Social Work Fast Facts
- Social work is a profession with a long history of commitment to improving the well-being of people in society, particularly the disadvantaged.
- Social workers understand the complex interaction between individuals and their environment.
- Social workers are committed to:
- the intrinsic worth and dignity of every human being
- the values of acceptance
- the respect for individuality
- the belief in the client's capacity for growth
- Social workers are professionally trained at the university level and employed in a wide variety of areas that include:
- Direct work with individuals, families and groups
- Community development
- Human resources development
- Social policy
- Program planning
- Teaching
- Research
- Social workers reach every part of the community including:
- Corporations
- Hospitals
- Mental health clinics
- Military
- Prisons
- Public social agencies
- Schools
- Senior centers and nursing facilities
- Social workers help people in all stages of life; from children to the elderly and from all situations; from adoption to hospice
- Social workers are the nation's largest provider of mental health services
- Social workers use a variety of strategies to bring about change in persons, situations and institutions
- Social workers strive to empower clients, assisting them to identify their problems and find meaningful solutions, building on their existing strengths
- Social workers are strong advocates for individual rights and social justice.
To learn more about the social work profession, go online to www.helpstartshere.org