Social Welfare Services: The Basic Principles of Social Work

* Social Welfare Services
INTRODUCTION:
 Because our communities face a variety of problems, countries have realized that there is a need for social services.
This refers to formally organized, and socially sponsored
institutions, agencies and programmes, to maintain or improve economic and social conditions, health or personal competence in some, or all, parts of the population. The provision of
welfare services is called social work. Let us look at the aims of social work services.
Aims of Social Work Services:

1. Enhance problem-solving and capacities of people to cope;
2. Assist children, young people and adults with social problems;
3. Provide rehabilitation services for individuals in prison, the physically handicapped, parents and their communities;
4 Assist the community to initiate useful programmes for people using available community resources
5. Link people with systems that provide them with services, resources, and opportunities;
The Basic Principles of Social Work:

 According to William E. Gordon (1962), the philosophical foundations of the social work profession are based on several propositions.
 These form the basic principles of social work.
 . The individual is the primary concern of society.
 There is interdependence between individuals and societ
 Individuals have social responsibility for one another.
 There are human needs in each person, yet each person is essentially unique and different from others
Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups:

These are groups that require strong social welfare services in your country:
1. The children and young people
2. The elderly;
3. The disabled and handicapped;
4. The unemployed;
5. The needy families; and
6. The sick and injured
Children and Young People

Many children live under conditions of poverty with inadequate housing, clothing, supervision and love. One contributing factor to this is the migration of families from rural to urban
areas, where they face not only economic difficulties, but also a lack of the traditional support system offered by the extended family unit. Urban migration results in cultural diffusion,
and a loss of the values and norms that used to govern society.For the benefit of the children and young people, governments provide a variety of institutions, such as schools, colleges
and universities, where young people can be socialized
 The Elderly:
Traditionally, the family insured a person throughout life. Young family members had to provide for the elderly. However, because of an increase in paid employment, young members
of the family migrate to towns and cities. The result of this is that the number of people, upon whom the elderly can depend, has become smaller. Industrialization has attracted the
young, and the not-so-young, to urban areas leaving the elderly relatively alone. It must be noted, however, that this does not mean that extended family obligations are not observed.
During such events as births, marriages and deaths, members of the extended family still return home, and discuss their needs and plan together. This shows that the elderly still hold a
special position in the traditional family structure.
The Disabled and Handicapped

The disabled and the handicapped have the same needs as others. They need friendship, a satisfying job, an adequate income, recreation and comfortable housing. Unfortunately, the
prevailing social attitude towards them is unhealthy. This stems from the stigma attached to the family with a disabled or handicapped member. Some families do not have the love and
patience needed for such a child. Originally, a disabled person was the sole responsibility of the family. Now, many governments recognize their rights, and make efforts to provide
formal and informal education services for them. These services are provided by co-operative efforts between voluntary agencies and ministriesSome may say that unemployment is not a
social worker’s concern.
. The Unemployed
Some may say that unemployment is not a social worker’s concern. Unemployment in Africa continues to be a problem. Among those affected are the rural migrants to urban areas, the
rural unemployed and underemployed (unskilled), young school-leavers, the retrenched, and recently the educated unemployed.
Young school-leavers leave school without proper skills to do any kind of work. They need special attention, as most of them leave school with high expectations that the government will
provide them with jobs.
In many countries, career or vocational counselling for workers is done by the Ministry of Labour, while the Ministry of Education is responsible for the school-going population. However,
the social worker remains in contact with all types of people in your area, whether they require career/vocational counselling, or whether they are the school-going population requiring
help
 Needy Families
As a result of the rapid population growth experienced by many countries in Africa, the proportion of needy families has increased. The family unit in Africa is primarily responsible for
its own welfare. Many governments play a limited role when it comes to providing for needy families. One reason for this is that they have difficulty in identifying needy families.
Usually, the government depends on the Department of Social Services to identify these needy families. This is why the Department encourages such people to come forward and register
with them. These could be old people in the community, the widowed, and children, who need money to go to school or buy food.
Summary
you learnt about some social welfare services. We identified vulnerable and marginalized groups that are more likely to need social welfare services. This includes children and youth,
elderly citizens, the disabled and the handicapped, the unemployed, needy families, and the sick and injured.
Prepared by Abdul basee {bs physics fourth semester}

Social Welfare Services: The Basic Principles of Social Work

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Social Welfare Services: The Basic Principles of Social Work

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Description:

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Social Welfare Services: The Basic Principles of Social Work

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

* Social Welfare Services

Aims of Social Work Services:

2. Assist children, young people and adults with social problems;

The Basic Principles of Social Work:

Vulnerable and Marginalized Groups:

1. The children and young people

3. The disabled and handicapped;

5. The needy families; and

6. The sick and injured

Children and Young People

The Disabled and Handicapped

Prepared by Abdul basee {bs physics fourth semester}

You might also like