Chapter 49: Social Work

Introduction

Social work is emerging as an important profession in the modern world. The term social work and social welfare are sometimes used synonymously. Social welfare has a broader meaning and encompasses social work, public welfare and other related programmes and activities. Social work shares same knowledge and skills with sociology, psychiatry, psychology and counselling, but it possesses distinguishing characteristics that set it apart from other disciplines. For example, the psychologist usually works with individuals on a rather intensive basis and on occasions becomes a psychotherapist.

Conversely, the social worker is particularly interested in the social functioning and relationships of clients and in utilizing community resources to meet their personnel as well as social problems. A much used historical definition is that social work “seeks to enhance the social functioning of individuals, singly and in groups, by activities focused upon their social relationships which constitute can be grouped into three functions: restoration of impaired capacity, provision of individual and social resources, and prevention of social dysfunction” (Werner W Bochm: Objectives of the Social Work Curriculum of the Future, New York, Council of Social Work Education, 1959. p. 54).

The underlying assumptions of social work are: (i) like any other profession it has problem-solving functions; (ii) social work practice is an art with a scientific and value foundation; and (iii) as a profession, social work is recognised by the society. The area of social work is wide and varied. Looking at the contents of Social Work courses offered by various universities, it may be grouped into four categories, viz., (i) community work; (ii) medical and psychiatric social work; (iii) working with families, women and children, and (iv) working with offenders.

The scientific base of social work consists of three types of knowledge, viz., (i) tested knowledge, (ii) hypothetical knowledge which needs to be tested for transforming it into tested knowledge; and (iii) assumptive knowledge that requires transformation into tested knowledge via hypothetical knowledge. The educational programmes aim imparting this entire gamut of knowledge both in class room and in extensive field work aimed at integrating the theory and practice.

Educational Opportunities

Social work has emerged as a major academic discipline in recent years. Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) established in 1936, as Sir Dorabji Tata Graduate School of Social Work, is the pioneer in the field of scientific training in social work. Since 1964, it enjoys the status of a Deemed University. It offers M.A (Social Work), M.A with specialisation in Social Welfare Administration, M.Phil and Ph.D Degrees. Considering the importance of the subject, many universities have set up separate schools or departments of social work. There are also separate schools or departments of social work. There are also separate colleges of social work affiliated to universities. Education in social work is available at four levels: (1) Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), (2) Master of Social Work (MSW/MA in Social Work), (3) Postgraduate Diploma and Certificate in Social Work, and (4) Research Studies (M.Phil and Ph.D).

Many Universities now offer social work as one of the combinations at the Bachelor degree level. At present, there are 14 universities and some of the colleges affiliated to them offer BSW courses. The course is of three-year duration. Master’s degree course, (MSW or MA) are available in 53 Universities. Besides, a large number of colleges affiliated to them have been permitted to offer Master’s degree courses. The Annexure gives a list of Universities offering Social Work courses both at the Bachelor and Master’s degree levels. The courses offered by TISS and the Delhi School of social work (Delhi University) are rated very high in the employment market.

Postgraduate diploma courses are available in social work and in such related areas as criminology, and criminal and correctional administration. However, the number of institutions that offer these courses are very small. Some of the Universities which offer Master’s degree course have also introduced M.Phil and Ph.D courses. Two specialised M.Phi courses, however, deserve mention: (1) Central Institute of Psychiatry (Ranch-834006) offers M.Phil in Medical and Social Psychology and Psychiatry Social Work open to Master’s degree holders in Sociology and Social Work; and (2) National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Surgery (Bangalore-560029) has an M.Phil course in Psychiatric Social Work open to the MSW degree holders. Both the courses are of two-year duration.

Career Opportunities:

Social work is both physically and mentally demanding profession. One should be in good physical health to enable working for longer hours in adverse environments. The work may involve walking long distances often in difficult terrains. Excellent communication skills and knowledge of the language of the region of work are two basic requirements. It is different from most of the other professions in the sense that, it is not merely a “job”. Apart from knowledge and skills necessary to work with people that the social workers must possess, what matter more are their values, beliefs, feelings and convictions. Those who have a good idea about the nature of social work, Jobs are available in the (1) governments, (2) non-government organisations (NGOs), and (3) International Initiatives.

In the government sector, however, jobs are open not only to persons qualified in social work but also to those with degrees in such subjects as sociology, psychology and economics. The positions are available in the areas of family welfare, education, social welfare, and tribal development, etc. The NGO sector offers diverse career options in social work. There are a large number of committed NGOs all over the country working in areas like development, health, education, women, children, etc. They also need committed social workers to implement their programmes.

International organisations like United National Development Programme (UNDP), World Health Organisation (WHO), Norwegian-funding Organisation for Rural Development (NORAD), International Labour Organisation (ILO) have also openings for high profile jobs. The corporate sector have started realising the importance of the profession and are employing qualified social workers to utilise their knowledge and skills in human resource development. In many organisations, social workers from an integral part of the personnel departments. Apart from taking up jobs, qualified persons can independently provide counselling services. Social research is another area where social workers can find suitable job opportunities. Many NGOs get funds for undertaking research in the field of development, health, gender issues, etc. Persons seeking jobs in this area can undergo a course in Research Methodology offered by some institutions.

Those who would like to take up the career may find the book Careers in Social Work by Shilpa Jamkhedkar (Caring, 1997) a very useful guide.