The social work would be formed when there is a conflict between people and their environment; so there should be a targeted changes to remove it.
The social work is traditionally divided into three ways: Individual or case, group, and in an organized way. Because the ways mentioned are similar, this profession call them all as social working. They make the social work in two ways of direct and indirect.
In direct way, the people are helped to cope with daily life problems including losing jobs, marriage and divorce, children discipline problems, fear of failure, lack of self-confidence, conflict with neighbors, and lack of facilities. Direct services of social work are treatment, training counseling, supportive service, gathering and presenting the information, referring or expanding the sources and facilities. The aim of social workers is directly serving to peoples, families and groups to be adapted with unchangeable social problems, eliminate changeable problems or at least reduce them as well as to be grown where the social function is considerable. The activities of social workers on groups, organizations, and communities even the society are as important as services above. The effect of social workers on organizations is creating social plans as well as an environment where the satisfactory life is prepared for all people.
What does a social work student learn?
At BS level in addition to general ones, they learn specialized lessons like social work basics to be familiar with social work major, basics and strategies of social welfare, basics of psychology, sociology, nutrition and hygiene, basics of management and departmental affairs, basic math and statistics, growth and vulnerability, principles of rehabilitation , basics of anthropology, sociology theories, counseling principles, individual social work, disease psychology, rural sociology, social security, genetics counseling, specialized English of development and urban sociology, research methodology in social work and so on.
With the beginning of 5th term, the students have 24 units of apprenticeship at psychological rehabilitation centers, training centers, schools, prisons, recoveries centers and etc.
To continue the education at MS level, you must be accepted by universities of social welfare and rehabilitation in Tehran and Allameh Tababa’i University.
What is social work?
It is said that the social work is a science but some believe it is an art. However we believe both of them. After becoming a professional social worker, you will find out that the most of people have low information about what the social workers do and their various jobs. There are also a lot of tales about the social work. If you want to experience something interesting, ask someone you know: “what do the social workers do?”
One of the usual responses:” they help people. Or they work with the children and families with problems. Or they help poor peoples through charities”.
These answers are technically correct but they are hardly close to the options for those who are interested in social work and have the necessary knowledge and skills.
Tales about the social work
- Most of social workers are hired by the government.
Reality: most of them work in private sections; for-profit and non-profit centers, religious-based organizations and some work for themselves.
- All of social workers have low income
Reality: while some have less income than it should be, but many of them are well paid, especially those who have departmental or supervising jobs.
- The social workers have stressful jobs
Reality: although some of social workers have stressful jobs like protect of children, but in fact most of them have low stress jobs. Nonetheless, one of the most important skills for social workers is self-protection which means avoid depression.
Familiarity with social work
Like other professions, the social work has its challenges. The biggest challenges in fact are the features which reflect social work advantages. For example, working and interacting with human beings and multiple systems can challenge the jobs of this profession. Handling with those who have mental, hygiene, social or financial problems is part of their life, whether they cooperate with people and families or groups and communities. It can reduce your energy, and sometimes makes you disappointed when you help others or deal with the system in which you work. It is emphasized that the self-protection and balanced personal and professional life are important because of the stressful nature of social work. Working with people having problems and instability should be considered as well as safety as a vital issue. It is also difficult to deal with moral problems related to helping others.
According to the ever changing nature of social work, a social worker should be updated by knowledge, skills, policies, and the current plans.
This needs more time and effort on education and training and other efforts related to professional development. Be careful about “the perfect social worker” syndrome! No one is thoroughly perfect. We have made mistakes in our lives that we should learn to be a better one. It can be challenging for a social worker which is forced having proficiency in one field with knowing that the people experience simultaneous problems.
Like other helping professions such as teaching and nursing, the social work supports the “respect” as a profession and “justice” for compensation.
Global definition of social work
“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 wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels”
