EFFICIENCY IN SOCIAL-WORK-PRACTICE AND ADMINISTRATION

Efficiency is a fundamentally misunderstood concept. Efficiency is det ermined by the relationship; between the outcomes that programs produc e and the costs that ave incurred in achieving such outcomes. Programs that are both effective and have low costs are the most efficient. Cu tting the budget of a program may lead to less, not move, efficiency W hen social work practitioners and managers understand the true meaning of efficiency, effective strategies for improvement can be developed. The structure of the service delivery system should encourage and rew ard the efficient production of social services.