Introduction to Social Work: History, Philosophy, Values, Ethics and Goals
What this domain tests
The origin, philosophy, value base, ethical code and goals of professional social work, plus the Kerala reform tradition that shaped local welfare practice.
Core content
- Social work is a practice-based profession promoting social change, empowerment and the liberation of people (IFSW definition). Its twin roots are charity/voluntarism and the pursuit of social justice.
- India's first professional school was the Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, Mumbai, 1936 (later TISS). In Kerala, organised welfare grew out of caste-reform and temple-entry movements (Sree Narayana Guru, Ayyankali's Sadhu Jana Paripalana Sangham, 1907), literacy campaigns and missionary health and education work. Voluntarism came before professional training.
- Philosophy: belief in the inherent worth of every person, the capacity for change, and collective responsibility for the weak.
- Six core values: service, social justice, dignity and worth of the person, importance of human relationships, integrity, competence.
- Biestek's casework principles: individualisation, purposeful expression of feelings, controlled emotional involvement, acceptance, non-judgemental attitude, client self-determination, confidentiality.
- Goals: remediation (cure), prevention, and development/enhancement, plus institutional change.
- Ethics: informed consent, confidentiality and its limits, professional boundaries, avoidance of dual relationships, competence.
Worked example
A school asks whether a student living with HIV should have her status shared with all staff. Reasoning: confidentiality is a primary obligation; disclosure happens only with informed consent or where law demands it for the safety of others. Answer: refuse routine sharing, discuss with the guardian, allow limited need-to-know disclosure, and record the decision.
Traps
Confusing values (beliefs that guide practice) with ethics (codified rules); equating charity with social work; forgetting that self-determination is limited by law and by the client's capacity.