Top 4 Function of Social Work - Curative, Correctional, Preventive, and Developmental Function

(caps)The function of social work refers to the natural activity of social work or the statements of how social work operates. According to Prof. PD. Mishra “Social Work operates to assist individuals in adjusting to the institutional frame work of the society and attempts to modify the institutional frame work itself in appropriate areas.” He classified the functions of social work into the following 4 major categories:

(toc) #title=(Table of content)

1. Curative Function

The term “Curative Function of Social Work” generally refers to the role of social work in helping individuals, families, or communities to overcome difficulties, recover from trauma, or resolve issues that impede their well-being. This function is focused on healing, whether it be emotional, psychological, or social in nature.

getButton) #text=(Social Work Material) #icon=(demo)(getButton) #text=(Social Casework) #icon=(demo)(getButton) #text=(Social Group Work) #icon=(demo)(getButton) #text=(Community Organization) #icon=(demo)(getButton) #text=(Teaching Job) #icon=(demo)(getButton) #text=(Assistant Professor Jobs) #icon=(demo)

The services provided under curative functions are–medical and health services, services relating to psychiatry, child guidance, child welfare services, services for the handicapped or disable in the form of protection and rehabilitation. These kinds of services aim to cure the physical, social, material, psychological sickness of individuals in the society.

Social workers in curative roles often engage in therapeutic practices, counseling, case management, and other interventions aimed at addressing personal problems like mental health issues, addiction, relationship difficulties, and more. The goal is to restore or improve the individual’s or group’s capacity to function effectively in society. This concept is closely tied to Clinical Social Work, which emphasizes assessment, diagnosis, and treatment.

2. Correctional Function

It refers to the role that social workers play in addressing and rehabilitating individuals within the criminal justice system. This function involves working with offenders, ex-offenders, and those at risk of offending to prevent recidivism, facilitate their reintegration into society, and promote positive behavior change. Social workers in this capacity provide services such as:

1. Counseling and therapy to address underlying issues such as substance abuse, mental health problems, or trauma.

2. Case management and advocacy, helping individuals access resources like education, employment opportunities, and housing.

3. Rehabilitation programs, including anger management, life skills training, and vocational training.

The correctional function of social work foster social reintegration and reduce the likelihood of re-offending by helping individuals develop the skills and supports necessary for a stable, productive life. This is integral to both community safety and the personal well-being of those involved in the justice system.

The correctional function of social work has three broad areas, such as:

a) Individual reform service which includes prison reform, probation, parole and other related services.

b) Services for improving social relationship which includes family welfare services, school social work, industrial social work etc.

c) Services for social reform that includes employment services, prevention of commercial sex work, beggary prohibition services and removal of untouchability etc. (alert-success)

3. Preventive Function

It refers to the proactive efforts made by social workers to prevent social, psychological, and economic problems before they escalate or become more serious. This function focuses on identifying potential risks or challenges individuals, families, or communities might face and intervening early to reduce or eliminate these risks. Preventive social work aims to promote well-being, strengthen coping mechanisms, and create a supportive environment through education, advocacy, and early interventions, thereby reducing the need for more intensive or remedial services later on. Examples include public health campaigns, community outreach programs, and early childhood education.

Additionally, it includes life insurance services, public assistance, social legislation, adult education and prevention of diseases etc. This type of function basically deals with the services relating to the prevention of problems like insecurity, unlawfulness, ignorance, sickness etc. It is directed towards the elimination of those factors in the social environment or those deficiencies in the development of personality that prevents the individual from achieving a minimum desirable standard of socio-economic life.

4. Developmental Function

Developmental function includes the tasks of socio-economic development activities such as: education, recreational services, urban and rural development programmes and programmes of integration etc which are primarily concerned with the development of individuals, families, groups and communities. The basic functions of social work can be divided in 3 broad interdependent and interrelated categories, viz;

Restoration of social functioning

The restoration of impaired social functioning is the oldest and most commonly known function of social work profession. This function is subdivided into curative and rehabilitative aspects. The curative aspects are to eliminate environmental factors that have caused break down of social functioning of individuals, groups or communities and the role of the rehabilitative aspects is to recognize and rebuild interaction patterns in the society.

Provision of resources

Provision of Resources is further subdivided into developmental and educational. The developmental aspects are designed to extend effectiveness of existing social, human and material resources or to bring about full utilization personal capacity for more social interaction. The educational functions are designed to make the public aware about specific conditions and needs for new and changing resources and approaches.

Prevention of social dysfunction.

The prevention of social dysfunction involves early detection, control and elimination of conditions and situations that could obstruct effective social functioning. Its two main divisions are preventions of problems in the area of;

1. Human interaction (individuals and groups) and secondly, 

2. Prevention of social ills.

Although it is a very important function of social work, it is neglected in most situations. Social work has generally concentrated on the curative and rehabilitative function and has worked on the problem-solving model.

Lastly, the function of social work is to promote social change, solve problems in human relationships, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Social workers address social and economic injustices, provide support during crises, and empower people to improve their lives. Their work involves advocating for social policies, offering counseling, connecting individuals to resources, and working with vulnerable populations to improve their quality of life and achieve their potential.