Notes about this page

How this meets C. Course Images

Imagery is inclusive of a range of folks of various races, ethnicities, ages, and genders.

Introduction to Social Work

Throughout this course, we'll be exploring the vast, complex, and rewarding field of social work and human services. In this first week of our journey, we'll explore how social work is defined and who defines it. What is the mission and purpose of social work and what role has it played throughout history and in contemporary society? As you delve deeper into definitions and concepts about social work, consider common themes that emerge as we learn more about the history, theories, types, and practice of social work.

Social Work Defined

Definitions of social work range from the simplistic to more complex and comprehensive.

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) states that:

"Social workers help people solve and cope with problems in their everyday lives."

The National Association of Social Work (NASW) offers a more comprehensive explanation of social work practice:

"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 NASW continues to describe that social work practice "requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social, economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors."

The social work profession impacts millions of people every day and as the populations and communities served become more diverse, so does the definition of the practice.

Various perspectives of social work practice

Understanding the various definitions and perspectives requires us to take into account privilege, perspectives, values, practices, and goals of those developing the definition.

The following podcast provides an equally complex and more nuanced and critical perspective of social work. It is also more explicit in connecting social work to social justice which is a constant theme in social work and throughout this course. You're invited to listen to the entire podcast, but the relevant information for this module is concentrated in the first 14 minutes.

If you prefer listening to this on your own podcast player, this is episode 1 of the podcast Decolonize Social Work.