Social Work

Social Work is a profession that focuses on helping individuals, families, groups, and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal problems but also with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment, and domestic violence.

History

The profession of social work has a relatively modern and scientific origin, and is generally considered to have developed out of three strands. The first was individual casework, a strategy pioneered by the Charity Organization Society in the mid-19th century, which was founded by Helen Bosanquet and Octavia Hill in London, England. Most historians identify Bosanquet and Hill as pioneers of the social theory that led to the creation of social work as a professional occupation.

Roles and functions

Social workers perform a broad spectrum of roles such as clinical (therapy), case management (linking clients with agencies and programs that will meet their psychosocial needs), counseling (psychotherapy), human services management, social welfare policy analysis, community organizing, advocacy, teaching (in schools of social work), and social science research.

Education and training

In most jurisdictions, social workers are required to have a bachelor's degree in social work (BSW) to enter the field. A Master of Social Work (MSW) is typically required for positions in health settings, and is required for clinical work as well. Some jobs require a doctorate degree in social work (DSW or PhD), but this is not a requirement for all jobs.

Professional associations

There are a number of associations that support and promote the profession of social work. These include the National Association of Social Workers, the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), and the British Association of Social Workers (BASW).

See also

• Clinical social work
• Community practice
• Mental health professional
• Social work with groups
• Social services

External links

• International Federation of Social Workers
• National Association of Social Workers

Social Work Resources
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