Why Social Work is Important

Part 1: The identity of social work

Explaining ourselves: why is social work ‘social’ and ‘work’?

Social work’s national and international identities

Social work’s role: in social care and with other professions

Part 2: What social work consists of:

Beginnings: assessment, investigation and recording

Taking action: intervention strategies, reporting and making arrangements

Outcomes: completion and discharge.

Part 3: What social workers do

Tasks: caring, helping and counselling.

Engagement: interpersonal participation, mutual action and empowerment

Focus: individual, family, group and macro practice

Part 4: Social work values

Social justice and human rights

Dignity, respect and human worth

Equalities

Part 5: Professionalism in social work

Helping and care roles

Social control and surveillance roles

Management, self-management and self-care

Part 6: Social work’s partnership and integration roles

Children’s social care

Adult social care

Healthcare settings

Conclusion: social work practice in context