RAHPC - Professions
Social Work
Published: Jan 07, 2025 8:44 AM
A social worker is a mental health professional who works to improve the lives of vulnerable populations. They work with individuals and communities to overcome challenges and effect social change
Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people.
Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing.
Social work operates at the interface between people and their social, cultural and physical environments. Human needs are always seen in the context of socio-political and environmental factors. While social work practice is diverse, it can generally be broken up into the following areas of practice:
- Work with individuals
- Work with families
- Work with groups
- Work with communities
- Social policy practice