Finaflor F. Taylan University of the Philippines Open

Finaflor F. Taylan University of the Philippines Open University Competency Needs and Observed Societal and Practice Realities of Development and Social Workers: Implications to Social Work Education in the Philippines in the era of ASEAN integration

Research Objectives To identify competency needs of development/social workers in terms of knowledge, skills, attitudes To examine the practice realities of the Social Work profession and societal realities or conditions (including gender issues) that professionals face To identify bridges and gaps between the Social Work education and competency needs of development/social workers and practice and societal realities To develop recommendations on how Social Work education would appropriately respond to the practitioners’ competency needs and Social Work practice and societal realities

Framework

Results/ Findings

Practice Setting: Local government social welfare agency Well compensated at work but not enjoying the allowances and privileges stipulated in Magna Carta good working relationship; presence of co-employees who are difficult to handle or relate with because of attitude problem Poor Management few technical staff; non social workers in social work positions low budget for social welfare programs and services Politics Overwhelming workload

Clients served Clients/ Communities Served Families Conditions or Problems In difficult situation Programs and Services Assistance to (member of the family Individual in Crisis is sick and Situation (AICS) hospitalized) Victims of disaster Emergency Relief and Rehabilitation Low income (below poverty level Livelihood projects Assist DSWD monitor SLP and 4Ps beneficiaries

Senior ID provision for benefit/ entitlements Citizens Burial Assistance by virtue of SP Ordinance #93 Assistance to Provincial Federation of SC (meeting, Women Low income and celebrations) Shelter based program Case management Empowerment Livelihood Assistance participation Assistance to Provincial Federation VAW of Women Associations (capability building, women’s month celebration, honorarium, provincial meeting

OSY Assistance to Provincial Federation (capability building) Children Abused children (CNSP) Psychosocial intervention ECCD/Day care service – augmentation for honorarium of CICL day care workers, capability 3-4 yrs old building of day care workers and municipal counterparts, day care projects-construction/rehab of center, provision of indoor/outdoor facilities. Shelter based program

Practice setting: humanitarian organization Always on the go Strict HR policies Risks at work especially during emergencies Fast turn over of staff

Clients served: Families and communities Conditions poor health access to programs and services; and poor disaster preparedness Community/government politics Programs Disaster management Sanitation and water facilities

Practice Setting: International organization Work conditions Good remuneration; international employees which are often difficult to deal with; knowledge and skills in programme management is a must

Clients served: women Reproductive Health; Humanitarian, Population and Development, Gender/Gender based violence

Practice setting: Auspice Clients/ Communities Served Conditions or Problems Terminally – Suffering of patient from ill patients too much pain Programs and Services Hospice and palliative care Patient’s non-acceptance of Counseling services and conditions spiritual care Lack or limited knowledge Counseling services in coping with the medical condition Suicidal tendencies of Counseling services some patients provided by volunteer psychologist/psychiatrist Spiritual care

Non-acceptance of Family counseling services family members of the patient’s condition and lack of knowledge in handling the patient’s illness Financial problem to Referral to PCSO and other institutions support medical needs Financial assistance from the organization’s volunteers and other concerned citizens Provision of medicines (if available in the stocks) Provision of free morphine as recommended and provided by the DOH as pain reliever for terminal cancer patients Provision of medical equipment Free medical check-ups and monitoring by

Grieving and After care Depression of services--- family members Individual after the counseling patient’s death and support group sessions

Field/ Setting Work conditions HOSPITAL - exposure to infection SETTING - stress due to long hours of work and lack of (outside the social life as women are not free or too tired to Philippines) go out - complete and high-tech facilities with free personal protective equipment INTL - need to adapt to different cultures FOREIGN - need to learn their language and communicate SETTING well - discrimination as Philippines being a 3rd world country and has different religion and culture

Practice setting: hospital in other country Clients/ Conditions or Problems Programs and Communities Served Services Healthcare - overworked workers - dispensable/can easily be - free medical replaced by Saudis - unfair salary scale - non-tax income coverage - free housing & transpo Local from - lazy and dependent - loyalty to supervisor Receiving country - if they like you; they feel like owning you and you will not be allowed to transfer work Migrant filipinos - regionalism; family dynasties; crab mentality - community work and organizing

Practice setting: Human Relations/ HR HR concerns Trade/ labor unions: collective bargaining agreement Role performance of staff Programs: trainings, counseling, referral

Practice Setting: Environment Conditions: Destruction of environmental resources Lack of venue for people’s participation Programs Community-based Resource Management Advocacy Capacity building Livelihood

Practice/ Field Setting: Academe Work Conditions values interpersonal relationship and provides access to additional learning Salary Lack of Participation in decision making Limited Library resources and facilities Policies on curriculum not implemented

Clients Served Students Problems: bullying, early pregnancy, time management, failing grades, study habits Programs: Academic counseling, referral

Other problems/ realities Worsening poverty situations and manifestations Peace and order – insurgency – resulted to rise in number of internally displaced families – livelihoods of rural folks are affected climate change and natural/ humanmade calamities

Competency Needs Skills on clinical setting: case management Social marketing, networking and linkaging Planning, programming, monitoring and evaluation Disaster management Community organizing; community based approaches Advocacy People skills Oral and writing skills Critical thinking/ analysis skills

Conflict management/ peace building International relations Intergovernmental approach to provision of social services Migrant workers’ plight vis-à-vis other countries’ context/situation Cultural competency Higher sense of self awareness and genuine acceptance of the needs of others Hardwork and dedication

Recommendations to acquire competencies Exposure to clinical setting & cultural practices in other countries Updating of SW curriculum: theories to understand people’s behavior, integrate law, policies, business models; exposure to international practice Participation to Trainings; continuing education More researches on SW practice and clients

POLICIES, STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES FOR THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE IN SOCIAL WORK “shift to learning competency-based standards/ outcomes-based education.” Preparation for generalist social work practice acquisition and application of beginning level of knowledge, attitudes, values and skills in enhancing the social functioning of individuals, families, groups, and communities, linking people [client systems] with needed resources, improving the operation of social service delivery networks, and promoting social justice through organizing and advocacy micro to macro practice continuum, focusing on human development and social transformation

integrates internationally benchmarked outcomes (based on 2014 global definition) without ignoring the particularities and priorities of the national situation Integrates Specific Professions/careers/occupations or Trades

Program Outcomes (SW specific) Demonstrate knowledge, skills, and attitudes in engaging in a generalist helping process and planned change process for therapeutic, protective, preventive, and transformative purposes. Analyze critically the origin, development, and purposes of social work in the Philippines. Critique the impacts of global and national socio-structural inadequacies, discrimination, and oppression on quality of life. Apply knowledge of human behavior and social environment with emphasis on the person-insituation dynamic for social work assessment and intervention.

Critique social welfare policies, programs, and services of the locality, country and /or region in terms of relevance, responsiveness, accessibility and availability to target populations. Engage in advocacy work to promote socio-economic and cultural rights and well-being. Generate resources for networking and partnership development. Identify with the social work profession and conduct oneself in accordance with social work values and ethical principles.

Engage in social work practices that promote diversity and difference in client systems. Use supervision to develop critical selfreflective practice for personal and professional growth. Produce a portfolio of recordings, case studies and other social work documentation to reflect the quality and progress of practice

Conclusion Competency needs and practice realities are captured in the policies, standards and guidelines (PSG) for Social Work PSG captures generalist nature of Social Work and the realities

Implications/ Recommendations Need to strengthen exposure to international settings, standards, and contexts Emphasis on exposure and study on the “new normal”: disaster, climate change, peace work, emerging concepts/ perspectives Exposure to and opportunities for multidisciplinary nature of work Preparations for personality development and character building are necessary