This document discusses the purpose and goals of human services. It provides two definitions: 1) The purpose is to position human welfare and rights as a primary responsibility, acknowledging the balance between humanity and environment, and celebrating diversity. Practitioners are responsible for addressing oppression and responding to human need. 2) The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving, empowerment, and liberation to enhance well-being. It intervenes where people interact with their environments, using theories of human behavior and social systems. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental.

1. RECAP: What are “Human Services” ??? : “ to our mind, the purpose of practice is to position human welfare and human rights as a primary social responsibility, acknowledging that humanity exists in balance with the environment, and to celebrate and nurture the diversity of humanity. Social workers and human services practitioners are charged with the social responsibility of bringing to public notice the values, attitudes, behaviours and social structures and economic imperatives that cause or contribute to the oppression of human welfare and human rights. They are further charged with the duty to respond, with passion and hope, to human need wherever and however it is manifested, and to work towards the attainment of social justice for individuals, groups and communities in a local and global context.” (Text Book - p12)

2. “ The social work profession promotes social change, problem solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance well-being. Utilising theories of human behaviour and social systems, social work intervenes at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.” International Federation of Social Workers – 2000 (quoted in Text Book - p12) RECAP: What are “Human Services” ??? :

3. Theological Understanding Psycho-Social Understanding Self Awareness & Values Knowledge & Skills Fields of Practice Organisation Context Developing a Practice Framework :

7. Mark 1:14-20 Jesus went into Galillee, proclaiming the good news of God. “The time has come,” he said. “The Kingdom of God is near. Repent and believe the good news.”