Assignment Code: BSW-125/TMA/2022-23

Course Code: BSW-125

Assignment Name: Social Case Work and Social Group Work

Year: 2022-2023

Verification Status: Verified by Professor

Answer any five of the following questions in about 300 words each. 20x5

Q1) Explain the historical development of case work in India.

Ans) Indian culture and religion stress the importance of aiding the needy and underprivileged. Additionally, it is customary for skilled people to offer assistance and support to others. As an illustration, during the start of the Mahabharata battle, Arjun received guidance and help from Krishna. The Hindu Shastras also placed a strong focus on giving, whether it be in the form of money, wisdom, or knowledge.

In Buddhism, family members and friends should receive assistance. Alms were provided to the State and used for the benefit of the poor in Islam by the fortunate. In India, Christian missionaries also initiated initiatives to aid the underprivileged. However, these initiatives were paternalistic in nature and did not work toward fostering the person's independence. Furthermore, in these cases, the relationship was not a professional one. Therefore, there is a significant distinction between current professional casework and conventional aiding of those in need.

In India, training volunteers who participated in charitable and aid efforts served as the foundation for social worker education. N.M. Joshi founded the Social Service League in Mumbai in 1911. This league held training sessions for volunteers who assisted individuals affected by famines, epidemics, floods, and other natural catastrophes as well as for those who ran charity programmes for the underprivileged and poor. The American School of Social Work trained the first licenced social workers who handled cases in Indian contexts.

In order to provide training to those who already had a university degree in the subject of social service, Sir Dorabjee Tata Graduate School of Social Work, currently known as Tata Institute of Social Science, was founded in 1936. As a result, the training for social work was transformed into a full-time educational programme with a career focus. The academic programme first included casework as a theoretical course and a way of practise in 1946.

Social casework was initially utilised by only a small number of agencies and institutions, but it is now utilised by numerous agencies, institutions, and organisations, including hospitals, clinics, courts, businesses, military organisations, family welfare agencies, child welfare agencies, institutions for the elderly, the poor, and orphans, among others.

Q2) Discuss the stages of social group work practice.

Ans) A social work group goes through a variety of stages or phases throughout its establishment. Group organisation and planning, the initial meetings, the working phase, the utilisation of activities and action, and group dissolution were the topics covered by Ken Heap. There are five stages, according to Douglas: conceptualization, creation, operation, termination, and evaluation.

While Toseland and Rivas discussed the stages under the headings of planning phase, beginning phase, middle phase, and concluding phase, he has considered these as the functions of a leader. We can categorise the stages of social group work practise into the following five categories for our purposes:

1. Pre-Group (Group Formation) Phase

2. Initial (First Meetings) Phase

3. Middle (Active Working) Phase

4. Evaluation of the group

5. Terminating/Ending the Group Phase

The worker recognises the need for group organisation and starts the process of forming the group during the pre-group phase. The worker and group members meet during the initial phase at the agency's designated location or another location where the group is likely to hold meetings. There, they receive an initial introduction to the group's goal as well as other information that is shared and supplied.

The group continues to discuss and work toward its objectives during the middle phase, and during the evaluation phase, the effectiveness of the group is assessed in relation to its objectives and the objectives of its members. The group is forced to disband at the closing or termination phase, and the worker enables the participants to part ways amicably.

Q3) Describe the role of the person, problem, place, and process in effective case work process.

Ans) In social case work, a social worker assists a person who needs assistance with day-to-day functioning issues. This approach takes into account both the social and psychological facets of a person's existence. The Ps, or parts of a case, consist of the following four things:

The Person

Any person who is stressed out or dealing with problems in their life qualifies as the person. The individual may be a man, woman, or young child. In the language of social work, the subject is referred to as the "client." The individual may experience issues as a result of his or her failure to adapt to the current environment, which was brought about by causes beyond of their control. The nature of this issue may be social, economic, or psychological. An individual typically uses solutions from his or her prior experiences to try to tackle a problem when it arises.

The individual or customer has a number of unmet demands, worries, and issues. These issues are specific to his or her circumstance. Because each person is different and has a certain set of social and cultural circumstances in which to exist, each person has different social experiences. In addition, the individual participates in social interactions, shares human traits, and engages in a variety of interactions with other individuals. The individual stands out from all other members of his or her family or culture.

The Problem

An issue is an impediment to someone's ability to conduct themselves normally. Unmet needs, poor adaptations, and disappointments are frequently the causes of problems. Unmet needs or frustrations take on the form of difficulties when they persist for an extended length of time and begin to affect how an individual interacts with others. Intrapersonal issues consequently result from unfulfilled wants and desires of the person, which have an impact on their quality of life or the success of their efforts to address it.

The Place

The location where the client seeks assistance with their issue is a social service organisation or department. A larger institution or a more localised social work microcosm might be considered places. Place may also refer to the organisations where caseworkers work.

Q4) Explain the barriers which can hamper the smooth process of interviewing.

Ans) There are several communication obstacles that can obstruct an interview process. These can make it possible for the interviewer to misinterpret your precisely constructed responses. If we don't talk about the traits that a caseworker has to possess in order to be a successful practitioner, our discussion of skills will fall short.

1. The act of feeling with another person is referred to as "empathy," as opposed to feeling for or toward them as in sympathy. Empathy is "the process of recognising, comprehending, experiencing, and responding to the emotional condition and thoughts of another person," according to Baker.

2. Rogers claims that exhibiting unqualified positive regard is what he means by "respect." No matter a client's social standing, economic standing, or other characteristics, the caseworker should treat them all with respect.

3. Hamund, Hapuer, and Smith define authenticity as the act of sharing oneself while acting in a way that is natural, sincere, spontaneous, honest, real, open, and non-defensive. Genuine people have personal connections with others, which prevents expressions from appearing forced or contrived.

4. A caseworker needs to be at least somewhat self-aware in order to effectively use oneself to help others. The caseworker must engage in a process of "self-exploration and self-discovery" in order to "know themselves."

5. Self-awareness must come before self-control and self-discipline. The caseworker could experience emotional exhaustion as a result of a challenging, stressful, upsetting, or provocative circumstance. But extreme restraint must be exercised.

6. Understanding the morals and ideals of social work: Caseworkers must constantly be mindful of professional ethics and obligations because they apply to almost every aspect of one's professional life.

7. A caseworker working without professional training is similar to a painter painting without a brush. A solid understanding of a variety of subjects, such as social concerns, human behaviour theory and research, social problems, and the application of social work theory and principles, is necessary for effectiveness. The caseworker must remain knowledgeable and up to date with industry advancements.

8. Responsible assertiveness is the capacity to communicate information, ideas, and feelings properly while simultaneously respecting the rights and preferences of others as unique and valuable human beings. It includes your ability and manner of speaking without minimising either your own or the client's dignity in order to convey your knowledge, opinions, authority, and professional and personal power.

Q5) Discuss the qualities of a successful leader.

Ans) Given that a strong leader must possess a variety of traits, it may not be possible to determine which trait, "X," is the greatest. Every leader has a certain trait that must simultaneously be developed to fit the needs of the group, the circumstances, and the group's goals. A leader learns from his or her mistakes and advances.

A few characteristics that make a leader are listed below:

1. Good Communicator: A good communicator makes for an effective leader. A group leader may explain the goals of the group in clear, understandable words through effective verbal and writing communication. A group leader with effective speaking and listening abilities may also accept suggestions or opinions, which fosters a supportive environment for group work.

2. Organised: A disciplined group leader instils order within the group and increases the chances for each member to participate in positive reinforcement.

3. Team Worker: A person with confidence is a group leader. He or she collaborates with the other group members and has faith in their abilities and potential. He or she consults with the other group members before making a choice and does not act alone.

4. Recognise the Value of Group Members: A group leader respects the opinions of his followers. He or she believes in the potential of each and every member of the group and maintains a non-judgmental attitude toward them.

5. Delegate Responsibilities: Good leaders are adept at distributing their authority through delegation. The group leader can concentrate on enhancing group harmony and achieving group goals by delegating responsibilities to group members.

6. Good Facilitator: A group leader facilitates discussions by assisting participants in identifying their shared objectives. Effective storm-resolution skills and the establishment of group norms with the group members are other traits of a competent group leader.

7. Humble: One of the qualities that makes an effective group leader is humility. Good leaders are able to accept criticism as a chance to improve and to admit when they are mistaken. Such a quality will assist the employee in upholding a friendly atmosphere with the other group members.