Social Welfare- the institution that allows society to respond to a variety of human needs and
problems

b. Needs- are universal 1.) Material: food, clothing, shelter; 2.) Non-material: affection,
acceptance, achievement, aesthetic, spiritual, etc.

c. Problem- as manifest need; as person-centered; as universal and yet singular; as cause and
consequence; as an institutional lack or dysfunction in society's institution for meeting needs.

d. Provision- how society meets the needs of its members

3. SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE METHODS

• focus of this area is on the methodological knowledge and skills for Professional social work
practice- the "what to do and how to do it" aspects.

3. THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENT IN SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

•Social work is planned change: change that comes from a decision to make a deliberate effort to
improve the system and to obtain the help of an outside agent in making this improvement.

1. Client System- the specific system being helped: personality, system, group, organization,
community
2. Worker- professional change agent/outside agent who works with a particular client system

3. Problem-situation to be addressed

4. PROCESS- the helping relationship

Two concepts useful in understanding the Dynamics of planned change:

1. Change force- an aspect of the situation which increases the willingness of the client system
to make a proposed change.

2. Resistance force- an aspect of the situation which reduces the willingness of the client system
to change.

4. THE SOCIAL WORK HELPING/PROBLEM SOLVING PROCESS

A. ASSESSMENT

• Collection, analysis and interpretation of necessary information in order to reach an

understanding of the client, the problem, and its context; such understanding is necessary nfor
appropriate planning

• Definition of the problem to be worked on ("problem-for-work")

• Worker writes an Assessment Statement or Definition of the Problem

B. PLANNING: the link between Assessment and Intervention- all about deciding what to do.

• Goal Statement- desired results/ends/outcomes expected; should be specific, concrete,

measurable; feasible/realistic/attainable

•Plans- the means to achieve the goals; specific actions/steps to reach goals

C. INTERVENTION (Action/Plan Implementation)- Rendering all the specific and

interrelated services appropriate to the client system's problem situation based on the assessment
and planning.

INTERVENTIVE ROLES OF SOCIAL WORK IN DIRECT PRACTICE

1. RESOURCE PROVIDER

• material aid/concrete resources or services are mobilized, created and provided and client
system is assisted to make optimal use of them.

2. SOCIAL BROKER

• involves the process of negotiating the "service jungle" for clients; SW links/connects client to
needed services (may act as helper, interpreter, facilitator, expediter, escort, negotiator to ensure
rapid service delivery); match needs with resources.

• Very relevant to situation of Filipino client system in multi-problem situations

• Social work uses her "network" so her client can avail of services/resources beyond what
his/her agency can offer.

3. MEDIATOR

• SW acts as an intermediary or conciliator between client system and the "other side", often
engaging in efforts that will resolve disputes between the two. Objective is to find a common
ground which will make it possible to resolve the dispute.

• Worker provides continuity of service to clients through linking them to appropriate services

4. ADVOCATE

• SW takes a partisan interest in the client system and his/her cause. Objective is to influence
another party, usually possessing some power or authority over the client system.

• Voices the concerns of the groups and rights of Individuals/speaking in behalf of the client

• Will argue, debate, bargain, negotiate, manipulate the environment on behalf of client

•May use non-consensual strategies, e.g., direct confrontation, adminstrative appeal, courts and
political systems.

5. ENABLER

• SW helps the client to find the coping strengths and resources within themselves to clarify and
identify to solve their problems.

• SW performs a supporting and empowering function to enable client to achieve defined change.

6. COUNSELOR/THERAPIST

• SW's goal is to help restore, maintain, or enhance the client's capacity to adapt or adjust to
his/her current reality.
• Social work engages in a case-to-case approach to problem- solving.

INTERVENTIVE ROLES OF SOCIAL WORKER BEYOND DIRECT PRACTICE

(SW interventive activities which do not require direct, face-to-face relationship with clients)

1. MOBILIZER OF COMMUNITY ELITE- Individuals and groups who are in a position to

provide the resources (human and material) the SW needs in her work with clients

• SW activities include information- giver, interpreter, resource person, consultant, negotiator,

coordinator, lobbyist, organizer, mobilize.

2. DOCUMENTER/SOCIAL CRITIQUE- SW documents the need for more adequate social

policies and programs based in her knowledge, practice from her experiences about their
inadequacies/deficiencies, and her beliefs as to how they ought to be in light of her professional
values and goals.

3. POLICY/PROGRAM CHANGE ADVOCATE- SW is involved in efforts to change

policies and programs on behalf of particular population sectors based on the values of the
profession.

• SW takes a stand on important issues relating to social welfare policies and programs affecting
clients, argues for/defends her proposal.

OTHER ROLES OF SOCIAL WORKER

1. LOBBYIST- political activity voicing concerns of the group and communities with the goal
of shaping local and national policy.

2. FACILITATOR- encourage to find mutually satisfactory solution to their problems. Serve as

leader in a group. The group may be family therapy group, educational group.

3. CONSULTANT- provide guidance to agencies and organizations through suggesting ways to

increase effectiveness of services.

4. SUPERVISOR- to increase effectiveness and efficiency of the delivery of services to client

system.

5. COORDINATOR- improve service delivery system through increasing communication

linkage.

6. SOCIAL PLANNER- performing the activities necessary to plan and implement program.
7. PROGRAM DEVELOPER- Social Worker designs and develop program.

D. EVALUATION- collection of data about the outcomes of a program of action relative to

goals and objectives set in advance of the implementation of that program.

•Prerequisite- statement of goals and objectives.

•A continual process/" on-going evaluation"- reassessment of objectives, intervention plans,

and even the definition of the problem.

• Terminal/Final evaluation- undertaken before disengagement/ending of helping relationship.

E. TERMINATION/DISENGAGEMENT FOR THE HELPING RELATIONSHIP

• When the goals set by the SW and client system have been achieved.

TRANSFER- process by which a client is referred by his/her SW to another worker, usually in

the same agency for one reason or another.

REFERRAL- the act of directing a client to another SW/agency because the service that the
client needs is beyond the current SW's competence, or the client needs the additional service
which the present agency cannot provide.

COMPONENTS OF TERMINATION:

1. DISENGAGEMENT- evokes certain feelings and reactions from both SW and Client-denial
emotional reactions, bargaining, depression, acceptance

2. STABILIZATION OF CHANGE- main test of the SW's help is the stability and permanence
of the client' changed behavior when SW is no longer actively working with the client
(transferability beyond the helping relationship of gains achieved)

3. TERMINAL EVALUATION- time for SW and client to appraise what has transpired, focus
on the goals formulated during the planning phase and the problems identified during the
assessment phase.

4. The above helping process is essentially the same generic steps in social work practice with
Individuals, groups, and communities.
•In "Traditional" Casework (Florence Hollis)- Defining the general nature of the problem
presented; Psychological study; Diagnosis and formulation of treatment plans: Treatment and
Evaluation

• In "Remedial" Groupwork (Robert D. Vinter)- Intake; Diagnosis and Treatment-Planning;

Group Composition; Group development and treatment; Evaluation; Termination

• Community Organization (Arthur Dunham)- Recognition of the problem; Analysis of the

problem or Assessment; Planning or consideration of the action to be taken; Action- the
execution of the plans; Evaluation

5. SOCIAL WORK HELPING MODELS AND APPROACHES

• SW choose a helping model/approach that is most appropriate in response to the nature of the
client's problem situation.

•For Individuals, groups, and communities- Direct Provision Model; Intercession- Mediation
Model; Crisis Intervention; Mobilizing the Resources of the client system to Change its own
social reality, the Problem-Solving Model

• For Individuals and groups- Psychosocial Approach; The Task-Centered Model; the Functional
Approach; Behavioral Modification

•For groups- Developmental Approach, Interactionist Approach; Remedial Approach

• For communities- The Locality Developmental Model; Social Planning Model; Social Action
Model

The GENERALIST/INTEGRATED METHOD OF SW PRACTICE

• This approach to social work practice was advocated in the Philippines in the late 1960's, in
response to the challenge to schools to teach social work methods based on a wholistic approach,
instead of Casework, Group Work and Community Organization as separate methods of practice
which were developed in the U.S.

6. FIELDS OF SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE

1. CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE- concerned with the well-being of children and youth
through programs and services for their physical, social, psychological, cultural, and spiritual
development.

• Children who need protection against conditions that violate their human rights or prevent them
from enjoying their right to survival and development.

• Some programs include supplemental and child-caring services, programs for dependent and
abandoned children (adoption, legal guardianship, foster care, residential/institutional care)

2. FAMILY WELFARE- concerned with improvement, strengthening and support of the family
in meeting its own needs.

• Parents who need help with problems of role performance and relationships which threaten the
stability of the family.

3. COMMUNITY WELFARE- concerned with the well-being of entire communities. Involves

work with Individuals, families, small groups to achieve goals relating to common concerns
(e.g., in public housing projects, in relocation and resettlements areas, in work with cultural
communities)

a.) Organizing communities for their own problem-solving

b.) Provision of needed community services.

4. CORRECTIONS- concerned with those who violate the law, who are assigned degraded
supervised status for a specific period until it is safe for the community for the offender to return.
Corrections: "the administration of penalty in such a way that the offender is corrected, i.e., his
current behavior is kept within acceptance limits at the same time his general life adjustment is
modified.

• Functions and control and rehabilitation are carried out by agencies of corrections for juvenile
and adult offenders.

a.) Probation- a court- prescribed process of treatment for convicted persons during which the
person lives in the community and regulates his/her own life under court-imposed conditions and
is subject to supervision by a probation officer.

b.) Parole- the release of a prisoner under supervision before the expiration of his/her sentence
with provision he might be returned to the correctional institution if he violates the conditions of
his/her parole.

5. FORENSIC SOCIAL WORK- related to Corrections but evolving as a specialized field of

social work practice. ("Anything that a professional social worker does in the field of criminal or
civil law issue either for the plaintiff/complainant or defendant/respondent of the case.")
• Involves SW adoption, legal guardianship, child custody, parental neglect, termination of
parental rights, nullity and annulment of marriage, violence against rights of women and their
children, diversion, and rehabilitation of children in conflict with the law, child sexual abuse and
exploitation, child trafficking, physical maltreatment, and other forms of abuses against women
and children.

6. REHABILITATION- concerned with members of society because of certain conditions or

situation, must be given special attention.

a.) Drug dependent- people trapped in drug or substance abuse. Objective is the maximum
social, psychological, vocational, and occupational restoration of the drug dependents.

b.) Socially disadvantaged women- women in especially difficult circumstances-those who are
victims of gender-based violence, conflicts and militarization, solo parents. The objectives of
programs are their protection, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.

c.) Released prisoners- prisoners released on parole, or acquitted after serving a prison term, or
released on absolute pardon. Objective is to assist the released prisoner in making an effective
adjustment in the community upon his/her return there.

d.) Older persons- people 60 years old and above, many with chronic disease disability and
dependency. Objective is to give them the opportunity to live decently and productively,
especially those who for certain reasons are unable to look after their own needs.

e.) Persons with disabilities- those suffering from restriction of different abilities as a result of a
mental, physical, or sensory impairment, to perform an activity in a manner considered normal
for a human being.

7. HEALTH- concerned with the interplay of economic, social, and psychological forces which
directly or indirectly cause, maintain, or aggravate the patient's illness.

• Social workers in hospitals are called "medical social workers. They work directly with medical
personnel and are considered members of the health team.

8. Schools- concerned with social and emotional factors which cause student's problems in
school and interfere with their adjustment and potential academic achievement.

•School Social Worker's function is to add, as a non-instructional specialist, to the efforts of

teachers, administrators, etc. in assisting Individual pupils in achieving expected education goals.

9. SETTLEMENTS/HOUSING

• Human settlements- the habitat or built environment of human beings, both rural and urban
areas where people settle themselves to live.
• SW role- development of people's capacities to function well/cope with their new situations;
help families meet their emerging needs through appropriate programs and activities.

10. INDUSTRY- concerned with assisting employees and their families in personal, health,
financial problems, and difficulties; and the development and maintenance of welfare services in
the company/organization.

• SW tasks include counseling employees in work and non-work related problems; counseling
and other forms of help to families of employees; informational and educational programs to
maximize employee and company services.

11. CULTURAL COMMUNITIES- (a.k.a. "tribal Filipinos", "ethnic minorities", "indigenous

people", and "national minorities"

• Goal of SW is to help them realize their own potential for a decent life; to enable them to enjoy
the benefits of citizenship.

12. TRAINING AND EDUCATION- called the "facilitative instructional method" of SW

practice performed by social work teachers and trainers; not a field of practice in the traditional
sense but involves the transfer of SW knowledge and skills (through classroom instruction and
field practice supervision of students.)

13. SOCIAL PLANNING- concerned with the planning of social services responsive to the
needs and problems of people.

• Calls for SW with the technical preparation to work with social welfare planning bodies.

14. INTERNATIONAL SOCIAL WELFARE- social workers engage in management,

supervisory, and field activities of many different regional and international social welfare
organizatios- ESCAP, UNICEF, UNHCR, World vision, etc.