Module 2: Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

Lesson 3: Elements/Components of Social Work Practice

Intended Learning Outcome

At the end of the lesson, you are expected to:

Discuss the essential elements of social work practice

Activate Prior Knowledge

Why a certain individual would seek for a professional help from a social worker?
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Acquire New Knowledge

Trained or Professional social workers often find it difficult to explain to the public or
even to their friends and families what they do and what social worker practice is all about.
They are often most visible during crises or emergencies and are seen monitoring or giving out
material aid. It is therefore not surprising at all that the public image of social workers is that of
a charity worker handing dole-outs. So, in this lesson the essential elements or components of
social work practice will be discussed in order to provide a clearer understanding of social work
as a profession for which one must possesses basic scientific knowledge, appropriate values,
and the skills necessary for helping people in distress.
There are four (4) major elements of social work practice, the:

CLIENT
PROBLEM

AGENCY
HELPING PROCESS
Helen Harris Perlman, an American author, refers to these as the “4Ps” meaning the
Person, the Problem, the Place and the Process.

SW101: Knowledge and Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

 Module 2: Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

THE CLIENT/ PERSON

 Is an individual (man, woman, or child), a family, small group or community who finds
himself or is found to be in need of help in some aspects of his economic, social and
emotional living.
 The person who applies or is referred for help at a social welfare agency is called a
CLIENT not a beneficiary or recipient of alms, nor the indigent , needy or poor.
 In social work, the moment a person with a problem request for help and is qualified is
called a CLIENT.
 The person should be viewed as biopsychosocial being which means that human being
is at least made up of three parts or subsystems. Each part is affecting and in turns
isbeing affected by the others. Thus, it is the totality as a system that determines the
persons functioning rather that individualized operations of the system.
o Thus, to be able to help the person, the worker needs to know the following:
 Nature of the person – physical, emotional and psychological factors
 Nature of the problem – social, economic and cultural factors/reasons
Types of clients:
Abandoned, neglected, orphaned, abused or exploited children
Youth with behavior or emotional problems
Jobless poor unemployed family heads
Disadvantaged women
Adults without any means of support
Single or solo parent
Married couples or member of families with problems of relationship
Physically, socially or mentally handicapped – persons with disabilities
Elderly without families
Displaced persons
Victims of natural and man-made calamities and disasters
Victims of armed conflicts

Why a person seeks for a professional help?

 Person’s inability to handle stress produced by a distress situation or problem.
 The person who has a problem is under stress. The stress produces physical or
psychological strain or disruptive influence on the person making him unable to
function normally.

THE PROBLEM

 Is a question or situation that presents uncertainty, perplexity, or difficulty.

 The problem arises when the individual’s need has not been met or there are obstacles
to its fulfillment.

SW101: Knowledge and Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

 Module 2: Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

Need – is a condition or situation in which something is necessary or desirable is wanted or

required so that the person may function satisfactorily.

Listed below are the problems most often presented to social workers in the Philippines.
1. Lak of economic and social resources
o It refers to the total lack of income or a very inadequate one.
o It means lack of the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, and clothing, because
the person has no means of livelihood, work or job which would assure him of an
adequate and stable income.
2. Lack of education and skills, knowledge and experience
3. Lack of love, care, and protection
4. Illness and disability
5. Lack of opportunities or access to resources
6. Psychosocial Problems
o Emotional reaction to stress
o Loss of relationship
o Interpersonal conflict
o Culture conflict
o Maladaptive group functioning

THE AGENCY
(PLACE)
 Social welfare agency set up by the government or private sector to deal with the social,
personal problems of individual human beings who are experiencing some problems in
the management of their lives.
 Social agency is the place to which a person comes for help.

Function of the Agency:

To provide the needed resources to meet client’s problem

Social agencies are classified according to items:

1. Source of support
o The possible sources of support of an agency are taxes, donations and
contributions from individual and entities.

Type of Agencies according to its support:

1.1 Public Agencies (GAs) – supported by taxes
1.2 Private Agencies (NGOs) – donations and contribution
1.3 Semi-government – example Philippine National Red Cross

2. Source of Professional Authority

SW101: Knowledge and Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

 Module 2: Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

o A public agency derives its professional authority by LAW.

Classification of agency according to source of professional authority:

1. Primary agency or setting – one which carries full authority and responsibility for its
social welfare functions. (e.g DSWD)
2. Secondary agency or setting – one which is a part of another human service or social
organization. (e.g HOSPITAL)

3. Special function or area of concern (e.g SALAG- Rehabilitation Center)

THE HELPING
PROCESS (PROCESS)

 The last and the most important component of social work practice is the helping
process.
 It means through which an agency’s purpose is achieved; it is the means through which
intervention is applied to attain change in behavior or in the environment, or a problem
is alleviated or resolved.
 Series of actions, changes or functions intended to bring about the goal previously
agreed upon.

Application

After reading the elements/components of social work practice, Give one example for
each of the following:
1. Identify a client
2. What is the problem? (State the nature of the problem)
3. Possible agency where the client can be helped
4. Action to be taken

Assessment

Briefly explain the four (4) components/elements of social work practice according to
Helen Harris Perlman.

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SW101: Knowledge and Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

 Module 2: Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession

Rubrics in checking essay:

Criteria Point Weight

Ability to express ideas accurately 10
Critical Thinking 10
Correct grammar and spelling, neat and 5
readable
TOTAL 25

SW101: Knowledge and Philosophical Foundations of Social Work Profession