Definition of Social Work
Social Work is an Applied or Behavioural Sciences profession that promotes human rights,
Social Justice, Peace and conflict resolutions, engendering social change, problem solving
and sustainable development in human relationships focusing on empowerment and liberation
of people and enhancing the well-being of individuals, family, groups and Communities;
utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems. Social Work intervenes at the
points where people interact with their environments, principles of human rights and social
Justice are fundamental to Social Work.
The Social Work profession is committed to maximizing the wellbeing of individuals and
society. We consider that individual and societal wellbeing is strengthened by socially
inclusive communities that emphasize principles of social justice and respect for human
dignity and human rights, including the right to freedom from intimidation and exclusion.
Social Work Draws on theories of Social work, social sciences, psychology, sociology,
humanities and Indigenous knowledge, Social workers focus on the interface between the
individual and the environment and recognise the impact of social, economic and cultural
factors on the health and wellbeing of individuals, family and communities. Hence, Social
Workers maintain a dual focus in both assisting with and improving human wellbeing; and
addressing any external issues (known as systemic or structural issues) that may impact on
wellbeing, such as inequality, injustice and discrimination.
Who Social Workers are
Social workers are Professionals, trained specifically in Social work disciplines to build
partnerships among other professionals working within the field of psychosocial
intervention, caregivers and families; collaborating with the community, usually with the goal
of creating supportive environments for clients or service users, advocating for adequate
service, treatment models and resources; changing social policy to address issues of poverty,
employment, housing and social justice; and supporting the development of preventive
programmes for the less privilege. Social workers focus on early intervention, treatments,
and post treatment with individuals, groups and the general public through education,
advocacy and improving access to services, resources and information. (ISOWN, 2017)
What Social Workers do
Qualified Social Workers intervene by breaking the circle of crises, helping people change
their lives and Communities; they focus on individuals, groups and Communities in crises
working with him or them to find inherent solutions. Social workers are supporting
connections in Communities designed to last people’s whole lifetimes, working even beyond services. Social workers can work with a range of vulnerable people or choose to focus on
one client group or area of focus. These include:
- People adopting or fostering children
- refugees and asylum seekers
- Internally displaced persons
- children care and support services
- People experiencing domestic violence and family support services
- People living with HIV/AIDS and other Communicable challenges
- people with housing difficulties or who are homeless
- People with learning difficulties, mental health problems or physical and sensory
impairments - People with substance abuse issues
- People at the end of their lives
- Medical social welfare services
- Correctional services
- Rehabilitations services
- Hospices for older persons and special persons
- Youths and Sports
- Rural and Community Development services
- Agricultural extension services
- People who are bereaved
- Veterans of the military and para-military and their families
- Seafarers (Maritime workers) on sea and their families
- Offshore workers and their families
- Victims of disasters and communal crises
- Corporate Social Responsibility of Companies to the Community
- People who are denied justice
- Prisoners and people on parole
- Industries and Industrial workers including Pensioners/Retirees
- Schools and Educational facilities
- Alternative dispute resolution services
- Helping communities access resources and organize people to benefit sustainably.