SOCIAL WELFARE AND SOCIAL WORK

(THIRD EDITION)
Thelma Lee Mendoza
Published by: Central Book Supply Inc.
Chapter One
SOCIAL WELFARE
An organized system of social services and institutions, designed to aid individuals and groups to
attain satisfying standards of life and health, and personal and social relationship which permit
them to develop their full capacities and to promote their well-being. (FRIEDLANDER)

Includes those laws, programs, benefits and services which assure or strengthen provision for
meeting social needs recognized as basic to the well-being of the population (Elizabeth
Wickenden)

Includes all those forms of social interventions that have a primary and direct concern with
promoting both the well-being of the individual and the society as a whole. It includes the
treatment and prevention of social problems, the development of human resources, and the
improvement of the quality of life (Romanyshyn)

“An organized concern of all people for all people” (Gertrude Wilson)

It encompasses the well-being of all members of the society including physical, mental,
emotional, social, economic and spiritual being.

Society responds to unmet needs through the following:

1. Individual and group effort
2. Major societal institution which have their designated roles and responsibilities for meeting
human needs – Shared Responsibilities
3. Social Agency

TWO VIEWS OR CONCEPTIONS OF SOCIAL WELFARE

1. Residual formulations – conceives of the social welfare structure as temporary, offered during
emergency situation and withdrawn when the regular social system.
2. Institutional formulations - sees social welfare as proper, legitimate function of modern
society.

THREE CATEGORIES OF SOCIAL WELFARE PROGRAM

1. Social Security – compulsory measures instituted to protect the individual and his family
against the consequences of an unavoidable interruption.
2. Personal Social Services – service function which has bearing on personal problems,
individual situation of stress, interpersonal helping or helping people in need.
3. Public Assistance – refers to concrete aids/ materials supports provided usually by
Government agency.
Social Services
Refers to the programs, services and other activities provided under various auspices, to
concretely answer the needs and problems of the members of the society.

Concrete demonstration of social welfare or concern for the well-being of human society.
According to Richard M. Titmus, social problems are basically located in the economy. He
considers social services as partial compensation for the “SOCIALLY GENERATED
DISSERVICES AND SOCIALLY CAUSED DISWELFARE”

THREE GOALS OF SOCIAL WELFARE:

1. Humanitarian and Social Justice Goal -democratic ideal of social justice. This goal involves
the identification of the most afflicted, the most dependent, the most neglected and those that
least able to help themselves, and making them the priority target for the investment of scarce
resources.
2. Social Control Goal - This is based on the recognition that needy, deprived or disadvantaged
groups in a society are capable of striking out, individually or collectively, against what they
consider to be an alienating or offending party. Therefore society has to secure itself against
threats to life, property, and political stability in the community posed by those who are deprived
of resources and opportunities to achieve a satisfying life.
3. Economic Development Goal - This gives priority to those programs designed to support
increases in the production of goods and services and other resources that will contribute to
economic development. The immediate beneficiaries -- able bodied, relatively better-off
members of the community.

SOCIAL WORK
A profession which is concerned with man’s adjustment in his environment; a person in relation
to a person’s social situation.
Social work seeks to enhance the social functioning of individuals, singly, and in groups, by
activities focused upon their social relationship which constitute the interaction between man and
his environment.

These activities can be grouped into three functions:

Restoration of impaired capacity
Provision of individual and social resources
Prevention of social dysfunction

(US Council on SW Education)

Social Work in its various forms addresses the multiple complex transactions between people
and their environment. (IASSW and IFSW)

SOCIAL FUNCTIONING PROBLEMS ARE CAUSED BY:

1. Personal inadequacies o sometimes pathologies which may make it difficult for a man to cope
with the demands of his environment.
2. Situational inadequacies and other conditions which are beyond man’s coping capacities.
3. Both personal and situational inadequacies.
PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RIGHTS and SOCIAL JUSTICE are fundamental to social work
Chapter Two

THE PRE-HISTORIC PERIOD

Social Welfare work in those times centered on mutual protection and economic survival.

THE SPANISH PERIOD

During the Spanish Period the Spaniards brought the teaching “to do good to others for the
salvation of their souls”
1565 – Don Miguel Lopez de Legazpi established the first hospital in Cebu.
1882 – Hospicio de San Jose was founded to house the aged and the orphans.
1885 – Asilo de San Vicente de Paul, an asylum for girls was established

The American Period

1899 – American introduced the new educational system, new health methods and
religious freedom.
1900 – Phil. Normal School
1902 – Insular Board
1905 – American Red Cross, Philippine Chapter
1907 – La Gota de Leche
1910 – Phil. Anti – TB Society
1913 – Associacion de Damas Filipinas
February 5, 1915 – PWB ( Public Welfare Board)
January 1917 - Associated Charities of Manila
1921 – Office of Public welfare Commissioner
1922 - Office of Public welfare Commissioner prepared solicitation forms
1924 – Associated Charities became independent agency
1933 - Scholarship grants for professional training for Social Work

Josefa Jara Martinez-She worked on the Public Welfare Board and introduced the scientific
approach in Social Work.

Commonwealth Period 1940 – Department of Health and Public Assistance Service took over
the activities that used to be performed by the Associated Charities before it had ceased to exist.

Japanese Occupation-Social Welfare activities during this period consisted mainly of giving
medical care and treatment, as well as food and clothing, to the wounded soldiers, prisoners and
civilians. Prominent among volunteer organizations are Philippine Red cross, Young Women’s
Christian Association, and National Federation of Women’s League.

The Post War Year

1946 – Bureau of Public Welfare re- opened.
1946 – UNICEF was created.
October 4, 1947 – the Bureau of Public Welfare became the Social Welfare Commission
and was placed under the Office of the President.
August 1948 – PACSA was created by Pres. Quirino.
 1948 – UNICEF became active in the Phil.
January 3, 1951 – SWC and PACSA was fused in only one agency which is Social
Welfare Administration.

The Seventies
Sept. 8, 1976 – Department of Social Welfare became the Department of Social Services
and Development.
June 2, 1978 – Ministry of Social services and Development.
The Eighties - Case Management was launched.
Jan. 30, 1987 – MSSD became DSWD under E.O No. 123, signed by Pres. Cory Aquino
Nineties
Oct. 10 1991- R.A 7160 “Local Government Code” was passed
R.A 4373 Social Work Law 1965 No Social Welfare Agency shall operate and be
accredited unless it shall first have registered with the Social Welfare Administration which shall
issue the corresponding Certificate of Registration.

R.A 5416 1968

Empowers the Department to:
1. Set standards and policies to insure effective implementation of public and private social
welfare programs
2. Accredit public and private institutions and organizations engaged in social welfare activity
including licensing consultative services to them.
3. Coordinate government and voluntary efforts in social welfare work to avoid duplication,
friction overlapping of responsibility in social services.

DSWD VISION
“A society where the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals, families, and
communities are empowered for an improve quality of life”
DSWD MISSION
“To provide social protection and promote the rights and welfare of the poor, vulnerable and
disadvantaged individuals, families and communities that will contribute to
Poverty alleviation and empowerment through DSWD policies, programs, projects and
services implemented with or through local government units. NGO’s, Peoples
organization, other national government agencies and other members of civil society”

“To provide social protection and promote the rights and

welfare of the poor, vulnerable and disadvantaged
individuals, families and communities that will contribute to
poverty alleviation and empowerment through DSWD
policies, programs, projects and services implemented with
or through local government units. NGO’s, Peoples
organization, other national government agencies and other
members of civil society”
 1) CHILDREN
PD 603 THE CHILD AND YOUTH WELFARE CODE
RA 6972 BARANGAY TOTAL DEVELOPMENT AND PROTECTION OF
CHILDREN ACT
RA 7610 PECIAL PROTECTION OF CHILDREN AGAINST CHILD ABUSE,
DISCRIMINATION AND EXPLOITATION
RA 7658 AN ACT PROHIBITING THE EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN
BELOW 15 YRS. OLD
RA 8043 INTER-COUNTRY ADOPTION ACT OF 1995
RA 8044 YOUTH IN NATION BUILDING ACT
EO 340 PROVIDE DAY CARE SERVICES FOR THE EMPLOYEES
CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE
RA 8552 DOMESTIC ADOPTION ACT OF 1998
RA 8980 ECCD ECCD
RA 9231 ELIMINATION OF WORST FORM OF CHILD LABOR AND
STRONGER PROTECTION FOR WORKING CHILDREN
RA 9255 ALLOWING ILLEGITIMATE CHILDREN TO USE SURNAMES OF
THEIR FATHER

2) WOMEN
RA 6725 STRENGTHENING THE PROHIBITION ON DISCRIMINATION
AGAINST WOMEN IN RESPECT TO TERMS AND CONDITION OF
EMPLOYMENT
RA 6955 MAIL BRIDE ORDER AS UNLAWFUL ACT
RA 7192 WOMEN IN NATION BUILDING ACT OF 1992
RA 7877 ANTI-SEXUAL HARASSMENT ACT OF 1995
RA 8353 ANTI-RAPE LAW OF 1997
RA 8505 RAPE VICTIMS ASSISTANCE AND PROTECTION ACT OF 1998
RA 9208 ANTI-TRAFFICKING IN PERSON’S ACT OF 2003
RA 9262 Anti-VAWC

BP 344 ACCESSIBILITY LAW

RA 7277 MAGNA CARTA FOR DISABLED PERSON
RA 7432 SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 1992
RA 7876 SENIOR CITIZENS CENTER IN ALL CITIES AND MUNICIPALITIES
RA 9257 EXPANDED SENIOR CITIZENS ACT OF 2003
3) OLDER PERSONS/PWD’S

4) FAMILY
EO 209 FAMILY CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
RA 8187 PATERNITY LEAVE
RA 8369 FAMILY COURTS ACT OF 1997
RA 8972 SOLO PARENT WELFARE ACT OF 2000
 5) HEALTH
RA 7875 ESTABLISHING PHILHEALTH INSURANCE CORPORATION
RA 7883 INCENTIVES TO ACCREDIT BHW
RA 8344 PENALIZING THE REFUSAL OF HOSPITAL AND
MEDICALCLINICS TO ADMINISTER APPROPRIATE INITIAL
MEDICAL TREATMENT
RA 924 AMENDMENT OF RA 7875

6) LABOR/EMPLOYMENT
PD 442 LABOR CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
RA 7655 INCREASING MINIMUM WAGE OF HOUSE HELPERS
RA 8042 MIGRANT WORKERS BENEFITS AND INCENTIVES ACT OF 1995
RA 8282 STRENGTHENING THE SOCIAL SECURITY SYSTEM THEREBY
AMENDING RA 1161
RA 8291 INCREASING THE COVERAGE AND BENEFITS OF THE GSIS

7) OTHERS
RA 7160 LOCAL GOVERNMET CODE OF THE PHILIPPINES
RA 8371 INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S RIGHTS ACT OF 1997
RA 8425 SOCIAL REFORMS AND POVERTY ALLEVIATION ACT OF 1997

SOME GOVERNMENT AGENCIES/ORGANIZATIONS

OWWA The agency offers both local as well as overseas programs and services for
Filipino contract workers and their dependents in keeping with the provisions of the Labor Code.

National Housing Authority (NHA) Created under Presidential Decree No. 757 in 1975.
Its mandate is to develop and implement a comprehensive and integrated housing program in the
country. Focused in providing housing assistance to the lower 30% of the urban population. The
NHA also provides technical and other forms of assistance to local government units in
implementing their urban development and social housing programs.
Public Attorney’s Office (PAO) Under the DOJ and used to be known as the Citizen’s
Legal Assistance Office (CLAO). It represents, free of charge, indigent persons or the immediate
members of their families, in all civil, administrative, and criminal cases where, after due
investigation, and the interest of justice will be served.

Some Private Social Welfare Agencies and Organizations

Philippine Business for Social Progress (PBSP) a private, non-profit organization
established on December 16, 1970, to serve as private enterprises’ implementing arm for social
development. Its current priorities are indigenous peoples, small lowland farmers, small upland
farmers, sustenance fisher folks, landless rural workers, and the urban poor.
SOS Children’s Village a private child caring agency founded by Dr. Hermann Gmeiner
in Austria after World War II. Outside of adoption, it is the only agency which implements
Alternative Parental Care formulating a purposely planned long-term care orphaned and
abandoned Filipino children.
Women’s Crisis Center (WCC) This agency was established to pursue the following
goals: Establishment of holistic feminist services for victims/ survivors of all forms of violence
against women Elimination of all forms of violence against women through the formation of
women’s communities, supporting initiatives and encouraging partnership. Change and
transformation of existing values and attitudes that breed violence against women through the
application of feminist principles.

MAJOR PROGRAMS:
 Crisis Intervention
 Feminist Counseling (face-to-face and hotline)
 medical assistance and advocacy
 legal assistance and advocacy
 temporary shelter
 survivor’s support group
 education and advocacy
 training and education
 research
 documentation and publication
 consultancy services

HAVEN, a hospital-based crisis center for women survivors of a violent environment and also
coordinates with NGOs all over the country in efforts to prevent and eliminate family violence.

Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Child Sexual Abuse (CPTCSA) Established to
help children, and their families, who are victims of sexual abuse. It offers those protective
services, prevention and treatment services, training, research and advocacy, post-rehabilitation,
educational and medical assistance, housing, legal assistance, and technical training.

Tribal Development Foundation in the Philippines this agency addresses the needs of tribal
communities in different parts of the country. Its services include: skills development and
livelihood projects, tribal leadership training, educational assistance and adult literacy.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION IN THE PHILIPPINES

Associated Charities

Mother of the social work profession in the Philippines

First to use casework as a method of helping people.
 First to use social workers a a full time and paid employees
First to hire a trained social worker as executive secretary (Josefa Jara Martinez

(Josefa Jara Martinez) introduced new CONCEPT IN CHILD WELFARE WORK at

Office of Public Welfare Commissioner
President’s Action Committee on Social Amelioration (PACSA) established by Pre.
Quirino
PACSA is a community development agency to help with the problem of social unrest
in the country side, 1948.
Philippine School of Social Work was established in June 1950, offering a 1 year degree
program called Master of Arts in Social Administration
First director of PSSW is Mrs. Jara Martinez
RA 4373, June 19, 1965

THE PHILIPPINE ASSOCIATION OF SOCIAL WORERS –PASWI

National organization for professional social workers in the country
Founded on November 12, 1947
It was incorporated on April 18, 1948 and re-incorporated with the security and
exchange commission on October 18, 1988
MAGNA CARTA FOR PUBLIC SOCIAL WORKER RA 9433, APRIL 11, 2007

The Association’s objectives:

Promote and maintain a professional standard of social work practice
Strengthen the competence of members through the provision of opportunities for their
continuing professional growth and development.
Work for the better understanding, acceptance and recognition of social work as a
profession.
Initiate and work for social legislation in social welfare and development through
effective action.
Expand professional activities of the association through the organization of local
chapters and development of linkages with international organization devoted to human services.
Chapter Three

SOCIAL FUNCTIONING: SOCIAL WORK’S FOCUS OF CONCERN

Wernes Boehm
 Social work seek to enhance the social functioning of individuals, singularly and in
groups by activities focused upon their social relationship which constitute interaction
between individuals and their environment.

William Schwartz
 SW profession mediates the process through which the individual or society reach out to
each other through mutual need for self-fulfillment.
 Symbiotic means relationship between people and their nurturing group
 The Social Worker’s Field of intervention lies at the point where two forces meet: the
individual’s impetus towards health, growth and belonging, and organized efforts of
society to integrate its parts into a productive and dynamic whole.

William Gordon
PERSON IN HIS LIFE SITUATION COMPLEX – a simultaneous dual focus on
man and his environment. This focus has been concentrated at same times on the side of the
organism as interpreted by psychological theory and at other times on the side of environment as
interpreted by sociological and economic theory.

Harriet Barlett
Social functioning is the relation between the coping activity of people and the demand
from the environment.

Louise C. Johnson
Social workers become involved when individuals are having difficulty in a relationship
with other people: in growing so as to maximize their potential and in meeting the demands of
the environment. He described this situation as “people coping” and “environmental demand”.

Social Role
Socially recognized pattern of behaviors and activities expected from an individual
occupying a certain position in society.

THREE WAYS OF SOCIAL WORKERS TO IMPROVE SOCIAL FUNCTIONING OF

INDIVIDUAL
1. Change strategies directed towards the individual if personal inadequacies or sometimes
pathologies make it difficult for the individual to cope with the demands of his situation or
environment.
2. Change strategies directed toward the environment if it is latter that is beset with inadequacies
or if the situation is such as to be beyond the coping capacities of the individual.
3. Change strategies directed towards both the individuals and the environment.
THE FUNCTIONS OF SOCIAL WORK
1. REHABILITATIVE FUNCTION - tries to put back the person to a normal of healthy sate of
social functioning. Curative aspect – seeks to remove factors which have caused the breakdown
in the person’s social function.
2. REVENTIVE FUNCTION – early discovery, control and elimination of those conditions or
situations which may have harmful effect on social functioning.
3. DEVELOPMENTAL FUNCTION - both to help the individual make maximum use of his
own potentials and capacities as well as to further the effectiveness of available social or
community resources.

5 ELEMENTS OF ATTRIBUTES OF A
PROFESSION
BY ERNEST GREENWOOD

RA 4373, promulgated in 1965 – Social Work officially recognized as a profession with the
passage of a law by Congress.

1. SYSTEMATIC BODY OF THEORY - the 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 body of theory.

3TYPES OF KNOWLEGDE USED BU SOCIAL WORK:

TESTED KNOWLEDGE – established through scientific study
HYPOTHETICAL KNOWLEDGE – unproved theory, undergo transformation into
tested knowledge
ASSUMPTIVE KNOWLEDGE - practice wisdom

2. PROFESSIONAL AUTHORITY – client-professional relationship

3. COMMUNITY SANCTION - professional-community relationship

4. REGULATIVE CODE OF ETHICS - serves to check possible abuses which can arise out of
a professions exercise of authority, and its accompanying powers and privileges.

5. PROFESSIONAL CULTURE – interactions of social rules required by the formal and

informal groups generated a social configuration unique to the profession, viz… a profession
culture.
Social Values - basic and fundamental beliefs of a professional group, practically
reasons for its existence.
Professional Norms – accepted standards of behavior of doing things, which guide the
professional in various situations such as how to gain entry into formal and informal groups
Symbols - “meaning-laden items” including emblems, insignias, dress, history, its
idioms, and vocabulary and its stereotypes of the professional.
Chapter Four

3 essential components of profession:

Values
Worth which man attaches to certain things, systems or person within realm of
usefulness, truth, goodness or beauty. Formulation of preferred behavior held by individuals or
group.
William Gordon states that to “value” something is to prefer it and measure of the extent
of a preference what is price, effort or sacrifice one will obtain what is preferred whether article,
behavior or state of affair.

Knowledge
Refers to what it thought to be as confirmed by the reality.
Refers to what, in fact seems to be, established by the highest standards of objectivity
and rationality of which man is capable.

Skills
Ability expertness or proficiency gain from practice and knowledge.
Application with doing

THE PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL WORK

Derived from the society of which it is a part
“Man has worth and dignity”
This belief is associated with democratic theory, which views man as having worth
because he is capable of reason, of rational analysis and choice.

THE VALUES OF SOCIAL WORK

1. Each person has the right to self-fulfillment deriving his inherent capacity and thrust towards
that goal.
2. Each person has the obligation, as a member of society, to seek ways of self-fulfillment that
contribute to the common good.
3. Society has the obligation to facilitate the self-fulfillment of the individual and the right to
enrichment through the contribution of its individual members.
4. Each person requires for the harmonious development of hi powers socially provided and
socially safeguarded opportunities for satisfying his basic needs in the physical psychological,
economic, cultural, aesthetic and spiritual realm.
5. As society becomes more complex and interdependent increasingly specialized social
organization is required to facilitate the individual’s effort at self-realization.
6. 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 rage, variety and
quality as the general welfare allows.
DESCRIPTION OF MAN (Leonard Schneiderman)

1. Natural vs Transcendental View

Naturalistic View can explain by science.
Naturalistic View, man is part of nature
Transcendental View can never fully explain man partly due to our ignorance and partly
because man has a potential to transcend the natural order of things to choose, to create and to be
rational

2. Man as Social, Asocial or Anti-social

Social, men aspire to live on good terms with others to be part of and to contribute to
group life, making personal goals subservient to group goals.
Asocial, they are discreet (unnoticeable) individuals who came together to form groups
for their mutual protection and safety.
Anti-social, self-seeking egotistical out to extend personal gain at the expense of others.

3. Democracy’s view of Man

Man viewed as capable of reason of rational analysis and choice

DOMINANT VALUES OF FILIPINO

1. SOCIAL ACCEPTANCE – defines as being taken by one’s fellows for what one is, or
believes he is and being treated in accordance with his status.
a. Smooth Interpersonal Relation S.I.R
 Pakikisama which means giving in concession or following the lead of
suggestion of another.
 Euphemism means stating of an unpleasant truth, opinion, or request as
pleasantly as possible.
 Go Between or tulay means 3rd party who will carry a message
b. Amor Propio is a term used to refer to the sensitivity to personal affront and
functions to protect the individual against loss of social acceptance. Hiya is fear of exposure of
one’s insecure self.

2. Emotional Closeness and Security in a Family

 This value is believed to be facilitated through the following: sacrificing
individual interest for the good of the family, parental striving to give
their children an education even at great cost to themselves older

3. Authority Value
 Belief that families will remain close if someone exerts firm authority, and
that such person must be respected and obeyed.
 Closely relate to the authority value is the respect for traditions and rituals no
matter how impractical they have become
4. Personalism
 Attaches major importance to personal factors which guarantees intimacy,
warmth, and security of kinship and friends in getting things done.
 E.g tiwala, kakilala, walang pakialam

5. Utang na Loob
 Debt of gratitude
 It is granted when a transfer of goods or service takes place between
individuals belonging to two different groups
 Returning the favor “with interest”

6. Patience, Suffering and Endurance

 A person must suffer before he can gain happiness, and related to it is that
which many still believe, that women, particularly must suffer in silence.

Seven Principles of the Social Work

Relationship Felix Biestek

PURPOSEFUL EXPRESSION OF FEELINGS

 Recognition of the client’s need to express feelings freely
 Worker listens purposefully
 Worker neither discourages nor condemns the expression of feelings
 Sometimes worker actively stimulates and encourages expression of
feelings
CONTROLLED EMOTIONAL INVOLVEMENT
 The worker is sensitive to the client’s feelings
 Makes effort to understand their meaning
 A purposeful, appropriate use of the worker’s emotions in response to the
client’s feelings
 Controlled and objective emotional involvement in the client’s problem
 Controlled emotional involvement in the client as a person
ACCEPTANCE
 The recognition of client’s innate dignity, worth, equality, basic rights, and
needs
 Regardless of client’s individual qualities arising from heredity, environment,
behavior, or any other source.
 Acceptance does not mean approval of the client’s behavior, attitudes, or
standards
 Acceptance includes thought and feeling elements, and is expressed primarily
in the manner of service.
INDIVIDUALIZATION
 The recognition and understanding of each client’s unique qualities
 Differential use of principles and methods to assist client toward change
 
Individualization is based on the right of human beings to be individuals

Right to be treated not just a human being but as this human being with these
personal differences.
NON-JUDGEMENTAL ATTITUDE
 Based on the conviction that the helping process precludes:
 assigning guilt or innocence
 degree of client responsibility for causation of the problems or needs
 Does include making evaluative judgments about the attitudes, standards, or
actions of the client
CLIENT SELF-DETERMINATION
 Based upon the right of the individual to make their own choices and decisions
 The client has a right and a need, within certain limitations, to have freedom in
making their own decisions/choices
 Worker has a duty to respect that right, in theory and in practice
 refrains from any direct or indirect interference –
 Positively helps the client to exercise that right.
CONFIDENTIALITY
 The protection of secret/private information disclosed in the professional
relationship
 Confidentiality is a basic right of the client
 An ethical obligation of the worker
 Necessary for effective helping
 The client’s right, however, is not absolute
 The client’s information is often shared with other professional persons within the
agency and in other agencies
 Written permission is required to divulge information to other agencies

Two concepts that sw’ers usually experienced when dealing with clients

Ambivalence-Conflicts between two opposing tendencies within oneself are manifested in day
to day experiences of social workers
-Mixed feelings

Transference -Client unconsciously transfer to the social worker attributes or characteristics of

some important or powerful persons in his early life.
Counter transference -Worker’s unconscious response to the client’s unconscious transference.

ETHICS - The science that treats of morals and right conduct.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS - System of ethical principles and rights of conduct generally

accepted by the members of a professional group, based on philosophy, values, guiding principle
of that profession.
It has two aspect:
1. Profession’s code of ethics which is written expression of some of these principles and
rules of conduct for the guidance of professional group.
2. Unwritten principles and rules of conduct

PASWI CODE OF ETHICS

1. believing in the inherent worth and dignity of all person emanating from a supreme being who
directs our actions of love for one another.
2. Believing that every human being has natural and social rights capacities and responsibilities
to develop his full potential as a human being.
3. Believing in the human being’s capacity to change and recognize the value of unity in
diversity, individual differences and pluralism in society.
4. Believing in free men and women living in a free society where poverty, in all forms, is
neither a fate nor a punishment but is a condition that can and must be change.
5. Believing in the family as a basic unit of society and its vital role in the growth and
development of the individual, the family system and the community.
6. Believing that the government, the private sector and the public have a joint responsibility to
promote social justice and to ensure the political, economic and social well-being of all people.
7. believing in the role of social workers as agents and advocates of change and in the promotion
of professionalism, responsibility and accountability.
8. Believing that our professional practice is deeply rooted in our cultural values

A. Relative to Self and the Profession

To conduct myself in a manner consistent with the philosophy, principles, values and beliefs of
the social work profession.
To act at all times with honesty, openness and transparency in all my professional transactions.
To constantly work towards my own professional advancement so as to contribute to the
promotion of social work practice
To contribute time and professional expertise to activities that promotes respects for the integrity
and competence of social workers.
To contribute time and professional practice wisdom to colleagues and other professionals to be
vigilant and act to prevent the unauthorized and unqualified practice of social work.
To support the professional association duly organizes and constituted for the professional
welfare of all social workers
To respond and volunteer my professional services in times of emergency. To uphold and protect
the dignity and integrity of the profession
To promote cultural values that will enhance the practice of the social work profession

B. Relative to Clients
To uphold the basic human rights of clients and to serve them without discrimination
To accept primary responsibility and accountability to clients, respecting their right to self-
determination and observe confidentiality in all my dealings with them
To seek out the marginalized and ensure equal access to the resources, services and opportunities
required to meet basic needs.
To expand choice and opportunity for all persons, with special regard for disadvantaged or
oppressed groups or persons.

C. Relative to Colleagues
To acknowledge and respect the professional expertise of other disciplines, extending all
necessary cooperation that will enhance effective service.
To bring any violation of professional ethics and standards to the attention of the appropriate
bodies inside and outside the profession and ensure that relevant clients are properly involved.
To advocate with legislative and policy bodies for the welfare of all colleagues

Unwritten Duties and Obligations Expected of a Professional Social Worker

A. Duties toward clients

A professional deals with clients openly and frankly
A professional is patient, tolerant and consideration of the client’s point of view
A professional never use threat or deceit
A professional never is punctual in keeping appointment and makes no compromises she cannot
keep
A professional is careful and thorough in dealing with client problems
A professional never discriminates against any client, giving so-called “hopeless” cases as much
attention as promising ones
A professional will act in relation to a client’s problems only on the basis of adequate knowledge
of client’s situation

B. Duties toward colleagues and the profession

A professional is courteous and fair in dealing with co-workers
A professional cooperates with co-workers in the pursuit of common goals
A professional should maintain high standards of honor, integrity and morality
A professional does not exploit her professional membership, and distinguishes between
activities she does as a private citizen and as a member of the profession.

Purposes served by a professions Code of Ethics

 It helps check abuses, which can result from the powers and privileges accompanying the
monopoly enjoyed by a profession.
 It provides the community same protection against abuses by members of profession
 It sets forth basic principles which serve as guidelines to members of profession, and
which are helpful in the socialization of future professional
 It sets guidelines for relationships, if not specific duties of members to each other, to their
clients and to other groups
 It is a useful resource for the enrichment or improvement of the professional curriculum
ETHICAL DILEMMA usually faced by social workers