Other Definitions
social work (dict)
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Social WorkA social worker is a person employed in the administration of charity, social service, welfare, and poverty agencies, advocacy, or religious outreach programs. Social workers may also work with community health agencies. In developed countries a large number of social workers are employed by the government. Other social workers work as psychotherapists, performing individual counseling, frequently working in coordination with psychiatrists, psychologists, or other physicians. Additionally, some social workers have chosen to focus their efforts on social policy. A social worker practicing in the United States usually requires a Master's degree (MSW) or a Bachelor's degree (BSW) in Social Work to receive a license in most states. In some areas, however, a social worker may be able to receive a license with a Bachelor's degree in any discipline. At the time of massive immigrant influx, and consequent social and economic upheaval, the church was the only organized force with a mandate to provide services to the needy. Religious organizations, consequently stepped into the void, creating work forces and legal guidelines (such as the Elizabethan Poor Laws, in England). In some countries, Social Work has emerged as a recognized non-secular and professional endeavor to serve these needs. Governmental support for non-secular and non-political fulfillment of certain societal needs has promoted the field of social work. In many countries religious organizations continue to be prevalent in addressing these needs of society. Types of Social Work Clinical Social Services Policy & Advocacy Education medical support, counseling Social work in the United States The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is the largest organization of professional social workers in the United States. Criticisms Certain types of social workers are more likely to suffer criticism than most other workers because they often work in scenarios which are highly emotionally charged. Examples include: - taking a child away from parents who are regarded as unfit
- failing to remove children from parents who subsequently hurt or kill them
- organizing demonstrations that turn into riots
- supporting activities that are highly controversial - abortion, needle exchanges
Criticism often centers around social workers acting unprofessionally. This would include methodological errors, bias with or against those whom they work with, failure to perform their jobs, or even witch hunts. Social workers would respond that often problems with social workers can be traced to poor pay, inadequate training, excessive case loads, inadequate funding, and bad government policies. The reason social workers are singled out is because they are the ones who directly face and deal with the public. Criticisms range from methodological errors to human rights abuses. When social workers do not remove children from homes in which children are abused by their parents, there is often public outcry about child welfare agencies not doing their job. Also, social workers are often criticized because they are identified with the bureaucracy of their organizations. Through no choice of their own, social workers often have to ask clients to fill out time-consuming paperwork and sign large numbers of documents. Clients and others thus tend to think of social workers as paper-pushers. In response, in many regions Social Workers are seeking efforts to professionalize the profession. As a result many regions have passed legislation making it illegal to use the title social worker without a license. This prevents unqualified persons from acting under the title of social worker and has resulted in the creation of discipline boards. These boards have the authority to punish social workers who violate their legislation through fines, suspension or revocation of their license. This protects the public by having social workers accountable to their code of ethics. External links Professional Associations / Regulatory Bodies: Other Related Links
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