Throughout the life cycle and in diverse social situations, a person is liable to suffer from disadvantage and distress. Individuals, families and communities are susceptible to poverty, to physical and mental health issues, and to dependencies that can lead to social exclusion, harmful behavior, delinquency and family violence.
Social work can be defined as a profession that furthers human wellbeing in society through the development and application of research-informed knowledge, by actions that seek to bring about social change and better social policies, and by general interventions with individuals and their families to create a relevant body of responses – intra-personal, inter-personal, material, occupational and rehabilitative.
Social work is undertaken in a wide range of service settings provided by the state, local authorities, and civil society that serve very diverse social groups. Social workers engage in various roles ranging from direct practice with individuals and families, through community work, administering social services, engaging in advocacy, and actively participating in social policy formulation.
