CONCEPT, DEFINITION, GOALS, SCOPE, ROLES AND FUNCTIONS OF

PROFESSIONAL SOCIAL WORK

Introduction:
A profession is an occupation that requires a higher educational qualification, such as a
degree, diploma, or certificate. It is characterized by a specialized body of knowledge and
skills, an area of operation, a code of ethics, and a certain degree of organization among the
members of the profession.
Concept Professional Social Work
Professional social work is an academic discipline and profession that applies social sciences,
social theories, and research methods to solve social problems and improve the lives of
individuals, families, and communities. It is based on the values of social justice, human
rights, and respect for diversity.
Social work is a profession that focuses on improving the well-being and quality of life of
individuals, families, and communities. Professional social workers work in a wide range of
settings, including healthcare, education, social services, and community organizations. They
offer a range of services to their clients, including counseling, advocacy, and support.
Definitions:
According to the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), 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" (IFSW, 2021).
According to Friedlander (1955), “Social work is a professional service, based on scientific
knowledge and skill in human relations, which assist individuals alone or in-groups, to
obtain, social and personal satisfaction and independence.”
According to Indian Conference of Social Work (1957), “Social work is a welfare activity
based on humanitarian philosophy, scientific knowledge and technical skills for helping
individuals or groups or community to live a rich and full life.”
Goals of Professional Social Work
The goals of professional social work are to:
1. Promote social justice: social workers strive to promote equality, fairness, and social
justice in society. They work to address structural inequalities and systemic barriers
that prevent individuals and communities from accessing resources and opportunities.
2. Reduce inequality and discrimination: Social workers aim to reduce discrimination
and inequality based on factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age, and
disability. They advocate for policies and programs that promote equity and social
inclusion.
 3. Empower individuals and communities: Social workers work to empower individuals
and communities by helping them build their capacity, access resources, and develop
their own solutions to problems.
4. Enhance well-being and quality of life: Social workers aim to enhance the well-being
and quality of life of individuals, families, and communities by addressing their
physical, emotional, social, and economic needs.
Scope of Professional Social Work
The scope of professional social work is broad and encompasses various areas of practice,
including:
1. Mental health: social workers provide counseling, therapy, and support to individuals
and families dealing with mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, and
trauma.
2. Child welfare: Social workers work with children and families to ensure the safety,
well-being, and permanence of children who are at risk of abuse, neglect, or
separation from their families.
3. Healthcare: Social workers work in hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare settings to
support patients and families dealing with chronic illness, disability, and end-of-life
issues.
4. Education: Social workers work in schools to support students and families dealing
with academic, social, and emotional challenges.
5. Criminal justice: social workers work in correctional facilities and with individuals
involved in the criminal justice system to promote rehabilitation, reintegration, and
community safety.
6. Community development: social workers work with communities to identify their
needs, assets, and resources and to develop strategies for social and economic
development.
Functions of Professional Social Work
The functions of professional social work include the following:
1. Assessment: Social workers conduct assessments to identify clients' needs, strengths,
and resources. They use a range of assessment tools and methods to gather
information about clients' physical, emotional, social, and economic well-being.
2. Planning: Based on the assessment, social workers develop a plan of intervention to
address the clients' needs and achieve their goals. The plan may involve a range of
interventions, including counseling, advocacy, education, and support.
3. Intervention: Social workers provide a range of interventions to support clients in
achieving their goals. These interventions may include counseling, therapy, case
management, advocacy, and referral to community resources.
 4. Evaluation: Social workers evaluate the effectiveness of their

Roles of Social Work

In general, social worker performs the following roles:
1. As a counsellor: the role of counselling is very important and is a very effective tool
in helping the clients. He acts as a counsellor with those clients or individuals who are
under a degree of terror because of their inefficiency to meet the needs of the social
environment. He also plays the role of counsellor in giving service to the clients in
adjusting themselves in different social situations.
2. As a consultant: The social worker gives advice to the people on different types of
problems and their solutions as well as all round development.
3. As a mobilizer: He mobilizes all the services for the welfare of his clients. He, first of
all finds out the economic social, physical, psychological and other resources, which
may be tapped for helping the client and then facilitate these resources for the people.
4. As a programmer: programmes are the tools for a social worker through which he
renders his services. He chalks out different types of programmes for the solution of
people, problems as well as for their socio-economic development.
5. As an advocate: he advocates the cause of people to the government and other related
organisations. He makes them aware with their problems and takes their cause to the
concerned authorities.
6. As a referral: it is not possible to provide all types of services to his clients and when
it needed, he refers to the concerned agencies, organisations and institutions.
7. As an Enabler: He helps people to understand their needs and problems and
knowledge of resources. He arouses in them the discontent with the existing situation
and develops the capacity to deal with that situation.
Functions of Social Work
Social work aims to assist individuals in adjusting to the institutional framework of society
and seeks to modify the framework itself. Social work has four broad functions:
1. Curative functions: Under curative functions, it provides services such as medical,
health, mental health, individual and family counseling, psychiatric, child guidance,
child welfare, services for the welfare of the handicapped and disabled, and
rehabilitative services.
2. Correctional function: It has three broad areas such as
i) individual reform services, which include prison reform, probation, parole,
and other selected services.
ii) Services for strengthening and improving family relationship, welfare
services, school social work, industrial social work.
iii) Services for social reform-employment services, prevention of prohibition,
beggary, prohibition services and removal of untouchability.
 3. Preventive function: it includes prevention of physical and mental diseases and
immunisation of children, health education, social legislation, public assistance, adult
education.
4. Developmental function: It includes rural development programmes, urban
development programmes, educational and recreational services, socio-economic
development, sustainable development and programmes for integration.
Professional social work is a vital profession that seeks to promote social justice, reduce
inequality, and enhance the well-being of individuals, families, and communities. Social
workers work in various settings and with diverse populations, using their skills, knowledge,
and values to help clients achieve their goals. By understanding the concept, definition, goals,
scope, and functions of professional social work, we can appreciate the important role that
social workers play in creating a more just and equitable society.