Social Welfare Administration

Introduction

In early times, social welfare functions were performed by a few individuals

or groups of individuals motivated by compassion and concern for the poor, the
needy and the destitute. These people were laymen, embodied with the qualities of
humanism and selfless service to the community. But in modern times, most of the
countries have adopted the concept of a welfare state. The Encyclopedia of Social
Sciences describes a welfare state as a state which takes up the responsibility to
provide a minimum standard of subsistence to its citizens. Prof. Kent remarked that
by a welfare state mean a state which provides extensive services to people. Thus,
in a welfare state, the administration enters into economic, political, social and
educational life of individuals. And it provides services to individuals, right from an
individual’s birth to death. The state is to serve the old, sick, orphans, widows,
helpless, oppressed and the disabled people whenever they are in need of services.

Social Welfare

 All social interventions that are intended to enhance or maintain the

social functioning of human beings may be defined as social welfare—
Ralph Dolgoff
 All collective interventions to meet certain needs of the individual and
/ or to serve the wider interests of society is called as social welfare -
Richard Titmuss
In a narrow sense, social welfare includes those non-profit functions of society,
public or voluntary, that are clearly aimed at alleviating distress and poverty or
ameliorating the conditions of causalities of society.
 Social Welfare includes all programs whose explicit purpose is to
protect adults and children from the degradation and insecurity of
ignorance, illness, disability, unemployment and poverty -- Amy
Gutmann
  Social Welfare generally denotes the full range of organized activities
of voluntary and governmental organizations that seek to prevent,
alleviate or contribute to the solution of recognized social problems or
to improve the well being of individuals, groups and communities. –
NASW
 Social Welfare is a system of laws, Programs, benefits and services
which strengthen or assure provision for meeting social needs
recognized as basic for the welfare of the population and for functioning
of the social order-Elizabeth

Social Welfare is centered on two basic concepts

1.Social Problem
2.Ways in which the Society responds to its problem (Related to policy, legislation,
procedure etc.).

Administration

Before discussing the meaning of social welfare administration, it is necessary to

know the meaning of the term administration. Administration is a co-operative
human effort towards achieving some common goals. Thus every group activity
involves administration, whether in a family, factory, hospital, university ,or a
government department. Whenever two or more people cooperate in view of doing
a thing that cannot be taken up alone, the concept of administration appear. The
word administration has been derived from the Latin words ‘ad’ and ‘ministrate’
which means to serve. In simple language, it means the ‘management of affairs’ or
‘looking after the people’. To administer is to manage, direct and serve.

• According to Herbert A. Simon (1960) “In its broadest sense, administration

can be defined as the activities of groups co-operative to accomplish common
goals.”
 • Pfiffner defines “administration as the organization and direction of human
and material resources to achieve desired ends.” Thus, it is clear from above
definitions that administration is concerned with proper organization of men
and material to achieve desired ends. It consists of doing the work or getting
the work done by others.
• Herman Stein describes the concept of administration as “a process of
defining and attaining the objectives of an organization through a system of
coordinated and cooperative effort.

Social welfare administration

Social Welfare Administration is a process through which social work services

both private and public, are organized and administered. Developing programmes,
mobilizing resources, involving selection and recruitment of personnel, proper
organization, coordination, providing skillful and sympathetic leadership, guidance
and supervision of the staff, dealing with financing and budgeting of the programmes
and evaluation are, some of the functions of a social worker in administration.

 John C. Kidneigh (1950) defines social welfare administration as the

“process of transforming socialpolicy into social services… a two way
process: (i)…transforming policy into concrete social services and(ii) the use
of experience in recommending modification of policy.
 Harleigh Tracker (1971) interprets social welfare administration as a
“process of working with people in ways that release and relate their energies
so that they use all available resources to accomplish the purpose of providing
needed community services and programmes.”
 Spenser (1950): “Administration is the conscious direction of the internal
relationships and activities of enterprise towards the achievement of goals”.
She also outlines that it encompasses” the conscious intervention in the
interaction forces operating between the agency and the larger community of
which it is a part”.
  Friedlander (1955): “Administration of social agencies translates the
provisions of social legislation and the aims of private philanthropy and
religious charities into the dynamics of services and benefits of humanity”.

Social work profession involves enhancing the social functioning of individuals and
groups for which various methods are employed. Case work, group work and
community organization are considered as core methods. In addition social welfare
administration, social research and social action have developed subsequently as
separate methods which are found to be very effective in performing the social work
role. Social Work administration is the keystone for maximizing the effectiveness of
social work programs in the solutions of social problems and in the betterment of
social condition

Features of Social Welfare Administration

Some distinctive features of social welfare administration are:
1. Social welfare administration deals with social welfare agencies and helps
them to achieve their objectives for the target groups for which they are
working. It is specifically concerned with identification of social objectives,
the formulation and implementation of proposed programmes to achieve the
objectives laid down.

2. From functional point of view, social welfare administration includes three

perspectives of social problems:

a. restoration of impaired social functioning;

b. provision of resources, social and individual, for more effective social

functioning;

c. prevention of social dysfunction.

3. Despite variations in size, scope, structure and types of programmes, every

agency has a governing board as an apex body for final decision-making. The
board is generally represented by the community it intends to serve.
 4. Social welfare administration requires optimum utilization of its available
resources together with active community participation, so that the ultimate
goal of programmes can be achieved properly.

5. Social welfare agencies have to allocate certain portion of their resources for
survival so that the organization can continue to exist. But this should not limit
their capacity to achieve quantitative and qualitative growth.

6. Social welfare agencies generally function in a cooperative manner and ensure

participation of all the members in administration of their activities.

7. There is a growing trend in thse agencies to recruit professionally qualified

manpower. It has helped in introducing professional approach in their
functioning.

Functions of Social Welfare Administration

The functions of social welfare administration to achieve the objectives set up by the
agency would include:
1. To formulate the appropriate objectives and programmes of the agency, it is
very important to get the required information and to understand the total
situation. The agency generally focuses on a particular problem in a particular
geographical area.

2. To analyze the collected information so as to plan appropriate measures to

solve social problems. Social welfare agency’s work is to address social
problems of the society in that given area.

3. To recognize, screen and opt for an appropriate plan of action to tackle

problems and handle the initiatives of the social welfare agency.

4. Formulating policies, programmes and plans for effectively carrying out the
objectives of the social welfare agency in a planned manner.

5. To identify appropriate personnel for the social welfare agency with proper
orientation and supervision so that they understand the objectives and how to
implement the programmes in order to achieve the goals of the agency.
6. To inspire volunteers who can involve themselves in the aims, objectives and
goals of the social welfare agency.

7. The administration has to delegate work to various departments under

supervisors who will be accountable for the assigned work, in the various
departments which has to be coordinated so that maximum results are
obtained.

8. Rules, regulations, practices and procedures have to be set up so that there is

uniformity and accountability among all staff in the agency so that the
objectives of the agency are easily accomplished.

9. The agency must keep proper records and reports. These records and reports
must be analyzed and interpreted to find out the progress of the agency’s work.

10.The financial practices must be very economically and strictly laid down so
that there can be no misappropriations. The finances must be accurately
utilized and accounted for finance is the backbone of any organization. So
finances must be properly managed.

11.Every agency has to lay down certain standards of work and work towards
meeting those standards at all times. The personnel from highest level to the
lowest level must understand and maintain the standards and work for it with
great care.

12.One of the main threads that binds the whole agency together is
communication. The communication must be clear and smooth from all
sectors of the agency be it horizontal from department to department, or
vertical from top to bottom or bottom to top. The agency must also have an
open communication channel with the community people.

13.Social welfare administration must also see to it that the agency has suitable
coordination within the various departments of the agency and at various
levels in the agency. The agency when it works as a whole, it becomes most
effective to meet its objectives. The social welfare agency must also have
proper coordination with other agencies working in the same field. There must
be networking with agencies with similar themes, in same geographical areas.
 14.Social welfare administration has an important role in monitoring and
evaluation of the agency’s programmes and in assessing overall work.

Areas of administration

• Organization and structure.

• Policy making and planning.
• Programe development and use of sound methods and techniques.
• Functions of the executive and board.
• Specialization and coordination.
• Supervision and leadership.
• Public relations.
• Maintenance of proper records.
• Mobilization of recourses and budget.

Principles of Social Wok Administration

Acceptance: Leaders and staff members are stimulated to accept one another and to
act accordingly. This does not rules out criticism and evaluation and suggestions for
improvement but does mean that all staff members feel a basic safety as individuals,
with rights as well as responsibilities.
Democratic involvement information of agency policies and procedures: This
indicates participative management to perform better.
Open communication: This indicates sharing of ideas and feelings within the
agency; acting and reacting with honesty and integrity.
1. Principle of Social Work Values: The values of the profession are the
substance upon which services are developed and made available to persons
who need them.
2. The Principle of Community and client needs: The need of the community
and individuals within it are always the basis for the existence of social
agencies and the requirements of programs.
3. Principle of Agency purpose: The social purpose of the agency must be
profoundly formulated, specified, understood and utilized.
4. The Principle of Cultural setting: The culture of the community must be
understood in as much as it influences the way needs are expressed and the
way services are authorized, supported, and operated by the people who need
them.
5. The Principle of Purposeful relationship: Actual purposeful working
relationship must be established between the administrator, the board, staff,
and the constituency.
6. The Principle of Agency totality: The agency must be understood in its
totality and wholeness.
7. Principle of Professional responsibility: The administrator is responsible for
the providing of high quality professional services based on values, morals
and standards of professional practice.
8. Principle of Participation: Appropriate contributions of board, staff and
constituency, are pursued and utilized through the continuous process of
dynamic participation.
9. The Principle of Communication: Open channels of communication are
essential to the complete functioning of people.
10.The Principle of Leadership: The administrator must carry major
responsibility for leadership of the agency in terms of goal accomplishment
and the provision of professional services.
11.Principle of Planning: The process of continuous planning is fundamental to
the development of significant services.
12.Principle of Organization: The work of many people must be arranged in an
organized manner and must be designed so that responsibilities and
relationships are clearly defined.
13.The Principle of Delegation: The delegation of responsibility and authority
to other professional persons is essential.
14.Principle of Co-ordination: The work delegated to many people must be
properly coordinated.
15.The Principle of Resource Utilization: The resources of money facilities and
recruits must be carefully fostered, conserved and utilized in keeping with the
trust granted to the agency by society.
16.The Principle of Change: The process of change is continuous, both within
the community and within the agency.
 17.The Principle of Evaluation: Continuous evaluation of processes and
programs is essential to the execution of the agency’s objectives.
18.The Principle of Growth: The growth and development of all participants is
endorsed by the administrator who provides challenging work assignments,
thoughtful supervision, and opportunities for individual and group learning.

These Principles can be grouped as follows for the sake of understanding.

Principles related to Principles related to General Principles
Professional values Administrative function

Social work values Agency purpose Agency totality

community & Client Planning Change Growth
Needs Organization
Cultural setting Delegation
Purposeful relationship Co-ordination
Professional Resourceutilization
responsibility Leadership

Administrative Process in Social Welfare Institutions

POSDCoRB is an acronym which social welfare administration has borrowed from
management theory. The classical management thinker, Luther Gullick gave this acronym
to describe the functions of a manager in an organization.

Planning
According to Terry and Franklin: ‘Planning is selecting information and
making assumptions regarding the future to formulate activities necessary to
achieve organizational objectives.
 Urwick (1943) defines it as follows: ‘Planning is fundamentally an intellectual
process, a mental predisposition to do things in an orderly way, to think before
action, and to act in the light of facts rather than guesses’.
Major steps in planning:
 Define the problem
 Collect all relevant data and information about the activities involved.
 Analyze the information.
 Establish planning criteria and standards
 Preparation of different action plans for achieving the goal.
 Decide on one plan from the different alternative plans
 Arrange detailed sequence and timing for the plan
 Provide channels for feedback
 Implement the plan
 Evaluate the plan performance
Organizing
Organizing means establishing effective behavioral relationship among
persons, so that they may work together efficiently and gain personal
satisfaction in doing selected tasks under given environmental condition for
the purpose of achieving some goal or objective.
The need for an organization emerges when one individual cannot perform all
the necessary tasks. As number of individuals increase, they are further
divided into groups, each of which are given a specific set of tasks to perform.
How and o what basis these tasks are divided among individuals and group is
the role of ‘organizing’ in management.
Factors to be taken into account while organizing (Trecker):
 The administrative worker in the social agency must organize his work
not solely as an individual but always in relation to may other people.
 He must organize his work with a comprehension of the whole job to
be done.
  He must organize his work in relation to clear set of goals and purposes
which are inherent in the nature of the agency, which he represents.
 He must organize his job with a special regard for priorities and
arrangement of tasks in terms of significance and importance.
 He must organize his job so as to take into account his own and the
needs fo others to divide large assignments into manageable units, so
that a sense of productivity is forthcoming without excessive delay.
 He must organize his job so as to consider his own readiness to do a
certain thing and the readiness of others to respond.
 He must organize his job so that there is a systematic arrangement of
tasks in relation to the capacities and capabilities of his associates
 He must organize small units for smooth functioning.
Staffing
Administration of staff in a welfare agency is very challenging. One needs to
plan well before recruiting staff for various functions. A social work
professional must be competent enough to do this very important task with
efficiency.
It is an important administrative function as the abilities and sincerity of staff
determine the qualities of service provided by the social welfare agency. Even
poorly devised machinery may be made to work, if it is manned with well
trained, intelligent, imaginative ad devoted staff. O the other hand, the best
planned organization may produce unsatisfactory results, if it is operated by
mediocre or disgruntled people.
Staffing includes recruitment, selection, service conditions, promotion, leave,
working conditions, welfare, legal issues, etc. staffing also includes training,
orientation, supervision, grievance procedure, retirement rules etc.
Directing
Directing is the managerial function of guiding, supervising and leading
people.
According to Chandan: ‘it is concerned with directing the human efforts
towards organizational goal achievement’.
 Direction implies the issuing of necessary guidelines and instructions for the
implementation f the programmes of an organization, and the removal of any
difficulties which may arise in their execution.
The directions relating to the procedure are to ensure efficient and smoother
working of the organization for the achievement of its appointed purpose.
The purposes of direction are:
 To see whether the work is carried out in accordance with the
instructions and rules.
 To assist staff in keeping record of the work being done.
 To harmonize team work between employees
 To maintain and develop standards of performance
 To produce orderliness in performance.
 To get acquainted with the weaknesses of the programme and to
correct them.
Coordinating
Every organization is characterized by division of work and specialization.
Its employees are assigned their respective duties and they are not supposed
to interfere in the work of their colleagues. Thus, in every organization an
effort is made to avoid overlapping and duplication of functions and to achieve
maximum team work among the various personnel of their organization in
order to achieve its objectives. This arrangement of ensuring cooperation and
team work among the employees is termed as coordination.
According to Charlesworth (1951): “Coordination is the integration of several
parts into an orderly whole to achieve the purpose of the undertaking”.
Newman describes coordination as “the orderly synchronization of efforts to
provide the proper amount, timing and direction of execution, resulting in
harmonious and united actins to a stated objective.
Reporting
An official presentation of facts is called report. It is a summary of activity
covering a specific period of time. Reports are made periodically. They are
the tools or devices for use in carrying on the work of the agency. On the basis
of records maintained by the agency, it is easy to discover the extent to which,
 it has accomplished the objectives. They enable to summarize the results of
work together and help the board to formulate new objectives. Agency
planning can be sound only when it is based upon an adequate report.
Need for effective reporting:

Reporting keeps the management informed about the organization’s

performance.
Reporting allows the management to take corrective actions, when things go
wrong.
Reporting inculcates a sense of responsibility among employees, as they have to
report the programme activities t the higher authorities.
Reporting is also essential for preparing projects for future funding.

Budgeting
The word ‘budget’ originally meant a bag, pouch or pocket attached to a
person. But in modern sense, a budget is a complete statement regarding the
organization's income and expenditure of the past financial year, and provides
and estimate of the same for the coming financial year. The budget is passed
by Board of Managers or governing council.A budget contains the
expenditure, income and outcome planned for a specific period of time.
Need for budgeting:
Finance is the fuel on which the organization runs. One of the most
effective ways of directing and controlling the organization is by
controlling the financial part of the organization.
Budgeting helps to control the excessive expenditure
Budgeting helps in preventing administrative and financial
malpractices.
Budgeting improves the coordination in the organization.
Budgeting helps in measuring the performance of the organization.
 Budget allocation to various activities of the organization reveal the
priorities of the organization.
Personality Requirements of a Social Welfare Executive
Personality means the distinguishing traits and characteristics behavior of a person;
the sum total of a person’s somatic, mental, emotional and social traits; An
executives personality is the outcome of his knowledge/understanding, his attitude
his skills and actions.
Attitudes:
Attitudes are predispositions to act and are intertwined with the feelings of people,
which are essential to build satisfactory relationship with staff and community.
Significant attitudes that are necessary for an executive to be successful are given
below (Skidmore)
 Genuine respect for each staff member as an unique individual
 Recognize that no person is perfect and accepts this premise regarding staff
and self
 Willingness to provide a physical setting and emotional climate that will help
bring out the best in each staff member
 Respect for values
 Being open and receptive to new ideas and facts
 Recognize that the welfare of the agency is of more importance than any
worker, including himself.
Knowledge required for an executive:
Adequate knowledge of administration is essential for an executive to be effective.
Following are the brief descriptions of some of the salient areas of
knowledge.(Trecker, Skidmore)
 Knowledge of self and meaning of being and executive feeling about authority
and responsibility
 Adequate knowledge of the agency’s goals polices services and resources.
 Basic knowledge of the dynamics of human behavior
1.Understanding of the individuals who make up the agency, their needs, abilities
and motivations
 2.Understanding of how the individual receives basic satisfaction from his work,
how to provide recognition for genuine accomplishment.

 Comprehensive knowledge of community resources especially those related

to the agency.
 Knowledge of organizational theory/ Group dynamics
1.Understanding of groups, i.e. board, staff, constituency, how they define their
function and approach to their work
2.Understanding of kinds of help the group need in doing its work; how group asks
for and accepts help
3.Understanding of how the group relates and work with other groups in the
agencyand in the community
 Adequate understanding about the social work methods used in the agency.
 Acquaintance with the professional associations in social
work/welfare. Adequate knowledge of evaluation process and techniques.

Skills required for an executive:

Skill means expertness or mastering over certain activities, which give a
sense of accomplishment, and lends color to the personality. An executive is
expected to have thefollowing skills
Skill in selection of the staff
Skill in defining purposes and objectives of the agency
Skill in helping the staff organize for effective work
Skill in developing a work methodology
Skill in helping individual members.
REFERENCES
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https://www.scribd.com/doc/15017715/Social-Welfare-Administration
Nimaljoy. (2012) Social Welfare Administration. P.5. Retrieved from
https://www.scribd.com/doc/15017715/Social-Welfare-Administration
Gibelman, M. (1995). What Social Workers Do. Washington, DC: NASW Press
Neugeboren, Bernard (1979) "Social Polics and Social Welfare Administration,"The
Journal of Sociology & Social Welfare: Vol. 6 : Iss. 2 , Article 4. Available
at:https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/jssw/vol6/iss2/4
National Association of Social Workers (2004) www.naswdc.org/practice/
Gibelman, M. (1995). What Social Workers Do. Washington, DC: NASW Press
M. Khalid. (2003). Social Work Theory and Practice. Karachi: Kifayat Academy.