Social Work Methodology and the Basic Social Team
Social Work Methodology
The method in social work not only points out the best way forward but also the best way to achieve it. You can define the method as a systematic structure of procedures necessary to obtain a result through a process of transforming a reality or situation. This consists of:
- Knowledge: It must be known globally, to have a broad vision.
- Objectives: These must be concrete and realistic.
- Evaluation: The result of a reflective process.
All this without neglecting interdisciplinary work. There are different techniques to develop the functions of ESB (Basic Social Services). We will consider a technique as the practical knowledge that enables the rational use of certain instruments to achieve a particular result. An instrument is what we use for our work. Any instrument can be used as a technique for improvement.
Basic Techniques in Social Work
The most basic techniques are:
- Data Collection and Systematization: Should include quantitative-descriptive data (number of individuals involved, types of problems, etc.), historical data (factors that have influenced the above), attitude of people (you have to know motivations, interests, etc.), and available resources.
- Art of Planning, Organization, and Management: With three dimensions: global or general, the sectoral dimension, and specific projects and implementation of a program. Each with its objectives, resources, and agents carrying out the execution technique.
- Intervention Techniques: In the first place, we have information gathering, then the practitioner’s personal relationship with the user, group techniques, and media.
- Assessment Techniques: These are closely related to data collection and the formulation of objectives. This evaluation can be conducted in specific periods or continuously.
A systematization of instrumental materials will help us reach the stage where both are working, as the most appropriate instruments for each case. For this, there are defined areas of intervention and a methodological circuit.
Areas of Intervention
- Individual: Aspects that make up the relationship with oneself and with others, family, emotional problems, relational dynamics and socialization, and autonomy to solve their problems.
- Community Level: Refers to the demographic, occupational, socio-economic, and cultural environment in which the user or users live.
Methodological Circuit
- Establishing Referential Context: Areas for action, development of general guidelines.
- Analysis Phases of Reality: Choice of information sources, development of instruments, and analysis of existing data.
- Programming Activities: Formulation of overall objectives, specific methodological activities, timing, and progress of evaluation.
- Tracking System: Definition of the monitoring system, planned development of tools if needed, schedule compliance.
- Synthesis-Evaluation: Analysis of the data, identifying problems that hinder the goals, preparation of summary documents as the basis for new programming.
“I do what you cannot, and you do what I cannot. Together we can do great things.” – Mother Teresa of Calcutta
“Socialization occurs only when the coexistence of individuals, isolated determinants of forms of cooperation and collaboration, fall under the general concept of reciprocity.” – Georg Simmel
“Strength lies in differences, not similarities.” – Stephen Covey
Basic Social Team
The idea of multi-sector and service are two demanding terms and conditions. This adds quality and effectiveness of interventions, power detection channels, and gives a comprehensive assessment as well as continuity and follow-up.
ESB in the Spanish Context
ESB is defined in the Spanish Constitution of 1978, the Organic Law 5/82, and the Local Government Law in the CV 7/85. Historically, it has gone from being a service like a “favor” to being a right, thanks to the professionalism of the institutions themselves.
Responsibility and collaboration on tasks for the welfare of citizens are a result of constitutional changes. This is when new professionals in areas of social science intervene with and for the community. In essence, these changes have laid the foundations of primary action and have also had a history as the dismantling of large boarding schools, the Júcar River floods, and transfers made by the state to the autonomous communities.
Parallel to this, it is important to highlight the action plan for priority action in neighborhoods, the action plan for integration, and promotion plans for use, as regulated by Law 5/97. Article 11 states: “General social services form the basic structure of public social security, through the provision of integrated care and multipurpose services addressed to all people, articulated through preventive and rehabilitative care with universal and free access. These services are provided by the basic social infrastructure for both ESB.”
Interdisciplinary Teams
ESB teams are defined as interdisciplinary teams that provide services within the public social services system in municipalities and are headquartered in social centers. According to the Order of April 9, 1990, in its article 12.1, it is stipulated that this team will consist of at least one social worker and the necessary administrative support for every 10,000 inhabitants. Other figures, such as psychologists, social educators, sociocultural animators, activity guides, etc., may also be included.
The interdisciplinary work of the team is intended to reach a collective decision on how to intervene. Complementarity and responsibility of the components are prerequisites for developing the methodology of action.
Developing an Interdisciplinary Approach
For the development of this interdisciplinary approach, individualistic attitudes must be modified, and teamwork, collaboration between institutions, adequate training for understanding all professional roles, equality of status among professionals, job security, and an organizational structure consistent with this intervention must be fostered.
Functions of ESB
ESB functions are regulated in Order 9/90, Article 12.2. They are:
- Identifying the needs of the target area.
- Informing, advising, and guiding on the rights, obligations, and remedies available.
- Managing and resolving referrals to specialized social services.
- Promoting preventive services.
- Establishing coordination among professionals and organizations.
- Implementing intervention programs in the community.
Programs and Services
These functions are developed through the programs outlined in Article 12 of Law 5/97 and are:
- Information, guidance, and advice service.
- Home help service, ensuring the permanence of the person in their family.
- Social cooperation programs.
- Programs of social coexistence and social reintegration.
- Recreational and leisure programs.
- Prevention programs.
The public social services system, or the community at the local level, is located in centers that are versatile, with human, professional, technical, and material resources to perform the functions described above.