Knowledge is the fact or condition of understanding something with familiarity acquired through experience or association. Social work is a combination of knowledge, skills, and values in practice. social workers must have this knowledge in their profession. They need to understand the principles, interventions, and theories that need in this field to solve the problems of the clients. All this knowledge helps social workers to identify the problems of their clients and helps them to deal with their clients in solving problems. It helps to make a positive impact. here is a figure name that knowledge social worker needs to know.
Figure
- General Social Work knowledge
- Knowledge about the specific practice field
- Knowledge about specific agency
- Knowledge about specific client
- Knowledge about specific contract
General Social Work knowledge
This knowledge is to be acquired under the conventional social work education curriculum. This knowledge is Categorised into 3 broad Categories:
- Social welfare policy and services
- Human behavior and the social environment
Social welfare policy and services: These include institutions, programs, the impact of social policy, the role of social workers in formulating Social Policy Impact of various movements to achieve social welfare goals
Human behavior and the social environment: These include human development personality, formation, disease, and disability, Cultural norms and values, Social Processes knowledge of various aspects of the Social role of individuals and groups
methods of social work practice: The topics covered are direct service methods, individual social work, and groups. Social work, Collective organization, and Supportive methods of research.
Knowledge about the specific practice field
In the case where a social worker is engaged in social work practice, he has to acquire knowledge of the field and the field related to it. For example, a Social Worker engaged in corrective work has to acquire in a specific field of Correction along with the general knowledge acquired under the social work education Curriculum To connect an offender, the social worker has to acquire knowledge about Various subjects related to Criminology such as the aim, Philosophy, activities, crime theory punishment theory and Philosophy, Special law. In this case, especially the Social worker must get an idea about the theory of Criminology. These theories can be further divided into 3 cages Eg. ABiological and systemic theories Bpsycho-biological theory sociological theory
Knowledge about a specific agency
In Social work practice, the social worker has to acquire knowledge about the specific organization among the various organizations related to Social work. For example, in the implementation of 1 special Crime Correction Program, a social worker needs to have a thorough idea about the Probation department. In this case, the social worker has to acquire knowledge about the law of admission, Services provided, administration, Structure, etc. It is also necessary to know the organization’s Policies, plans, existing resources, Programmes, Implementation processes, and infrastructure.
knowledge about a specific client
When a social worker plays a role in Solving a Problem, he has to acquire deep knowledge about that helper. Social workers try to gain an overall Knowledge of the helper’s Personality Problems, resources, occupation, society family, etc in the practice of Social work. For example: when dealing with a Juvenile offender, the social worker must first establish of professional relationship with the client and the steps a social worker must take are Contact with the family, contact with the court, and reviewing the context of problematic behavior Clinic residence, school, hospital report and finally providing evaluation and Recommendation, etc.
knowledge about a specific contract
The relationship of the social worker with the helper will be professional. To Solve the problem,
The social worker has to maintain good relations with his helper. In this situation, the social Worker has to acquire knowledge about the methods and techniques of social work practice. Problem-solving and skills, creating a professional relationship with the helper to take corrective action. The social worker has to acquire knowledge about strategies such as Interviewing
SOCIAL WORK AND OTHER SOCIAL SCIENCES
What is a Social Science?
Social science confines different fields of study that focus on human behavior within its social and cultural context. It aims to understand the workings of our world by analyzing explanations based on social and behavioral factors.
Essentially, social science aims to clear light on the complexities of human relations and societies, offering insights into the way people behave and the influence of culture on their actions.
Through its diverse disciplines, social science helps us gain a deeper understanding of our complex and related world by analyzing human behavior in different social and cultural settings.
Social Work
Social work is often guided to as a helping profession, a problem-solving profession, or an enabling profession. In personality, social workers dedicate themselves to assisting individuals and communities, providing support, and finding solutions to challenges. They empower people to overcome obstacles and lead fulfilling lives by offering guidance, resources, and advocacy. As a helping profession, social work plays a vital role in managing various social problems and promoting positive change in society. Through their human efforts, social workers aim to enhance the well-being and quality of life of those they help.
SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
In its early stages of development, social work heavily depended on knowledge borrowed from other disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, economics, and political science.
- psychology
- Sociology
- economics
- political science
Sociology and Social Work
The Latin word “socius,” meaning “companion” or “associate,” connected with the Greek word “logos,” which translates to “study,” forms the foundation of the term “sociology” – the study of companionship, association, and the broader interactions of human beings in society.
- Sociology and social work are related fields that circle understanding the interactions between human beings and their social surroundings. Both fields focus on studying the complex relationships people have with their communities and societies.
- Both sociology and social work share a common problem for exploring social problems and the social structure within which individuals function. Additionally, they both investigate how people respond to and navigate cultural and structural limitations that shape their lives.
- Sociology primarily assumes a theoretical approach to studying society, focusing on developing and refining theories about human behavior and social structures. Its primary concern lies in completing and expanding theoretical frameworks.
- In contrast, social work takes a practical method, involving the hands-on application of knowledge to address real-world issues and challenges. Social workers work directly with individuals, families, and communities, tackling problems and providing support and solutions to improve people’s lives.
- Both fields address themes like failure, inequality, divergence, social exclusion, childhood, family, and care.
- The sociologist’s main concern is understanding the how, when, and why of people’s behavior as they interact with others.
- The social worker’s primary focus is on assisting these individuals to address their problems and enhance their social functioning.
What is Psychology?
Psychology deals with behavior and mental processes, exploring how they are influenced by an organism’s physical state, mental state, and external environment.
Psychology involves a systematic study of behavior, surrounding how we learn, think, and interact with others, the factors driving our actions, and the impact of personality and individual differences on behavior.
Psychology and Social Work
- Social casework primarily focuses on managing the psycho-social problems of individuals.
- Psychology assists social workers in understanding the psychological aspects of problems, especially when offering support to clients facing emotional, mental, and behavioral challenges.
- Psychology’s theoretical views have enriched the field of social work, empowering social workers to understand and apply knowledge effectively in their practice.
- Social workers provide counseling to clients through individual or group sessions, offering support and guidance to cope with challenges like sense abuse, mental or physical illness, poverty, unemployment, or physical abuse.
What is Economics?
Economics is the study of how people and societies make decisions about using the limited resources available to them, which include both natural resources and those inherited from previous generations.
Scarcity
Economic questions arise because we cannot fulfill all our wants and needs with the resources available to us.
What is Economics?
Definitions of Economics: Mankiw’s definition of Economics is the study of how society manages its scarce resources.
The condition of our physical surroundings, our material prosperity, and the availability of jobs all result from the economic system in place.
Economic Issues
- Unemployment
- Inflation
- Taxation
- Poverty
- Health Care
- Education
Economics and Social Work
- Both professions focus on the welfare and well-being of individuals within a society.
- Economics offers solutions to our economic challenges and issues.
- In social work, there is an analysis of how individuals fulfill their desires, the difficulties they face, and the resources at their removal to address these problems.
What is Law/ Jurisprudence?
Jurisprudence is a combination of ‘Juris,’ representing ‘law,’ and ‘prudence,’ meaning ‘knowledge’ or ‘skill.’ Jurisprudence involves the study, awareness, expertise, and theory of law.
- Law constitutes regulations established by the political authority to govern human behavior.
- Social Work and Law
- Jurisprudence is considered a social science since it involves the study of law, its performance, and its relevancy to human beings and society.
- Social workers often need to learn the law in various developing disciplines.
- Social workers deal with family matters like divorce and child custody, child welfare concerns such as child labor, and issues related to crime and punishment, including restoration, juvenile justice, and probation.
Good post.thanks