14 Principles of social case work
Social case work is a method of helping individuals, families, and groups to cope with problems and achieve their goals. It is based on the belief that everyone has the potential to change and improve their lives.
Principles of social casework.
Principles are the standard verbalized statement of a particular phenomenon. In general, it is understood as the rules, law, concepts and fundamental truth. It is also understood as a hypothesis that is to be tested by the empirical observation for the experimentation which may forward as a guide to action. Similarly following are the principles that guide social caseworkers to initiate the treatment process of social casework.
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14 Principles of social case work
🤝14 Essential Principles of Social Casework
Building Professional Relationships for Effective Client Support
🎯What is Social Casework?
Social casework is a primary method of social work concerned with the development of individuals toward better adjustment with social realities and more satisfying human relationships. The relationship between caseworker and client serves as the medium through which positive changes are brought about in behavior and personality.
14
Core Principles
2
Main Schools
100+
Years of Development
📋The 14 Core Principles
1
Principle of Individualization
🎭No two persons are alike in all qualities and traits. Each individual client should be treated as a separate entity with unique problems, perceptions, and ego strength. Complete information is required to establish close relations and solve problems from the root.
2
Principle of Meaningful Relationship
💝The purpose of establishing relationships is to change client behavior or help achieve adjustment. Meaningful relationships develop by demonstrating genuine interest, warmth, respect, and caring, helping clients trust in the caseworker's objectivity.
3
Principle of Acceptance
🤗Social caseworkers accept clients as they are, with all their limitations. Acceptance is the crux of all help. Workers don't condemn or feel hostile toward clients because their behavior differs from approved norms, then work to modify behavior step by step.
4
Principle of Communication
💬Communication is a two-way process essential for proper understanding between caseworker and client. It's the road to identifying client problems and creating an environment where clients feel comfortable expressing their feelings.
5
Principle of Expression of Feelings
😌Clients need to express their feelings freely, especially negative ones. Caseworkers listen purposefully without discouraging or condemning, sometimes even encouraging therapeutic expression when beneficial.
6
Principle of Controlled Emotional Involvement
⚖️Social caseworkers understand client feelings and emotions but maintain professional boundaries by not becoming emotionally involved in client problems themselves.
7
Principle of Non-judgmental Attitude
🚫⚖️Caseworkers neither blame clients for their problems nor assign responsibility for their miseries. They evaluate attitudes and behaviors without moral judgment, focusing on understanding rather than condemnation.
8
Principle of Client Self-determination
🗳️Recognizes clients' rights and needs for freedom in making their own choices and decisions. This right is limited only by the client's capacity for positive and constructive decision-making.
9
Principle of Self-awareness
🪞Caseworkers must know their own strengths and limitations in dealing with client problems. When problems exceed their capacity, clients should be referred to appropriate authorities.
10
Principle of Social Functioning
🌐Focuses on how individuals function in their social roles and relationships, emphasizing their relation to the environment. Caseworkers assess client roles and capacity to perform them effectively.
11
Principle of Tuning Behaviour
🎼Recognizes that humans have body, mind, and intellect as three instruments of experience. Each person has a unique personality, and caseworkers facilitate the tuning of these three instruments for right perception and thinking.
12
Principle of Social Learning
📚Social learning is prerequisite to changes involved in problem-solving. The process involves arousing attention, organizing problems, acquiring new information, and providing opportunities for new experiences.
13
Principle of Confidentiality
🔒Involves the preservation of secret and personal information concerning the client, which is disclosed to the caseworker in the professional relationship only.
14
Principle of Non-condemning Attitude
🤲Caseworkers maintain a non-condemning stance toward clients, focusing on understanding and support rather than criticism or moral judgment of client behaviors or choices.
🏫Two Major Schools of Social Casework
🔍Diagnostic School
- 👨⚕️Based on Freudian psychoanalysis
- 📊Founded by Mary Richmond (1917)
- 🎯Focus: Increase individual ego capacity
- 📋Emphasizes comprehensive diagnosis
- 🎭Goal-directed, planned treatment
⚡Functional School
- 💪Based on Otto Rank's "will" theory
- 🏛️Developed at University of Pennsylvania
- 🌱Focus: Release client's inner capacity
- 🤝Client-centered approach
- 🔄Three-phase helping process
💡Key Takeaways
Client-Centered
All principles focus on empowering and supporting the client
All principles focus on empowering and supporting the client
Relationship-Based
Professional relationships are the medium for change
Professional relationships are the medium for change
Process-Oriented
Change happens through systematic, principled practice
Change happens through systematic, principled practice
Balanced Approach
Combines acceptance with professional boundaries
Combines acceptance with professional boundaries
🎯Conclusion
The 14 principles of social casework provide a comprehensive framework for effective professional practice. By following these guidelines, social workers can establish meaningful relationships with clients, facilitate positive change, and maintain professional standards while respecting client autonomy and dignity.
📚Sources
- Mathew, Anna. "Basics of Social Casework." Unit 2: Principles of Social Casework. R.M. College of Social Work, Hyderabad.
- Richmond, Mary. "Social Diagnosis" (1917). The Russell Sage Foundation, New York.
- Robinson, Virginia. "A Changing Psychology in Social Case Work" (1939).
- Hamilton, Gordon. "Theory and Practice of Social Case Work" (1956). Columbia University Press, New York.
- Biestek, Felix P. "The Case Work Relationship" (1957). Loyola University Press, Chicago.
- Perlman, H.H. "Social Case Work: A Problem Solving Process" (1957). Chicago.
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- 15 Definition of Social Case work
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- What is Case Management in social case work
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- Understanding Resistance and Reluctance in Social Case work
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- 5 Theoretical Approach used in Social Case Work
- Social Diagnosis -History of Social Work
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😍it's very useful ans it's very short and sweet
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