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Introducing social work: a starter kit
Introducing social work: a starter kit

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7 Summary of Session 1

In this session you have learned that:

  • social work is a legally protected term describing a community-based response to social need
  • social work is based on principles of social justice, collective responsibility, and respect for diversity
  • social work practice takes place in the continually contested space between apparently opposing views: that either individuals and communities must change to fit into society; or, that society itself must change, to more appropriately meet the needs of individuals and communities
  • social work requires practitioners who can reflect upon and successfully balance their personal values and ethics with the values and ethics of the social work profession
  • social work engages with service users who are often vulnerable, and who for many reasons, including personal choice and societal oppression, need assistance in managing their lives and their relationships for achieving more equitable balances of power and opportunity.

In the next session, now that you have a better understanding of what social work is, you’ll explore the characteristics and qualities that are required for people working in professional social work.

You can now go to Session 2 [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .