Underline the assumptions of social work in the context of corrections.

In correction, Social Work not only helps individuals, groups and community to solve problems, but also assists them to prevent offending behaviour and enrich daily living. So, the main focus of the social worker is upon helping people to prevent and control crime.

The underlying assumptions of social work in the context of corrections are:

Social Work, has problem solving functions and hence, it can help offenders in their treatment and rehabilitation.

Social Work practice is an art with a scientific and value foundation and, hence, correctional work is professional in nature.

Social Work as a line of work came into being and continued to develop because it meets human needs and aspirations recognized by society. Hence, it assumes some of the socialization and control functions of society and helps the offenders to reshape their behaviour.

Social Work values are not necessarily or altogether those universally or predominantly held or practiced in society and hence, it emphasizes in treatment and rehabilitation of the offender.

• Tested knowledge,
• Hypothetical knowledge that requires transformation into tested knowledge, and
• Assumptive knowledge (or “Practice wisdom”) that requires transformation into hypothetical and then into tested knowledge.

The scientific base of social work consists of three types of knowledge.

The knowledge desirable for social work practice is determined by its goals and functions and the problems it seeks to solve.

The internalization of professional information and values is a vital characteristic of the professional social worker, since he helps the offender to change his behaviour.

Professional skill have his artistic creation, ensuing from three internal processes: first, mindful selection of knowledge relevant to the professional task at hand in order to help the offender, second, blend of this, knowledge with social work and correctional values and third, the expression of this blend in ably relevant activity to administer correction and to alter offending behaviour.

These assumptions constitute commitments for the social worker. It also means that the functions assigned to social effort by society represent a two-fold responsibility. The first is to determine the professional activities through which it seeks to reach its socially approved goals and modify them as necessary in the light of change social needs. The second is to put into effect discipline and control over practice that would keep its professional accountability.