Last Updated on November 26, 2023 by Team TSW

In the past, States used to work as an authority to provide justice to the masses and collect taxes to keep the affairs of state going.  Another major function of the states was “law and order”, they worked as police-state. As the time progressed, things started to change considerably, now the majority of states work as a ‘welfare state’. Their focus is to make social policies keeping the poor and destitute in mind. Social welfare administration is a medium to turn these social policies into reality.

Social Welfare Administration Concept

Most important development of the 20th century is the emergence of democratic state. Modern governments now have increased functions and responsibilities in the form of welfare. Democracy has changed the role of government. Instead of the police state, the government now focuses more on welfare of the masses. Welfare includes social, economic and political wellbeing of its citizens. It can be in terms of money or services. Cash payments, subsidies, concessions, grants and public distribution come under the term welfare. All these welfare measures amount to the redistribution of governmental revenue to the needy.

To realize this role, the government formulates policies for the welfare of the weaker and vulnerable section of society. Formulation of policies is just one part, to turn these policies into reality, successful implementation is way more important than formulation. Successful implementation requires dissemination of policies, better coordination between the beneficiaries and public administration, leakage proof delivery channel, good coverage and punishment for those indulged in corrupt practices. Today, the concept of ‘welfare states’ has redefined the very meaning of democracy. 

Social Welfare Administration Meaning

It embedded twin concepts. One is social welfare and the other is administration. Thus it is important to have an understanding of what is welfare and its origin along with administration as a medium to achieve welfare.

Welfare and its origin

Concept of welfare is not new to society. In olden days, the need to help the poor and needy was stressed by major religions. In western countries, Churches were considered as protector of the poor, orphans, widows and the sick. Priest told people to give alms to receive the grace of god. In Indian sub-continent oldest literature Rig-veda encourages charity by saying “May the one who gives, shine the most”. Other literature works like Upnishad prescribed that every household must practice charity and Gita insists that the privileged class has a moral duty to serve the poor.

Later when the church failed to provide a permanent solution to the problem, responsibility of the poor was shifted to the government. 

Legislation enacted in UK

• Elizabethan poor law was introduced in 1601
• Poor law commission.
• Meals Act
• Education Act
• National Insurance Act.
• Disabled Persons(Employment) Act.

Work in USA

• Charity Organisation Society.
• Settlement House Movement
• Child Welfare Movement
• Social Action

Work In India

• Bengal Sati Regulation 1829
• Widow Remarriage Act 1856
• The Child Marriage Restraint Act, 1929
• Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Welfare over the time has just changed the hand, not the end. Individuals directly or through their organizations are still doing the welfare activities but the major responsibility to bring the marginalized people out of the clutches of poverty lies with the government. Formulation of welfare policy is only the half task, the major part is implementation. Administration of formulated policies is a very important task and requires expertise.

Public Administration

Administration means the “management of affairs” or “looking after the people”. It is concerned with proper organisation of men and material to achieve desired ends. It consists of doing the work or getting the work done by others.

For better administration, one requires not merely devotion, dedication and administrative efficiency but method, organization and adequate knowledge of budgeting, accounting, public relation etc. The spending of money involved transparency, accountability and responsibility.

☰    D. Waldo

“Public administration is the art and science of management applied to the affairs of the state.”

From the above definition given by D. Waldo, we can conclude that public administration is that species of administration that operates within a specific political setting. It is an instrument for translating political decisions into reality.

☰     Nigro and Nigro have identified the following five important characteristics of public administration

1. It is a cooperative group effort in a public setting.
2. It covers all three branches – Legislative, Executive and Judicial and their inter-relations.
3. It has an important role in the formulation of public policy, and thus a part of the political process.
4. It is different in significant ways from private administration.
5. It is closely associated with numerous private groups and individuals in providing services to the community.

Social Welfare Administration

Now we know the basics of welfare and administration. We can move ahead to understand how social welfare administration as a social work method works. A voluntary agency will be more effective in providing social welfare services to the community, if workers of the agency have knowledge of welfare measures, administration and finances. These mentioned skills are studied under the broad term social welfare administration. It is one of the six basic methods of social work practice namely Case work, Group work, Community organization, Social action, Social research and Social welfare administration.

Social welfare administration imbibes professional skills and competence which helps attain desired goals. Method involves knowledge and skills from two domains. Administration deals with the knowledge of techniques of planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating and budgeting. Welfare deals with knowledge of the subject matter of the particular programme and the field in which these techniques are applied. This method is known for transforming social policy into reality.

Social Welfare Administration Definition

Welfare unfolded in different countries at different times and mainly on the basis of geographical needs and concerns. Thus the definition of welfare varies from country to country and from time to time. Some of the definitions are :-

☰    John C Kidneigh

“Social work administration is the process of transforming social policy into social services It is a two-way process: 1) transforming policy into concrete social services, and 2) the use of experience in recommending modification of policy”

☰    Arthur Dunham

“It is a process of supporting or facilitating activities which are necessary and incidental to the giving of direct service by a social agency. Administrative activities range from the determination of function and policies, and executive leadership to routine operations such as keeping records and accounts and carrying on maintenance services.”

☰    Friedlander

“Administration of social agencies translates the provisions of social legislation and the aims of private philanthropy and religious charities into the dynamics of services and benefits of humanity.”

☰    Tead

“Administration is the process of direction, oversight, coordination and stimulation in an agency designed to carry out some agreed purpose with economy and effectiveness in the means employed (material and personnel) and with all possible regard for the claims of the individuals involved.”

☰    Harleigh Trecker

“social work administration is a process of working with people in ways that release and relate their energies so that they use all available resources to accomplish the purpose of providing needed community services and programs.”

Conclusion

To achieve the aims of social welfare, the government formulates social policies and programs and enacts social legislation, allocates financial assistance and provides organizational and administrative linkages in the form of ministries and departments. It also seeks the partnership from non-governmental organizations for the effective implementation of various social welfare programs. Social welfare administration is a process through which social policy is transformed Into social services. It involves the administration of public and private agencies.