Social work aims to promote social justice and empower marginalized people. Social workers address life challenges around issues like poverty, abuse, mental health and addiction. They engage with individuals and communities to help people build better lives. However, social workers face challenges like high caseloads, limited resources and being portrayed negatively in the media. Nonetheless, social workers are making a positive impact on many lives.

1. Social Work
Diego Kravetz
What is Social Work?
Presentation by Diego Kravetz

2. What is Social Work?
What defines Social Work?
What do Social Workers do?
What are the Challenges?

3. What Defines Social Work?

4. Why?
Because where people live together in societies and
communities there are structural sources of inequality
that advantage some individuals and exclude others.
These are perpetuated both intentionally and
unintentionally through discrimination, exploitation
and oppression.
Social Work starts with proactive mindful awareness,
being alongside people to challenge and change
these conditions.

5. The international definition of social work
Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) and International
Association of Schools of Social Work (IASSW), (2014)
Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic
discipline that;
1.Promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and
the empowerment and liberation of people.
2.Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility
and respect for diversities are central to social work.
3.Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences,
humanities and indigenous knowledge,
4.Social work engages people and structures to address life
challenges and enhance wellbeing.

6. Rory Truell (Sec. General IFSW)
The Guardian - July 2014
“...good social work looks to
assist the person to change
themselves, and their
environment, to construct a
better life for themselves
immersed in strong
and positive relationships”

7. Values and Ethics
Professional Integrity
Upholding Values, Being Trustworthy, Professional
Boundaries, Judgements and Accountability
●
Social Justice
Challenging Discrimination, Recognising Diversity, Distributing
Resources, Challenging Unjust Policy and Practice, Inclusion
Human Rights
Dignity, respect, Self-determination, Participation, holistic
view of individuals, Developing Strengths
BASW Code of Ethics for Social Work 2012

8. What do social workers do?

9. Working with people who are vulnerable,
marginalised and discriminated against
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Poverty
Discrimination
Abuse and Neglect
Mental Health
Disability
Addiction

10. ASPIRE*
Engagement
Engagement

11. A Balance Between What...
Scope of the
role and
responsibilities
of the social
worker
What the
service user
would like
from the
social worker

12. Interpersonal Skills
and Communication
Reviewing
plans
Clear and
accurate records
Guidance
Advocacy
Therapy
Imparting
Skills
Sign-
posting

13. Supervision
Critical Self-Reflection

14. Within a Legal
Framework
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The Equality Act 2010
The Care Act - 2014
The Mental Capacity Act 2005
The Children’s Act 1989/2004
Health and Social Care Act 2008
Children and Families Act 2014
Working Together to Safeguard Children 2015
No Secrets 2015

15. The challenges and Joys

16. How are Social Workers Viewed in
the UK?
Two Perspectives from Reddit.com
‘In the press they are either cruel jobsworths
stealing babies and children from loving
parents, or feckless idiots leaving babies and
children in the grasps of abusive parents’
‘the most stressful, unappreciated,
unrespected, difficult job you could choose.’

17. The Children and Social Work Bill
Potential changes to
regulation and
training at
government level

18. ●
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Fantastic work
being done by
social workers
People whose
lives they’ve
turned around.
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High case loads,
High vacancy rates
Increasing demand
Ever-dwindling
resources
‘The best place in the world to be a social worker?’
Article By Rachel Schraer on March 17, 2015

19. ● Christopher Hoyle (academic development officer in
higher education): ‘Social workers are more than worth
their weight in gold, they’re all extremely good people.’
● David Akinsanya (broadcaster, journalist and campaigner): ‘I
managed to make a success of my life, and I wouldn’t have
been able to do that without her.’

20. Thank You