Problem Solving Framework in Social Work

Helen Harris Perlman is considered as the originator of the problem-solving framework in social work which has greatly influenced social work thinking. She describes social work process as a progressive transaction between the professional helper and the client, consisting of a series of problem-solving operations which can be summarized as follows: 

1. The facts that constitute and bear upon the problem must be ascertained and grasped (Study);
2. The fact must be thought about, ie., turned over, probed into, and organized in the mind, examined in their relationships to one another, and searched for their significance (Diagnosis);
3. Some choice or decision must be made as an end result of the consideration of the particular facts with the intention of resolving the problem (Treatment).

In social work literature, there are a number of other well-known authors who follow a framework for problem-solving. Among these are the following whose writings are based on the traditional social work methods of casework, group work, and community organization:

Reference:
Lee-Mendoza, T. (2008) Social Welfare and Social Work. Central Book Supply

Social Work Principles

1. Acceptance of people as they are.

• respecting the client under any circumstances
• meeting and interacting with the client non judgmentally
• manifests a genuinely warm interest and concern in the client and his situation
• recognizing that people have strengths and weaknesses, and capacities and limitations

2. Participation of the client in problem-solving.

• client is asked to provide pertinent facts, present his own perceptions of the situation, involve in problem identification, and if there are many problems, client is involved in prioritizing problems
• client  participates in planning ways of resolving the problem
• worker builds upon and utilizes client's strengths

3. Self-determination as a right of the client.

• client has the right to determine what he needs and how they should be met
• worker does not do everything for the client, for she knows that client is capable for "self-help"
• worker will not manipulate but will guide client to look at problems objectively
• client develops self-respect and self-confidence when he realizes that he is able to solve his problems

4. Individualization

• recognition and understanding of each client's unique qualities and the differential use of principles and methods 
• worker should relate to each client as an individual in a situation
• individuals may present same problems but circumstances of the problem, perceptions and responses will be different

5. Confidentiality

• provide client protection
• what the client tells the worker is not discussed with others except when this is done within the context of professional relationships, for the purpose of helping the client, eg. case conference
• requesting of information about the client from another professional or agency are not prepared without the permission of the client, eg. what wife tells the worker is not shared with husband without her permission

6. Worker Self-awareness

• worker must always be conscious that her role is to make use of her professional relationship with her client in a way that will enhance the client's development rather that her own
• worker must examine feelings whether her responses and feelings are professionally motivated
• no one is completely free of biases: it is important to be aware of this and be able to control them so that they do not interfere professional practice

7. Client-worker Relationship

• professional relationship: controlled and purposive
• does not just happen, formed on the basis of expectation from the parties who compromise the relationship
• moves in the direction of certain goals or objectives which have been identified by mutual agreement

Reference:
Lee-Mendoza, T. (2008) Social Welfare and Social Work. Central Book Supply

Functions of Social Work

1. Restorative/curative/remedial/rehabilitative functions - to assist individuals and groups to identify and resolve or minimize problems arising out of disequilibrium between themselves and the environment.                               

• curative aspect - seeks to remove factors which have caused the breakdown in the person's social functioning. 
• rehabilitative aspect - tries to put back the person to a normal or healthy state of social functioning. 

One example for curative aspect is helping a girl who engages in prostitution for a living to change her ways through counseling relationship and effecting necessary changes in her home or environmental conditions. the rehabilitative aspect could involve helping her avail herself of opportunities for schooling, skills training, and legitimate employment. 

2. Preventive function - to identify potential areas of disequilibrium between individuals or groups and the environment in order to prevent occurrence of disequilibrium. This involves early discovery, control and elimination of those conditions or situations which may have a harmful effect on social functioning. 

Examples of this function include counseling on premarital and other family problems, sex education of youth to prevent early marriage, sexual abuse; and working for the enactment of laws and policies that would help prevent abuse of women and children.

3. Developmental function - to seek out, identify and strengthen the maximum potential in individuals, groups and communities. The aim is both to help the individual make maximum use of his potentials and capacities as well as to further the effectiveness of available social or community resources. 

Examples of developmental function would include helping unemployed and underemployed breadwinners to avail themselves of opportunities for skills training while at the same time providing necessary supportive services.

Reference:
Lee-Mendoza, T. (2008) Social Welfare and Social Work. Central Book Supply

Scope of Social Work

1. Social Work provides material assistance to persons who are dependent, or in economic distress, or simply belong to the bottom level of the population.

2. It helps persons whether as individuals, families, groups or communities to adjust, to improve, and/or change for the better their economic and social environment.

3. It is concerned not only with the material or economic problems but also with the psychosocial ones, whether these problems be the cause or effect of poverty, illness or crime, or appear independently.

4. It seeks to provide the economically deprived with opportunities for improving their own economic and social situation.

5. It seeks to develop the capability of persons to participate in problem-solving and decision-making, especially in matters directly affecting them.

6. It helps them to translate their decisions into action.

7. It also works for the development of economically viable and socially developed communities and of a knowledgeable, dynamic and self-reliant citizenry imbued with a sense of nationhood.

8. It sees to it that the clientele population has access to work and employment opportunities, improved health services, and better education facilities.

9. Where there exist conditions of dire economic poverty, social injustice, violations of human rights, and human exploitation, social work must join hands with others to achieve social reform and social change.

References:
Brown, E.L. (1942). Social Work as a Profession. Arno Press
De Guzman, L.S. (1992). Introduction to Social Work. New Day Publishers

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Six Processes of the Social Work Practice

1. Social Casework helps the individual client to effect better social relationships and social adjustment that make it possible for him to lead a satisfying and useful life.
2. Social Group Work helps people to participate in the activities of a group for their intellectual, emotional, and physical growth, and for the achievement of goals considered desirable by society.
3. Community Organization is the process of planning and developing social services to meet the health and welfare needs of a community or a larger unit.
4. Social Welfare Administration is the process of directing and organizing a social agency.
5. Social Welfare Research, inquiry into the validity of the structure and methods of Social Work.
6. Social Action is the organized group process for solving general social problems and furthering social welfare objectives through legislative, social, health, and economic progress.

Social Work Practice

Social work practice refers to the activities carried out by the social worker in varied institutional settings, communities, and private practice. The social worker addresses various human problems involving individuals, families, and groups.

The generic of Social Work Practice is also known as the “The Integrated Method of Social Work Practice,” according to Thelma Lee-Mendoza. It is used in the context of professional Social Work Methodology. It is being advocated in place of the separate practice of methods of social casework, social group work, and generalist practitioner, rather than a specialist in any of those three (3) methods.

The integrated method of Social Work practice should be distinguished from “integrated programs” (or services), which denote a comprehensive agency program for multi-problem clients, usually including economic assistance, skills training, informal education, health and nutrition, family planning, and counseling. It is also different from “Integrated Learning,” which is used, for example, in relation to the student being expected to integrate knowledge from different courses and apply these in work with people. It should also be distinguished from the “Integrated Development Approach,” which is frequently used to refer to the process of joining both social, as well as economic concerns in policy formulation and progress development.