SW 121: The Knowledge

and Philosophical
Foundation of Social Work
-ABDUL RAHMAN SALI ALONGAN, RSW, MSSW-
Question No. 1:

WHY SOCIAL WORK?

WHY NOT OTHER COURSE?
Question No. 2:

Do you know something about

social work?
Question No. 3:

What do you think will be your

job in the future?
 What is
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
What is enhance wellbeing. The above definition may
Social be amplified at national and/or regional levels
(IFSW and IASSW, 2014).
Work?
 Social work is a practice profession and an academic
discipline that recognizes that interconnected historical,
socio-economic, cultural, spatial, political and personal
factors serve as opportunities and/or barriers to human
wellbeing and development. Structural barriers contribute
to the perpetuation of inequalities, discrimination,
exploitation and oppression. The development of critical
consciousness through reflecting on structural sources of
oppression and/or privilege, on the basis of criteria such
as race, class, language, religion, gender, disability, culture
and sexual orientation, and developing action strategies
towards addressing structural and personal barriers are
What is central to emancipatory practice where the goals are the
Social empowerment and liberation of people. In solidarity with
those who are disadvantaged, the profession strives to
Work? alleviate poverty, liberate the vulnerable and oppressed,
and promote social inclusion and social cohesion.
 KNOWLEDGE

Social work is both interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary,

and draws on a wide array of scientific theories and
research.  ‘Science’ is understood in this context in its
most basic meaning as ‘knowledge’. Social work draws on
its own constantly developing theoretical foundation and
research, as well as theories from other human sciences,
including but not limited to community development,
social pedagogy, administration, anthropology, ecology,
economics, education, management, nursing, psychiatry,
psychology, public health, and sociology.  The uniqueness
What is of social work research and theories is that they are
Social applied and emancipatory.  Much of social work research
and theory is co-constructed with service users in an
Work? interactive, dialogic process and therefore informed by
specific practice environments.
Basic concepts related to Social Work
definition:

Social Welfare Social Services

Social Person-in-Environment
Functioning
 In its broadest sense, it covers practically
everything that men do for the good of society.

It is an organized concern of all the people for

all the people (Gertude Wilson).

The organized system of social services and

What is institutions, designed to aid individuals and
Social groups to attain satisfying standards of life and
health (Walter Friedlander).

Welfare?
 SWe 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
social order (Elizabeth Wickenden)

What is
Social
Welfare?
 We find in the forgoing definitions
essentially one idea-

Social Welfare encompasses the well-

being of all the members of human
society, including their physical,
mental, emotional, social, economic
What is and spiritual well-being.
Social
Welfare?
 Society responds to problems through:

1. Individual or group effort

What is 2. Major societal institutions
Social
Welfare? 3. Social Agency
 2 views or conceptions of social welfare:

Sees social welfare

as a proper,

1.
legitimate function
of modern society.

Residual
What is
These are temporary, offered
2.
Social during emergency situations
and withdrawn when the
Institutional
Welfare? regular social system is again
working properly
 Social welfare programs usually fall under
the following categories:

1. Social Security
Whole set of compulsory measures

2.
instituted to protect the individual
and his family
Personal social against
servicesthe
consequences
Based on personal problems,
What is 3.
individual situations of stress,
Public
interpersonal Assistance
helping
Social Materials/concrete aids/supports
provided, usually by the
Welfare? government.
Basic concepts related to Social Work
definition:

Social Welfare Social Services

Social Person-in-Environment
Functioning
 Itrefers
It refersto
tothose
programs and
organized
For socialand
services workers,
other it means
activities
activities
specific that are
services primarily
addressed to
provided under
and directly concerned variouswith
disadvantaged
auspices, to individuals
concretely or
answer
the conservation,
groups in the societytheto
the needs and problems
protection and the of the
maximize their social
society.
development of human beings
functioning
What is
Social
Services?
 1. Humanitarian
Rooted in the democratic
and Social Justice ideal of social justice
Goals
Reasons 2. Social Control Needy groups may strike out

for
against what they consider
Goals offending

providing 3. Economic Programs designed to support

social Development increases in the production of
services Goals
goods and services
Basic concepts related to Social Work
definition:

Social Welfare Social Services

Social Person-in-Environment
Functioning
 Social Functioning
Refers to the expression of the
interaction between man and his
environment, the individual’s manner
of coping with the demands of his
environment
What is
Social Social Dysfunctioning
Functioning
Refers to the imbalance between the
and individual’s needs, aspirations, and
Social functional capacities on the one hand
and situational expectations,
Dysfunctioning? opportunities and resources in the other
  Situational 2
inadequacies and

 Personal 1 other conditions which

are beyond man’s
inadequacies or coping capacities; and
sometimes
pathologies which
make it difficult
for man to cope
Why do people with the demands
experience of his

these
environment;
 Both personal and 3
situational
difficulties? inadequacies