Social work is a helping profession focused on "social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being" (IASSW & IFSW 2001). Social workers usually work with people viewed as having special disadvantages, such as persons with low incomes, persons with disabilities, elders, and persons diagnosed with mental illness. Some social workers provide counseling services to middle and upper-class clients who are experiencing problems in living.
The major international social work bodies, the International Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) agreed in July 2001 on a definition of social work:
The work undertaken by social workers can vary widely between countries as the aims and values of social workers must reflect the cultural and social norms of the society in which they operate, in order to cater appropriately for the needs of the people they serve.
More on [ Social work ]

232-HELP Information and Referral Center - 232-HELP is a comprehensive information and referral agency for health and human services providing crisis intervention, advocacy, resource referral and case management for southwest Louisiana.
Meta Description: [ 232-HELP is a comprehensive information and referral agency of health and human service resources serving Southwest Louisiana ]
California Social Work Education Center (CalSWEC) - Nation's largest state coalition of social work educators and practitioners that prepares social work students and social workers for employment in public child welfare systems
Center for Social Services Research - Research group focusing on issues concerning social work, health, socio-economics, child and family welfare and care for the elderly.
Meta Description: [ Center for Social Services Research at the UC Berkeley School of Social Welfare: Research for the Advancement of Social Services; we provide research publications and resources for social issues, including family and child welfare, to inform policymakers, caregivers and social researchers. ]
Child Care in Practice - Quarterly peer-reviewed journal publishing research and practice from all disciplines involved in the provision of children's services. Site contains full index of articles published, notes for authors, subscription and advertising rates.
Meta Description: [ Oxford Executive Coaching provides leadership development and coaching services to organizations in the private and public sectors. The aim of all our activities is to achieve tangible improvement in the performance of the organisations for which our clients work. ]
Children's Services Practice Notes - Newsletter designed to enhance the practice of North Carolina's child welfare workers by providing them with information about research and practice models.
Meta Description: [ Children's Services Practice Notes, a newsletter designed to enhance the practice
of North Carolina's child welfare workers by providing them with information about social services research and social work child services practice models. ]
Dr. Siu-kau Cheung, CityU of Hong Kong - A registered social worker in Hong Kong and a social work educator, specializing in parent education and researching on family relationships. Site linking to useful ideas on planning social work programmes.
Ehrenkranz School of Social Work - A comprehensive directory of topics relevant to the field of social work maintained as a joint effort between New York University and the Mount Sinai-NYU Medical Center.
Meta Description: [ Top ranked BS, MSW and PhD Social Work programs. Provides preparation for social sciences, individual and couples therapy, school social work and mental health. In New York City. ]
HIRL Higher Institute for Readaptation Sciences Louvain - A college of higher education with two departments: the Graduate in Social Readaptation Sciences and the Postgraduate in Non-Commercial Management.
Nottinghamshire County Council's Social Services - Information on statutory services provided by Nottinghamshire Social Services, including care for adults and children, adoption and fostering, welfare rights, and carers.
Social Work Access Network (SWAN) - SWAN has become the site of choice for professionals, educators, and students searching the web for resources related to social work. Access to lists of schools of social work in the US, listservs, conferences, and chats.
Social Work Search - Directory of social work links.
Meta Description: [ Social Work Search is an online searcheable database devoted to the Social Work profession. It has links to websites and jobs of interest to social workers and other helping professionals. ]
Society for Social Work and Research (SSWR) - A non-profit association committed to improving the support for research among social workers.
404
The Barefoot Social Worker - A voice of radical social work in Britain. Articles and essays argue that the social work profession needs to confront class issues.
Meta Description: [ The voice of radical social work in Britain. ]
The British Journal of Social Work - Covers every aspect of social work, with papers reporting research, discussing practice, and examining principles and theories.
The New Social Worker Online - An electronic companion to the print magazine devoted to social work students and recent graduates. Includes full-text articles, an online career center, and social work links.
Meta Description: [ Social work articles, social work jobs, and more. THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER Online--The place for social workers on the Net. THE NEW SOCIAL WORKER ONLINE is an electronic magazine devoted to social work students and recent graduates. Includes full-text articles, an online career center, social work l... ]
The Social Work Student - A resource for students undertaking a social work qualification and people interested in social care and social work in the UK.
Meta Description: [ Social Work Student - Supporting your social care studies ]
Virtual Social Work - UK Information Gateway featuring resources for social workers, probation officers, psychologists, counsellors, drugs workers and other health and social care staff in the UK. By Conny Carnuth.
Meta Description: [ Information gateway for social workers in the UK providing access to relevant websites, organisations, discussion forums, mailing lists and career services. ]
| social work | |
| Next Video | |