The base of social work: Relationship, client, evidence or values?

Abstract

Social work requires a critical and reflective understanding of its roots, foundations and rationale in order to have a collective orientation to practice. This is why we try to look into the bases of social work in the journal. After conducting review and reflection over our observation and experience, the bases of social work practice can be summarized into four categories, namely, (1) relationship-based, (2) client-based, (3) evidence-based and (4) value-based. First, social work practice builds on different kinds of relationships, from intra-personal, inter-personal, intra-organizational, inter-organizational to international. It signifies the different levels of social work practice, from micro to mezzo and then to macro as well as from local to global. In the process of social work intervention, relationship is the media between the social worker and the client. Through this media, the change efforts can be achieved as it inspires hope and sustains dreams. On some occasions, the relationship between the client and significant others (or systems) may be the target of the change effort. Relationship is fluid, but concrete, and it is difficult to define but easy to identify. Communication is the expression for maintenance and enhancement of a helping relationship. Genuine care and concern are the core of a relationship. It is not only a philosophical and professional orientation, but also a personal commitment. This explains why the social work relationship is one of the major bases of social work practice.