The Global Definition

Social work is practiced across the world, in many different social contexts. The International Federation of Social Work and the International Association of Schools of Social Work put together this definition of social work in July 2014.

“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 well-being.

The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels”.

It is worth taking your time to unpick this definition as it provides the underpinning for what social work is and what social workers (aim to) do.

Notice how the definition looks at where social work takes place (in practice and in academia); states what its global goals are (social change and development, social cohesion, and empowerment and liberation); what principles underpin it (social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for diversities); what theories it draws upon (those from social work practice, social sciences and the humanities, and people’s own knowledge and theories); and what it aims to do in practice (work with individuals and structures to help people overcome life challenges and enhance their well-being).

Within this overall definition of social work, it is possible to identify four main models of social work. These will be addressed in the next section.