By Asst. Prof. Jinu

Abraham

Early Beginnings 1843, Association for Improving the Condition

of the Poor – formed in America Aims:

* visit poor at homes* give counsel* assist poor in obtaining employment* instill feelings of self-respect and self-reliance* inculcate habits of economy * when absolutely necessary provide relief

Exploratory & Disciplinary Stage 1877, American Charity Organization

Society – established in America Aim: Find out ways and means of

helping the poor and needy – i.e. to organize individualized service

Volunteers called ‘Friendly Visitors’ Activities: Assessment of Needs, Central

Registration, Recording, Relief Giving

Contd…

1898, Professional School of Social Work – established in New York

Indicator of:

* large body of knowledge and skills

* need felt for better trained professionals

Contd… 1914-1917, Term “work with case” used for

the first time in a national conference in USA

First training programme in the form of summer training for Casework held - based on a medical model

Impact: Need for substantial training identified and schools of social work attached to the agencies come into existence

Contd…

1917, First book of Casework, “Social Diagnosis” published by Mary Richmond

Miss Richmond and Francis McLean, offer specialized service to clients and bring out ‘Social Casework Journal’ of Family Service Association

Psycho-social Stage First World War, Medical and Psychiatric

social workers become popular Psychoanalytical theory by Freud gains

momentum 1925, Milford Conference – Casework

conceived as developing the capacity of the client

Several schools of thought based on the theory of Sigmund Freud and Otto Rank developed

Sociological Stage 1930, Economic Depression Casework realizes that economic factors can

cause emotional disaster and breakdown Extreme socio-economic need refocuses

attention on sociological and reality consideration

Outcome of Depression: Establishment of governmental public assistant programmes, like, emergency relief, work progress administration, public work administration and civilian conservation corporation

Relieves voluntary agencies from the task of providing economic help

Integrated Stage

Second World War - increase in personal problems due to financial crises and emotional stress

Family Agencies (Private Pracise) – started to solve these problems

1960s, increased stress on research Past overemphasis on either

environment or personality give way to awareness of interdependence