HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 1: PHILIPPINE SOCIAL REALITIES AND SOCIAL WELFARE

MODULE 15: SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES AND VALUES RELATING TO THE NEEDS AND UNQUENESS OF THE
VARIOUS SECTORS
MODULE/TOPIC

Social work is grounded in principles and values that address the diverse needs and unique circumstances of individuals
and communities. These principles include respect for human dignity, commitment to social justice, and the promotion of individual
well-being. By applying these values, social workers ensure that their interventions are both compassionate and effective,
recognizing the inherent worth of every person and striving to create equitable opportunities for all. This approach not only supports
personal growth but also contributes to a more just and inclusive society.

Social workers aim to empower clients by acknowledging their unique experiences and challenges while advocating for
equitable access to resources and opportunities. By adhering to these core values, social workers strive to support and enhance
the quality of life for people across various sectors, including families, children, the elderly, and marginalized groups.

Social Work Principles

The practice of social work is guided by certain basic principles or rules of action for the practitioner (emanating from such
values, as differentiated from “principles” of action built on tested knowledge or general truths)
(principle (noun)•prin·ci·ple | prin(t)-s(ə-)pəl , -sə-bəl \• a comprehensive and fundamental law,doctrine, or assumption)

1. Acceptance of people as they are.

 Respecting the client under any circumstances
 Meeting and interacting with the client non judgmentally
 Manifests a genuinely warm interest and concern in the client and his situation
 Recognizing that people have strengths and weaknesses, and capacities and limitations

 Healthcare Sector: In healthcare settings, social workers respect clients’ health choices and conditions without
judgment, acknowledging both the physical and emotional challenges they face. They recognize patients' strengths,
such as coping mechanisms, and address weaknesses, such as lack of support networks.
 Education Sector: In schools, social workers accept students’ academic and behavioral challenges as part of their
unique situations, respecting their backgrounds and recognizing their individual talents and difficulties.
 Criminal Justice Sector: Social workers in the criminal justice system respect individuals' past actions and current
situations, acknowledging their potential for change and growth without bias.

2. Participation of the client in problem-solving.

 Client is asked to provide pertinent facts, present his own perceptions of the situation, involve in problem identification, and if
there are many problems, client is involved in prioritizing problems
 Client participates in planning ways of resolving the problem
 Worker builds upon and utilizes client's strengths

 Mental Health Sector: Clients are encouraged to take an active role in their therapy by identifying their issues and
working with therapists to create treatment plans that leverage their strengths and address their specific needs.
 Child Welfare Sector: Social workers involve children and families in developing safety plans and interventions, using
the family’s understanding of their own dynamics and strengths to address issues effectively.
Homeless Services: Clients are involved in creating their own paths to stability, utilizing their personal strengths and
preferences in housing and support services.

3. Self-determination as a right of the client.

 Client has the right to determine what he needs and how they should be met
 Worker does not do everything for the client, for she knows that client is capable for "self-help"
 Worker will not manipulate but will guide client to look at problems objectively
  Client develops self-respect and self-confidence when he realizes that he is able to solve his problems.

 Substance Abuse Treatment: Clients are empowered to make their own recovery choices, with social workers
providing guidance and resources to help them make informed decisions about their treatment and life paths.
Elder Care: Elderly clients are supported in making decisions about their care and living arrangements, respecting their
autonomy and preferences in end-of-life planning and daily care.
Disability Services: Individuals with disabilities are supported in making choices about their care and accommodations,
with social workers ensuring they have the information needed to make autonomous decisions.

4. Individualization
 Recognition and understanding of each client's unique qualities and the differential use of principles and methods
 Worker should relate to each client as an individual in a situation
 Individuals may present same problems but circumstances of the problem, perceptions and responses will be different.

 Youth Services: Social workers tailor interventions based on each youth’s unique developmental stage, family
background, and personal interests to foster positive growth and address specific challenges.
Immigration Services: Approaches are individualized to account for each immigrant’s country of origin, cultural
background, and specific needs in adapting to a new environment.
Palliative Care: Care plans are customized based on the patient’s medical condition, personal preferences, and family
dynamics to ensure comfort and dignity.

5. Confidentiality
 Provide client protection
 What the client tells the worker is not discussed with others except when this is done within the context of professional
relationships, for the purpose of helping the client, eg. case conference
 Requesting of information about the client from another professional or agency are not prepared without the permission of the
client, eg. what wife tells the worker is not shared with husband without her permission.

Mental Health Services: Confidentiality is critical in therapy settings to ensure clients feel safe sharing personal issues,
with information shared only as necessary for treatment or mandated reporting.
Domestic Violence Services: Protecting confidentiality is vital for the safety of individuals escaping violence, with social
workers ensuring that sensitive information is disclosed only to those who need to know.
Corporate Sector: In employee assistance programs, confidentiality safeguards personal and professional issues
shared by employees, fostering trust in workplace support services.

6.Worker Self-awareness
 Worker must always be conscious that her role is to make use of her professional relationship with her client in a way that will
enhance the client's development rather that her own
 Worker must examine feelings whether her responses and feelings are professionally motivated
 No one is completely free of biases: it is important to be aware of this and be able to control them so that they do not interfere
professional practice

Community Development: Social workers must be aware of their own biases when working with diverse communities
to ensure they do not influence the development of community programs or services.
Family Services: Recognizing personal biases helps social workers approach each family with an open mind, ensuring
that their interventions are fair and unbiased.
Legal Services: Self-awareness helps social workers in legal contexts to provide unbiased support to clients, avoiding
any personal judgments from impacting their professional responsibilities.

7. Client-worker Relationship
  Professional relationship: controlled and purposive
 Does not just happen, formed on the basis of expectation from the parties who compromise the relationship
 Moves in the direction of certain goals or objectives which have been identified by mutual agreement

Refugee Services: Building a structured, goal-oriented relationship helps refugees feel supported in navigating the
complexities of resettlement and integration, with clear expectations set.
Addiction Recovery: The relationship between clients and social workers is critical for motivating and guiding
individuals through recovery processes, with a focus on shared goals and mutual respect.
Workplace Counseling: Establishing a professional, goal-focused relationship helps employees address work-related
issues effectively, with clear agreements on the counseling process and objectives.

The Curriculum Study sponsored by the Council on Social Work Education described the following
values shared in common by the whole profession:

1. Right Self-fulfillment: Each person has the right to self-fulfillment, deriving his inherent capacity and thrust toward that goal.

Career Counseling: Social workers support individuals in pursuing career goals that align with their skills and interests,
respecting their personal aspirations and potential.
Arts and Culture: Supporting individuals in creative fields to pursue their passions, helping them access resources and
opportunities that foster self-expression and fulfillment.

2. Obligation to contribute to the common goods: Each person has the obligation, as a member of society, to seek ways of
self-fulfillment that contribute to the common good.

Public Health: Social workers encourage individuals to pursue health and wellness goals that not only benefit
themselves but also contribute to the overall well-being of their communities.
Environmental Advocacy: Supporting individuals and communities in actions that promote environmental sustainability,
ensuring their personal goals align with broader ecological benefits.

3. Societal obligation to facilitate self-fulfillment: Society has the obligation to facilitate the self- fulfillment of the individual and
the right to enrichment through the contribution of its
individual members.

 Social Services: Advocating for policies and programs that provide necessary resources and opportunities for all
individuals to achieve their goals and improve their quality of life.
Education System: Ensuring equitable access to educational resources and support services that help students reach
their full potential.

4.Right to socially provided opportunities: Each person requires for the harmonious development of his powers socially
provided and socially safeguarded opportunities for satisfying his basic needs in the physical, psychological, economic, cultural,
aesthetic, and spiritual realms.

Housing Sector: Advocating for affordable housing options and supportive services that enable individuals to secure
stable living conditions and pursue personal and professional goals.
Employment Services: Ensuring access to job training and employment opportunities that allow individuals to achieve
economic stability and personal growth.

5. Interdependence between individuals and society: As society becomes more complex and interdependent, increasingly
specialized social organization is required to facilitate the individual's effort at self-realization. Although conflicts between
individuals and society can never be entirely absent, social organization should be such as to reduce them to a minimum. A
conception of the individual and society as interdependent leads to the view that just as it is the responsibility of society to provide
appropriate social resources, it is the right of the individual to promote change in social resources which do not serve his need-
meeting efforts. Concomitantly, it is the individual's obligation to satisfy his individual needs as much as possible in ways that
contribute to the enrichment of society.
 Economic Development: Promoting initiatives that balance individual entrepreneurship with societal needs,
encouraging economic activities that benefit both individuals and the community.
Urban Planning: Designing community spaces and services that meet individual needs while fostering social cohesion
and collective well-being.

6. Availability of social resources: Το permit both self-realization and contribution to society by the individual, social organization
must make available socially provided devices for needs- satisfaction as wide in range, variety, and quality as the general welfare
allows.

Healthcare: Ensuring access to a range of health services and supports that address diverse individual needs, from
preventative care to specialized treatments.
Public Policy: Advocating for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive social safety net that provides
necessary resources for various needs, including education, healthcare, and housing.

To conclude, social work principles and values guide effective support across various sectors by addressing individual
needs and promoting positive change. By respecting each person’s unique situation, involving them in their own solutions, and
maintaining confidentiality, social workers can foster personal growth and well-being. Tailoring approaches to individual
circumstances and recognizing the interconnectedness of personal and societal needs ensure that support is both impactful and
respectful. Ultimately, these practices help build a more equitable and supportive society for all.

References:

Social Welfare and Social Work 2008 (3rd Edition) by Thelma Lee-Mendoza

Barker, R. L. (2003). Social Work Dictionary (5th ed.). NASW Press.

Cox, L. E., Tice, C. J., & Long, D. D. (2017). Introduction to Social Work: A Primer for the Helping Professions.

Berg-Weger, M. (2018). Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction.

 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 1: PHILIPPINE SOCIAL REALITIES AND SOCIAL WELFARE
MODULE 15: SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES AND VALUES RELATING TO THE NEEDS AND UNQUENESS OF THE VARIOUS
SECTORS
DICTIONARY

1 ADDICTION a process of change through which people improve their health and wellness, live self-directed lives
RECOVERY by stopping the abuse usage of illegal drugs so that they’ll strive to reach their full potential.

2 CAREER a process that will help you to know and understand yourself and the world of work in order to make
COUNSELING career, educational, and life decisions.

3 CHILD WELFARE a group of public and private services that are focused on ensuring that all children live in safe,
SECTOR permanent and stable environments that support their well-being.

4 CRIMINAL JUSTICE is a sector where they help to deliver justice to those who have been accused of committing crimes.
SECTOR

5 COMMUNITY a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes participative democracy,
DEVELOPMENT sustainable development, rights, equality, economic opportunity and social justice, through the
organization, education and empowerment of people within their communities, whether these be of
locality, identity or interest, in urban and rural settings.

6 CORPORATE It is a subset of the domestic economy, excluding the economic activities of general government,
SECTOR private households, and non-profit organizations serving individuals.

7 DISABILITY The disability support sector includes workers who provide care, emotional support, physical
SERVICES assistance and supervision for people with physical and/or intellectual disabilities. These workers
provide care in the home, residential settings, clinics or hospitals.

8 DOMESTIC is a sector that helps to stop abusive behaviors and violence towards family members
VIOLENCE SERVICES

9 ECONOMIC The focus of federal, state, and local governments to make improvements on the standard of living
DEVELOPMENT through job creation, innovative support, the creation of wealth, and overall creating a better quality
of life.

10 EDUCATION SECTOR the system encompassing schools and universities where evaluation studies are conducted to
assess the efficiency and effectiveness of educational institutions, especially in times of tight
budgets and increasing demand for accountability.

11 ELDER CARE Elderly care, or simply eldercare (also known in parts of the English-speaking world as aged care),
serves the needs of old adults.

12 EMPLOYMENT providing or supplying personnel, on a temporary or long-term basis, to perform work or labor under
SERVICES the supervision or control of another, when the personnel so supplied receive their wages, salary,
or other compensation from the provider of the service. '

13 ENVIRONMENTAL encompass infrastructure services, including sewage, refuse disposal and sanitation as well as
SERVICES "non-infrastructure" services, such as those related to air pollution prevention and mitigation, noise
abatement and the remediation of contaminated sites.

14 FAMILY SERVICES promotes the safety, stability and development of vulnerable children, young people and their
families, with a focus on building capacity and resilience.

15 HEALTHCARE consists of businesses that provide medical services, manufacture medical equipment or drugs,
SECTOR provide medical insurance, or otherwise facilitate the provision of healthcare to patients.

16 HOMELESS a type of service that provides temporary residence for homeless individuals and families.
SERVICES
17 HOUSING SECTOR this sector aims to address the housing needs of regular Pinoys, low-income families, informal
settlers, and those affected by natural disasters.

18 IMMIGRATION any service purporting to aid any person in any immigration matter
SERVICES

19 LEGAL SERVICES any service purporting to aid any person in any immigration matter
 HUMAN BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT 1: PHILIPPINE SOCIAL REALITIES AND SOCIAL WELFARE
MODULE 15: SOCIAL WORK PRINCIPLES AND VALUES RELATING TO THE NEEDS AND UNQUENESS OF THE VARIOUS
SECTORS
QUIZ

1. Their is aim to empower clients by acknowledging their unique experiences and challenges while advocating for equitable
access to resources and opportunities.
a. Healthcare personnel c. Psychologist
b. Social workers d. Educators
2. __________ guide social workers in their efforts to support and empower individuals and communities while maintaining
professional and ethical standards.
a. Social work Principles and values c. Social work Dictionary
b. “Orange book” by Thelma Lee-Mendoza d. Modules
3. Social workers must be aware of their own biases when working with diverse communities to ensure they do not influence the
development of community programs or services.
a. Legal Services c. Corporate Sectors
b. Refugee Services d. Community Development
4. Society has the obligation to facilitate the self- fulfillment of the individual and the right to enrichment through the contribution of
its individual members.
a. Societal obligation to facilitate self-fulfillment c. Family Services
b. Social services d. Legal Services
5. Το permit both self-realization and contribution to society by the individual, social organization must make available socially
provided devices for needs- satisfaction as wide in range, variety, and quality as the general welfare allows.
a. Healthcare c. Availability of social resources
b. Interdependence between individuals and society d. Public Policy
6. The relationship between clients and social workers is critical for motivating and guiding individuals through recovery processes,
with a focus on shared goals and mutual respect.
a. Public health c. Environemtal Advocacy
b. Addiction recovery d. Refugee Services
7. Confidentiality is critical in therapy settings to ensure clients feel safe sharing personal issues, with information shared only as
necessary for treatment or mandated reporting.
a. Domestic Violence Services c. Legal Services
b. Family Services d. Mental Health Services
8.Worker must always be conscious that her role is to make use of her professional relationship with her client in a way that will
enhance the client's development rather that her own.
a. Worker Self-awareness c. Legal Services
b. Client-worker Relationship d. Mental Health Services
9. Client is asked to provide pertinent facts, present his own perceptions of the situation, involve in problem identification, and if
there are many problems, client is involved in prioritizing problems
a. Self-determination as a right of the client c. Individualization
b. Participation of the client in problem solving d. Confidentiality
10. Recognizing that people have strengths and weaknesses, and capacities and limitations.
a.Self-determination as a right of the client c. Individualization
c. Worker self-awareness d. Accepting of people as they are
11. Care plans are customized based on the patient’s medical condition, personal preferences, and family dynamics to ensure
comfort and dignity.
a. Palliative Care c. Legal Services
b. Mental Health Services d. Refugees Service
12. Social workers involve children and families in developing safety plans and interventions, using the family’s understanding of
their own dynamics and strengths to address issues effectively.
a. Homeless services c. Child Welfare Sector
b. Elder care d. Mental Health Sector
13. Moves in the direction of certain goals or objectives which have been identified by mutual agreement
a. Right Self-fulfillment c. Worker Self-awareness
b. Client-worker Relationship d. Acceptance of people as they are
14. Requesting of information about the client from another professional or agency are not prepared without the permission of the
client . Providing client protection
a. Confidentiality c. Worker self-awareness
b. Self-determination as the right of the Client d.Individualization
15. Advocating for the development and maintenance of a comprehensive social safety net that provides necessary resources for
various needs, including education, healthcare, and housing.
a. Economic Development c. Social Services
b. Urban Planning d. Public Policy