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About Social Work

NASW Code of Ethics

The NASW Code of Ethics offers a set of values, principles and standards to guide decision-making and everyday professional conduct of social workers. It is relevant to all social workers and social work students regardless of their specific functions or settings (NASW website). 

2018 NASW Code of Ethics

Helpful Videos:

This Could Be You: The Many Faces of Social Work
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77UGDj48oHs

What is Social Work?

  • The primary mission of the social work profession is to "enhance human wellbeing and help meet the basic human needs of all people, with particular attention to the needs and empowerment of people who are vulnerable, oppressed, and living in poverty" (NASW, 2008, p.1). 
  • This profession is committed to the pursuit of social justice to enhance the quality of life, and the development of individulas, groups, families, and communities to its full potential!

About Social Workers

  • Each social worker is trained and qualified to assess people and the environments in which they are influenced (Person in Environment Perspective).
  • Social workers strive to enhance the overall well-being of the individual to create positive opportunities for the future.
  • Social workers use a large network of resources to link the person to community services to help them overcome life's most difficult challenges.

How Do Social Workers Help?

Social workers work with a variety of different issues that can greatly impact individuals, families, and communities. Some of these issues include:

  • Poverty
  • Stress
  • Mental Health
  • Addiction
  • Abuse
  • Disability
  • Death
  • Physical Illness
  • Discrimination
  • Crisis

Where Do Social Workers Work?

Social workers can be employed virtually anywhere! There are a range of different fields of practice that social workers can work in. Here are just a few:

  • Hospitals
  • Schools
  • Mental Health Agencies
  • Retirement and Senior Communities
  • Government
  • Drug and Alcohol Facilities
  • Hospice
  • Family and Children Services
  • Juvenile and Adult Corrections