Social work is defined as a practice-based profession that promotes social change, social cohesion, and empowerment. It is not the same as charity work or other benevolent actions without systematic methods. To be a profession, an occupation must have a specialized body of knowledge, training requirements, professional ethics codes, and recognition as a dignified vocation that benefits society. Social work qualifies as a profession according to these criteria by having a distinct knowledge base, education and licensing standards, professional organizations, and role in solving social problems and improving lives in a systematic way.

1. SOCIAL WORK
BY
AMIT KUMAR
PHD RESEARCH SCHOLAR
CENTRAL UNIVIERSITY OF JHARKHAND
C
WHAT IS NOT SOCIAL WORK?
1. Social work is not Sramadan, alms giving, religious, activity, charity work etc.
2. It is not “Charitable actions”, as alms(offerings/gifts/donations) giving or performing
other benevolent actions of any sort for the needy with no expectation of material return
3. It is presumed by the general public that anyone who does any kind of services to the
masses is a social worker.
4. And any kind of help done for the poor and needy; any work which benefit a particular
population is social work.
5. People assume that a politician bringing some welfare measures to the people at the
time of election, a philanthropist helping the needy, a well-educated person leading a
group of people to support a population affected by some natural or man-made
calamities, a rich man giving alms to beggars are all social workers
WHAT IS SOCIAL WORK?
The following definition was approved by the IASSW (International Association of Schools of
Social Work) General Assembly and IFSW (International Federation of Social Work) General
Meeting in July 2014:
Global Definition of the Social Work Profession

2. “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 knowledges, social work engages people and structures to address life
challenges and enhance wellbeing.”
WHAT MAKES ANYTHING PROFESSION?
1. It requires scientific knowledge and skills.
2. It requires commitment, compassion, and educational communicable techniques among
other things.
3. It is rich in duties and responsibilities; that they completely engage their votaries.
4. It requires specificity (the act or quality of being exact, e.g., person is patient or not)
and objectives.
5. It is very much intellectual/ logical/knowledgeable/rational and learned; they are in the
next place definitely practical. No profession can be merely academic and theoretic; the
professional man must have an absolutely definite and practical object.
6. We use the word profession as connoting a dignified calling in which men, carefully
trained, seek to reach certain definite ends, important for the well-being of the race,
through recognized and proven methods.
Greenwood in 1957, gives 5 attributes of profession
The attributes of a profession include:
1. Systematic Theory
2. Authority
3. Community Sanctions
4. Ethical codes
5. culture
So, question is
IS SOCIAL WORK PROFESSION? (As per book “SOCIAL WORK IN ANCIENT HINDU
LITERATURE” written by NAVEENCHANDRAN K. BHAT)
As per S.K KHINDAKA,
“Social work is profession” as it has following six characteristics:
1. A special body of knowledge.
2. A system of imparting training.
3. Special ability of the professionals in there are of operation.
4. Professional Organisation.
5. Professional Ethics.
6. Social recognition
WHY SOCIAL WORK?
1. To enhance human well being

3. 2. To help clients deal not only with how they feel about a situation but also with what
they can do about it.
3. Social workers help relieve people's suffering, fight for social justice and improve lives
and communities.
4. It is the only profession which studies social problems its origin, interrelation etc. and
provides systematic solution to such problems.
CHARACTERISTICS OF SOCIAL WORK
1. Compared to other disciplines, professional social work is relatively young
2. Problem solving profession
3. Helps individuals, groups and communities to find solutions for their problems
4. Field work and research in addressing the problems of various client groups
5. Professional social work makes people independent rather than dependent.
6. Professional and academic discipline that seeks to improve the quality of life and
wellbeing of an individual, group or community.
7. Relationship is the key tool of social work
8. It promotes study, diagnosis, research and resource mobilization
9. Social work simply means ‘help people to help themselves’
10. Give a man a fish, and you feed him for a day show him how to catch fish, and you feed
him for a lifetime.
11. Social work is an interrelated system of theory and practice.
12. For social workers society is the lab for practical learning. It is a lab without walls.