what is social work???

What is Social Work?

Social work is a profession that can challenge you and help you to make a difference for others. Its goal is to improve the overall functioning and well-being of all people. Yet, social workers have a special concern for the poor, the marginalized, and the vulnerable. Social work is both an art and science. A past student explained it this way, "to be a social worker is to be like an artist with the right strokes on a canvas and like a scientist with the correct formula for reaching out and providing what is needed for others."

Unique Features of Social Work

1. Utilizes a liberal arts foundation
2. Builds on its specialized knowledge base
3. Is directed by a Code of Ethics & Core Values
4. Has a holistic view of human problems and strengths
   1. Uses methods to help individuals, families, groups, organizations, and communities
5. Values the dignity and worth of every person
6. Uses hands-on experience through Field Placements (internships)
7. Has a dual perspective: the person and the impact of the environment

What Skills do Social Workers Need?

1. An understanding of social policy and its origins
2. Strong interpersonal, analytical, and critical-thinking skills
3. Advocacy skills and insight into strategies that promote social justice
4. Competence and comfort in working with diverse population

Nature of Social Work?

Child, family, and school social workers provide social services and assistance to improve the social and psychological functioning of children and their families and to maximize the well-being of families and the academic functioning of children. They may assist single parents, arrange adoptions, or help find foster homes for neglected, abandoned, or abused children. Some specialize in services for senior citizens. These social workers may run support groups for the children of aging parents; advise elderly people or family members about housing, transportation, long-term care, and other services; and coordinate and monitor these services. Through employee assistance programs, social workers may help people cope with job-related pressures or with personal problems that affect the quality of their work.

In schools, social workers often serve as the link between students’ families and the school, working with parents, guardians, teachers, and other school officials to ensure students reach their academic and personal potential. In addition, they address problems such as misbehavior, truancy, and teenage pregnancy and advise teachers on how to cope with difficult students. Increasingly, school social workers teach workshops to entire classes.

Medical and public health social workers provide psychosocial support to people, families, or vulnerable populations so they can cope with chronic, acute, or terminal illnesses, such as Alzheimer’s disease, cancer, or AIDS. They also advise family caregivers, counsel patients, and help plan for patients’ needs after discharge from hospitals. They may arrange for at-home services, such as meals-on-wheels or home care. Some work on interdisciplinary teams that evaluate certain kinds of patients—geriatric or organ transplant patients, for example. Medical and public health social workers may work for hospitals, nursing and personal care facilities, individual and family services agencies, or local governments.

Mental health and substance abuse social workers assess and treat individuals with mental illness or substance abuse problems, including abuse of alcohol, tobacco, or other drugs. Such services include individual and group therapy, outreach, crisis intervention, social rehabilitation, and teaching skills needed for everyday living. They also may help plan for supportive services to ease clients’ return to the community. Mental health and substance abuse social workers are likely to work in hospitals, substance abuse treatment centers, individual and family services agencies, or local governments. These social workers may be known as clinical social workers.

• Reference

http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos060.htm#nature

http://www.cuw.edu/Academics/programs/social_work/generalist_social_work.html