Social Work

Social Work Social work is located within some of the most complex problems and

perplexing areas of human experience, and for this reason, social work

is, and has to be, a highly skilled activity.” (Trevithick, 2000,p.1)

Explain the meaning of this statement, and consider whether it is an

adequate definition of the nature of social work.

The aim of this assignment is to discuss the interpretation of the

statement given above, to analyse this definition and compare it to

others that are available and to conclude by discussing whether this

is an adequate definition in relation to the nature of social work.

In order to fully discuss the statement given by Trevithick it is

important to be aware of the history of social work and to observe the

changes that have occurred over the centuries. Social work was

developed in the late 19th century with the implementation of the Poor

Law Report; this led to the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1934. Prior to

this date, Charitable Organisations looked after people who were

unable to care for themselves, in partnership with the Christian

church. It is questionable whether these organisations offered help

and support to people in need, or whether they just hid away societies

most vulnerable people to take the problem away from the public eye.

In a similar way to the 19th century, social work in the 21st century

offers support and guidance to vulnerable people. Whereas, the

methods used have been developed and improved upon to ensure that the

service user is receiving as high a quality of service as poss...

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...rs”. Because social work covers

such a diverse range of the population and uses such a wide variety of

methods this will make it problematic to construct a brief definition

that covers all areas involved, as it also has to portray the

complexity that is involved with the profession on a day to day

basis. This may be why there is such a diverse range of definitions

available in relation to the nature of social work.

Social work is a profession that changes constantly because there is a

great deal of continuous learning involved. Ideas and perspectives

change all the time and although the implementation of the new degree

will ensure that all social workers deliver a service to as high a

standard as possible this is only achievable because of the change in

standards put in place by the General Social Care Council.