1.1 Historical development of social work profession
3 min read•august 9, 2024
Social work's roots trace back to late 19th century movements like the and . These initiatives laid the groundwork for addressing poverty, promoting social reform, and developing to helping those in need.
Key figures like and shaped social work's evolution into a profession. Their contributions, along with reforms, led to the establishment of formal education programs, , and organizations like the National Association of Social Workers.
Early Social Work Movements
Charity Organization Society and Settlement House Movement
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Charity Organization Society emerged in late 19th century to coordinate charitable efforts
Focused on and
Introduced "" to assess needs and provide guidance to poor families
Emphasized self-help and moral reform over direct financial assistance
Pioneered systematic record-keeping and data collection in social services
Settlement House Movement developed as a community-based approach to social reform
Established neighborhood centers in poor urban areas to provide services and education
Promoted and between classes
Offered programs such as childcare, healthcare, and adult education
Advocated for broader social and political reforms to address root causes of poverty
Influential Figures and Progressive Era Reforms
Jane Addams played a pivotal role in the Settlement House Movement
Co-founded Hull House in Chicago in 1889, serving as a model for settlement houses
Advocated for , , and immigrant rights
Became the first American woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize in 1931
Influenced social work education and practice through her writings and activism
Progressive Era (1890s-1920s) marked a period of widespread social and political reform
Addressed issues such as child labor, workers' rights, and public health
Introduced social legislation like and
Expanded government involvement in programs
Led to the creation of and
Foundations of Professional Social Work
Mary Richmond and the Development of Social Casework
Mary Richmond contributed significantly to the professionalization of social work
Authored "" in 1917, establishing a systematic approach to casework
Developed methods for gathering and analyzing information about clients' situations
Emphasized the importance of social environment in understanding individual problems
Promoted the use of scientific methods in social work practice
Social casework evolved as a core method in professional social work
Focused on individualized assessment and intervention
Incorporated psychological theories and therapeutic techniques
Developed specialized approaches for different populations (children, families, elderly)
Laid the foundation for in social work
Professionalization and Establishment of Social Work Organizations
Social welfare emerged as a broader concept encompassing various social services
Included , , and
Expanded beyond charity to address structural causes of social problems
Incorporated principles of and human rights
Led to the development of social policies and welfare state institutions
Professionalization of social work occurred through several key developments
Establishment of formal social work education programs in universities
Creation of professional standards and
Development of specialized knowledge and skills unique to social work practice
Recognition of social work as a distinct profession by government and society
formed in 1955
Merged seven previously separate social work organizations
Established a unified code of ethics for the profession
Advocated for social work licensure and continuing education requirements
Promoted the advancement of social work research and best practices