SW Philippine Definition

1. DEFINITION of SOCIAL
WORK

2. DEFINITION OF SW BASED on R.A. 4373
Social work is the profession which is
primarily concerned with organized
social service activity aimed to facilitate
and strengthen basic social relationships
and the mutual adjustment between
individuals and their social environment
for the good of the individual and of
society by the use of social work
methods.

3. SOCIAL WORK DEFINED (IFSW 2014)
Global Definition of the Social Work Profession
“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
well-being.

4. “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 well-being.

5. The Philippines adapts the global definition of Social Work as approved
by IFSW in _________.
The essential elements of the definition are amplified within the
Philippine Social Work context as follows:

6. Social work as a practice-based
profession is
evidence-based, theory-informed and
reflexive-reflective; emphasizes PRAXIS
(balance between theory and practice)

7. It is an academic discipline that
 requires a social worker the necessary four year BSSW educational
preparation (knowledge, attitude, skills and competencies for SW
practice) or has completed an MSSW degree and must pass the
licensure exam given by PRC to be able to perform professional SW
practice.
 concerns with SW problem solving and strengthening basic social
relationships between individuals and their social environment for the
good of the individual and of society.

8. SW promotes social change and
development that requires
Social Workers as catalyst of change and facilitators
of social change that is participatory, sustainable,
transformative, inclusive and innovative. Social
Work practice in the Philippines is integrative that
cuts across micro, mezzo, macro practice
continuum.

9. Phil SW promotes social cohesion.
Philippine social workers are tolerant of and respect differences;
promote peace and manage various forms and levels of conflict
through active non violent means. Inclusive SW practice
mainstreams those at the margins and has preferential option for
the poor, the vulnerable and at risk towards elimination of
structural inequalities.

10. PSW advocates for the empowerment and
liberation of people.
Social workers strive for the development
of peoples’ capacities and potentials for
their empowerment and liberation from
the socio-cultural, political and economic
conditions that curtail their growth and
development.

11. PSW adheres to the principles
of social justice, human rights,
collective responsibility and
respect for diversities:

12.  Social justice – Social Worker ensures that
people have access to resources, basic
social services, protection, and socio-
economic, cultural, environmental and
political entitlements or provisions.

13.  Human rights – Social worker adheres to the
international declaration of human rights and
those stipulated in the Philippine Constitution,
laws and statutes; ensuring that Filipinos are
provided with adequate social protection so
that their needs are met and their human
rights and inherent worth and dignity are
safeguarded.

14.  Collective responsibility – Social Worker is responsible to the
profession and to the people he/she serves. This encompasses
the agency/ organization, colleagues and clients. Social welfare
agencies must strive for organizational excellence to better
serve the clients. They must satisfy the standards set by
recognized accrediting and licensing government bodies.
Professional identity is attached to the professional
organization; thus one is not only responsible to oneself but to
the professional organization one is affiliated with. Social Work
professional organization (PASWI) must strive for organizational
competence and work towards the professional growth of its
members through active engagement and collaboration with
and among social work organizations in various practice and
academic settings.

15.  Respect for diversities – Social work
recognizes and respects faith, spirituality, varying
belief system and ethnicity in people’s lives.
This encompasses the importance of
understanding SOGIE and other populations at
risk and their intersectionality in each diversity
particularly its influence on structures that
reinforce oppression and marginalization.

16. Social Work is underpinned by theories of social
work , social sciences, humanities and indigenous
knowledges.
Social Work theories evolved from practice
wisdom, reflections, researches complemented by
theories borrowed from other professions and
disciplines. It is creative, innovative,
transformative and indigenous.
The practice is a purposive blending of appropriate
theories and models which are drawn from
existing local perspectives.

17. Social Work engages people and structures to
address life changes and enhance well-being
Social Work profession is aimed at increasing people’s hope and
creative potentials to address challenges and oppressive power
dynamics and structural sources of injustices. Therefore, optimizes
the full range of interventions and strategies for change across the
different levels of the society.
The social workers advocate and challenge unjust national and
institutional social welfare policies.
Social work associations in the Philippines should be more
organized, innovative, dynamic and proactive in addressing issues
and concerns confronting the SW profession, the social workers
and the people it is committed to serve.