DIASS Module 13 14
DIASS Module 13 14
DIASS Module 13 14
MODULE 13-14
Professionals and Practitioners
in Social Work
Learning Competencies:
What I Need to Know
1. show an understanding of the roles
and functions of social workers
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If-19)
2. identify specific work areas in which
social workers work (HUMSS_DIASS12-
If-20)
3. identify career opportunities for
social workers
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If-21)
4. value rights, responsibilities and
accountabilities
(HUMSS_DIASS12-If-22)
5. distinguish between ethical and unethical behaviors
among practitioners (HUMSS_DIASS12-If-23)
B. CATEGORIZE ME!
Directions: Copy the table in your answer booklet and categorize the words or
phrases below as to RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES
of a social worker.
OPTIONS:
a. to fulfilling professional mandates
b. to live by its values
c. to the employers
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d. to the clients
e. to help children
f. assist those life- threatening problems
g. aid people in overcoming addictions
h. to the society
i. to protect and uphold respect for the inherent worth and dignity of people.
j. to the law
k. to the professional associations
l. to promote social justice
What’s is It
There are several duties that a social worker typically perform to the people and
the community they serve. Accordingly these are the roles and functions of a social
work:
Broker
The social worker is involved in the process of making referrals to link a family
or person to needed resources. Social work professionals do not simply provide
information. They also follow up to be sure the needed resources are attained. This
requires knowing resources, eligibility requirements, fees and the location of services.
Advocate
In this role, social workers fight for the rights of others and work to obtain
needed resources by convincing others of the legitimate needs and rights of
members of society. Social workers are particularly concerned for those who are
vulnerable or are unable to speak up for themselves. Advocacy can occur on the
local, county, state or national level. Some social workers are involved in international
human rights and advocacy for those in need.
Case Manager
Case managers are involved in locating services and assisting their clients to
access those services. Case management is especially important for complex
situations and for those who are homeless or elderly, have chronic physical or
mental health issues, are disabled, victims of domestic or other violent crimes, or
are vulnerable children.
Educator
Social Workers are often involved in teaching people about resources and how
to develop particular skills such as budgeting, the caring discipline of children, effective
communication, the meaning of a medical diagnosis, and the prevention of violence.
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Facilitator
In this role, social workers are involved in gathering groups of people together
for a variety of purposes including community development, self-advocacy, political
organization, and policy change. Social workers are involved as group therapists and
task group leaders.
Organizer
Social Workers are involved in many levels of community organization and
action including economic development, union organization, and research and policy
specialists.
Manager
Social Workers, because of their expertise in a wide variety of applications, are
well suited to work as managers and supervisors in almost any setting. As managers,
they are better able to influence policy change and/or development, and to advocate,
on a larger scale, for all underprivileged people.
Source: Chadron State College, NE, accessed January 15,
2020, www.csc.edu/socialwork/career/roles/index.csc
· Children
· Older adults
· People with disabilities
· Patients with chronic, acute or terminal diagnoses
· People coping with grief or loss
· People with mental illnesses
· People struggling with addiction
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Schools and other youth-serving organizations
Military bases and veterans affairs clinics
Correctional facilities
Private practices
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Working in Industry
Social workers in industry (‘welfare workers’) are concerned with employees
and pensioners of an organization, e.g. the Army. The work can range from family
problems to work with pensioners and the elderly.
1. To help children
2. Assist those life- threatening problems
3. Aid people in overcoming addictions
4. To protect and uphold respect for the inherent worth and dignity of all people as
expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights (1948)
5. Promoting social justice to the people generally and to the people with whom
they work
6. To apply the professional values and principles set out above to their practice
7. They should act with integrity and treat people with compassion, empathy,
and care
What’s More
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WRITE IT!
Directions: In the cross diagram, write the rights and responsibilities of a
social worker and you as the learner. And on the inside of the cross, write the
similarities between you and the social worker then answer the questions below.
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Guide questions:
1. What are your obligations to enjoy your rights?
2. When can you tell that you are enjoying your rights?
3. As a learner, how can you be responsible to your society?
MY RIGHTS MY RESPONSIBILITIES
What is It
RIGHTS OF RESPONSIBILITIES
SOCIAL OF
WORKER SOCIAL WORKER
Ethical Standards
The following ethical standards are relevant to the professional activities of all
social workers. These standards are concerned with the social workers’ ethical
responsibilities:
1. To clients
2. To colleagues
3. In practice settings
4. As professionals
5. To the social work profession; and
6. To the broader society
What’s More
In the candy wrapper, write as many as you can the positive qualities that a
social worker must have. Then answer the follow up questions below.
Questions:
1. What is the purpose of listing values as part of the Code of Ethics of Social
Work?
2. With the standards and values laid on the Code of Ethics of Social Work,
how are you going to live with those standards?
3. Cite one positive quality that you think best fit to a social worker? Explain.
What I Can Do
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On the Net!
Go online and search for ‘career opportunities for social workers’. Make a
listing of the top 10 to 15 career opportunities that come out from your research.
Compare your new list with the list in this module. Discuss any new opportunities
that came out.
Assessment
Directions: Read each statement carefully. Write T on the line if you think the
statement is TRUE. If FALSE, change the underline word or group of words to make
the whole statement true.
1. Social workers keep accurate records.
2. Social workers promote social justice.
3. Social workers deal inappropriately with health and safety risks.
1. Unethical behavior is a must have for social workers.
4. The code of ethics specifies the standards of ethics, conduct, and
performance expected of registered social workers.
5. Social workers respect the rights and dignity of people.
6. Accuracy of data among social workers is verifying the source.
7. Making decisions for the whole based on the personal preference of the social
worker is essential for social work.
8. Social workers keep their professional knowledge and skills up to date so that
they are able to provide appropriate services.
9. Social workers comply with the laws and regulations governing their practice.
A. CATEGORIZE ME!
Directions: Copy the table in your answer booklet and categorize the words or
phrases below as to RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES and ACCOUNTABILITIES of
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a social worker.
RIG RE AC
HT SP CO
S ON UN
SIB TA
ILIT BILI
IES TIE
S
OPTIONS:
a.to
fulfilling
profession
al
mandates
b.to live
by its
values
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c. to the
employers
d.to the
clients
e.to help
children
f. assist
those life-
threatenin
g
problems
g.aid
people in
overcomin
g
addictions
h.to the
society
i. to
protect
and
uphold
respect
for the
inherent
worth and
dignity of
people.
j. to the
law
k. to the
profession
al
associatio
ns
l. to promote
social justice