International Journal of Research and Innovation in Social Science (IJRISS) | Volume VI, Issue VII, July 2022 | ISSN 2454–6186
Level of competencies of students in the primary methods of social work practice
Jocelyn T. Gaas
Western Mindanao State University, Zamboanga City 7000, Philippines
Abstract. This study aimed to determine the level of competencies of students in the primary methods of social work as taught in the classroom and in actual practice. This research is a descriptive-evaluative study using a quantitative approach, employing survey questionnaires, to gather data and analyzed using descriptive statistics. The respondents of this study were the 9 agency supervisors and 11 faculty supervisors supervising the 285 social work students placed in social welfare agencies for SY 2017-2018. Findings revealed that students’ level of competency in the social work helping process using the primary methods of casework, group work, and community organization is in the apprentice level. These findings purport that social work students demonstrate adequate competence, knowledge, skills, good attitudes, and working habits and can work with less supervision while placed in social welfare agencies.
Keywords: Social work primary methods, level of competencies, social work students, agency supervisors, social welfare agencies
I. INTRODUCTION
The profession of social work in the Philippines was formally recognized cognizant or pursuant to the passing of Republic Act 4373 also known as the ‘Social Work Law’. Along this line, the Bachelor of Science in Social Work (BSSW) is a college course or an undergraduate program that prepares college graduates for direct generalist practice of social work towards individuals, families, groups, and communities. The profession is geared toward advancing the growth and empowerment of people, developing the social progress of communities towards greater justice and equality amongst individuals and societies where– oppression, discrimination, and marginalization of individuals, families, groups, and communities exist.
In an era where social development issues, challenges and responses are interconnected globally, the social work profession has become a global profession. Accordingly, the social work profession in the Philippines integrates internationally benchmarked outcomes without ignoring the particularities and priorities of the national situation. These international outcomes are contained in the document “Global Standards for the Education and training of social work Profession” which was adopted in the General Assemblies of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) in Adelaide Australia in 2004.
The focal point of the BSSW Program is the global definition of social work that was adopted in July 2014. It was hinged on the idea that “Social Work is a practice-based