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Definition [edit]

Social work is a broad profession that intersects with several disciplines. Social work organizations offer the following definitions:

"Concern is a feeling of something being wrong. All feelings and behaviors have meaning, and a person fulfills need by their behavior. The social work to behaviors of concern for self and others is a process that involves identifying need and discovering alternate ways to fulfill that need so that any individuals need IS met."

“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing."^[6] International Federation of Social Workers

"Social work is a profession concerned with 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." -^[7] Canadian Association of Social Workers

Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in legislative processes. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social and economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors."-^[8] National Association of Social Workers

"Social workers work with individuals and families to help improve outcomes in their lives. This may be helping to protect vulnerable people from harm or abuse or supporting people to live independently. Social workers support people, act as advocates and direct people to the services they may require. Social workers often work in multi-disciplinary teams alongside health and education professionals."^[9] - British Association of Social Workers

Qualifications [edit]

The education of social workers begins with a bachelor's degree (BA, BSc, BSSW, BSW, etc.), diploma in social work, or a Bachelor of Social Services. Some countries offer postgraduate degrees in social work, such as a master's degree (MSW, MSSW, MSS, MSSA, MA, MSc, MRes, MPhil.) or doctoral studies (PhD and DSW (Doctor of Social Work)). Increasingly, graduates of social work programs pursue post-masters and post-doctoral study, including training in psychotherapy.

In the United States, social work undergraduate and master's programs are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education. A CSWE-accredited degree is required for one to become a state-licensed social worker.^[33][34] The CSWE even accredits online master's in social work programs in traditional and advanced standing options.^[35] In 1898, the New York Charity Organization Society, which was the Columbia University School of Social Work's earliest entity, began offering formal "social philanthropy" courses, marking both the beginning date for social work education in the United States, as well as the launching of professional social work.^[36]

A number of countries and jurisdictions require registration or licensure of people working as social workers, and there are mandated qualifications.^[37] In other places, a professional association sets academic requirements for admission to the profession. The success of these professional bodies' efforts is demonstrated in that these same requirements are recognized by employers as necessary for employment.^[38]

Social workers aspire to "develop a seamless process that enhances both research and clinical outcomes." Social workers must learn to work in areas with an increase in disparities, some of which involve race, income, and other social problems. With that, social workers must be open to learn new information, be open to viewing others opinions while understanding their opinions, and learn to develop a positive character.