Chapter 3 Social Work Practice in the

New Millennium

Evolution of Social Work • Social functioning and change – fundamental

hallmarks• Early participants were multidisciplined• Development as a distinctive vocation and

profession• Influence of social and economic changes, as well

as other forces such as mental health thinking and psychological theory

• Development as a contextual profession – influenced by internal and external forces

Social Work Practice

• Purpose: To enhance, maintain, and restore social functioning and promote social justice

• Levels of practice: Micro, mezzo, macro• Profession’s shared values – a foundation to

social work process• Code of ethics – a guide for practice and

resolve of ethical issues• Key models: Biopsychosocial and person-in-

environment

Methods of Social Work Practice

• Social Casework

• Generalist Practice

• Clinical Social Work

• Group Work

Macro Practice

• Community Organization

• Social Planning

• Policy Practice

• Social Administration and Management

Fields of PracticeThe Breadth of Social Work

• Exemplify social work’s breadth of practice

• Advocacy• Behavioral health

services• Child welfare• Criminal justice• Education• Emergency/disaster

• Families, couples, singles

• Gerontology• Immigrant/refugee• Military• Policy/legislation• Research• Vocational

rehabilitation