This document provides an introduction to the field of social work. It defines social work as a profession that promotes social change, problem-solving, and empowerment to enhance well-being. Social work is based on respect for human rights and social justice. It focuses on meeting human needs and developing potential. The core values of social work are service, social justice, dignity, relationships, integrity, and competence. Social work engages people and structures to address challenges and enhance well-being. Community organization is a process where a community identifies needs, prioritizes them, develops confidence to address needs, finds resources, takes action, and promotes cooperation.

1. Introduction to Social Work
Jacob Islary

2. What is Social Work
• ‘The social work profession promotes social change,
• problem solving in human relationships
• and the empowerment and liberation of people to
enhance well-being.
• Utilising theories of human behaviour and social
systems,
• social work intervenes at the points where people
interact with their environments.
• Principles of human rights and social justice are
fundamental to social work’ (IFSW, 2000).

3. Philosophical Values
• Social work grew out of humanitarian and democratic ideals,
• and its values are based on respect for the equality, worth, and
dignity of all people.
• Since its beginnings over a century ago, social work practice has
focused on meeting human needs and developing human potential.
• Human rights and social justice serve as the motivation and
justification for social work action.
• In solidarity with those who are dis-advantaged, the profession
strives to alleviate poverty and to liberate vulnerable and oppressed
people
• in order to promote social inclusion.
• Social work values are embodied in the profession’s national and
international codes of ethics.

4. Core-Values
• SERVICE
• SOCIAL JUSTICE
• DIGNITY AND WORTH OF THE PERSON
• IMPORTANCE OF HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS
• INTEGRITY
• COMPETENCE

5. Global Definition of the Social Work Profession
(IFSW & IASSW -July 2014)
• “Social work is a practice-based profession and an
academic discipline
– that promotes
• social change and development,
• social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of
people.
• Principles of social justice, human rights, collective
responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social
work.
• Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences,
humanities and indigenous knowledges, social work engages
people and structures to address life challenges and enhance
wellbeing.”

6. Community Organization
• a process
• by which a community identifies its needs or objectives,
• orders (or ranks) these needs or objectives,
• develops the confidence and the will to work at these
needs or objectives,
• finds the resources (internal and/or external) to deal with
these needs or objectives,
• takes action in respect to them,
• and in so doing extends and develops co-operative and
collaborative attitudes and practices in the community
(Ross 1955).

7. Principles of Community Organization
1. Create discontent of existing condition
2. Discontent must be focused and channelized
3. Discontent must be widely shared
4. Involve local leaders-formal and informal
5. Involve local self-governing
6. Use local hidden potentials and resources
7. Develop active and effective communication
8. Local leadership should support and strengthen community groups
9. Make efforts for effective community leadership
10. Understand the local social structure
11. Recognize the dignity of individuals
12. Change the attitude of people through continuous education
13. Promote collective responsibility in development process (Ross, 1955).