ABSTRACT
This chapter concentrates on the concept of 'need' and its usefulness or otherwise in elucidating some typical social work dilemmas. In fairness to social workers, the author should stress that the examples are not intended to be typical of social work practice – let alone 'good' social work practice – merely to illustrate conflicts which seem to relate to general moral problems. In making decisions on matters one requires rules-of-thumb about how to relate probability and outcome, the procedure to be followed when needs conflict, the importance to be given to requirements of universality, and the obligations as well as the needs inherent in different social roles. There was a conflict between Mrs O'Kelly and the social workers. Mrs O'Kelly did not like the social workers visiting. A further source of conflict in the O'Kelly case was that between the needs of the different family members and within the family members themselves.
