What is social work?

One of the qualities of social work is that, in order to respond to a continuously changing society, it must be dynamic and evolving, and therefore no definition should be regarded as exhaustive.

The most recent definition describes the social work profession as promoting social change, problem-solving in human relationships and the empowerment and liberation of people to enhance their well-being.

Social work seeks to help people in a professional way, using theories of human behaviour and social systems to intervene at the points where people interact with their environments. Principles of human rights and social justice are fundamental to social work.

Due to the dynamic nature of social work, definitions are hard to pin down and risk limiting its scope. For this reason, definitions are constantly re-examined and discussed. In fact, the above definition was adopted by the International Federation of Social Workers’ general meeting in Montréal, Canada, in July 2000.

The role of social work in Europe

The phenomenon of Europeanisation influences our society in no small way. As a result of these changes, the social work profession is faced with key questions: is social work responding to these changes? What are the needs of people emerging from a European context? What is being expected of the profession? And above all – considering that social work relies heavily on the support of central authorities – does Europe envisage a place for social work?

Many of these questions can only be answered by time. But we can, however, obtain an insight into some of the questions by looking at some of the social policies that exist or are being formulated in Europe.

European social policies

The European Union:

The social policy objectives defined in the EC Treaty and included in the text of the European Constitution were inspired by the 1961 European Social Charter and the 1989 Community Charter of the Fundamental Social Rights of Workers: promoting employment, improving working conditions, proper social protection, social dialogue, workforce training to achieve a high and sustainable level of employment and combating exclusion.

Moreover, according to a general clause created by the Constitution – which is

currently in the process of ratification – the Union must, in the definition and implementation of its policies and actions, guarantee proper social protection and combat social exclusion.

The inclusion of the Charter of Fundamental Rights in the European Constitution reinforces the social dimension of Europe but does not create additional powers for the Union. However, it must be respected in the acts of the member states and institutions when they implement EU law.

In the new system of powers created by the Constitution, social policy is a shared competence. Depending on the area in question, three cases are possible:

• a European law or framework law establishes measures to encourage cooperation between member states through initiatives aimed at improving knowledge, developing exchanges of information and best practices, promoting innovative approaches and evaluating experiences (the open method of coordination);

• a European framework law establishes minimum requirements, once the Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions have been consulted;

• a European law or framework law establishes minimum requirements adopted unanimously by the Council, having consulted the European Parliament, the Committee of the Regions and the Economic and Social Committee.

The Council of Europe:

The revised Strategy defines social cohesion as follows: the capacity of a society to ensure the welfare of all its members, minimising disparities and avoiding polarisation. A cohesive society is a mutually supportive community of free individuals

pursuing these common goals by democratic means.

The Strategy sets out a human rights-based approach to social cohesion, but notes that the legal protection of rights has to be accompanied by determined social policy measures to ensure that, in practice, everyone has access to their rights.

There has to be a particular commitment to making a reality of the rights of those who are at particular risk of becoming vulnerable, such as children and young

people, migrants and ethnic minorities, people with

disabilities and the elderly.

At the same time, it is recognised that exclusive emphasis on the rights of the individual cannot form a sufficient basis for social cohesion. A society is cohesive when people also accept responsibility for one another.

It is therefore necessary to rebuild a sense of society, of belonging, of commitment to shared social goals.

The Strategy goes on to show how the state, economic actors, civil society and families all have an essential part to play in maintaining and strengthening social cohesion.

One of the priorities for the Council of Europe on Social Cohesion is improving access for all members of society to fundamental social rights, and in this respect it identifies the need for personal social services as a key factor in meeting the complex needs of people in situations of social exclusion or at risk of exclusion.

Work with children and families, employment, housing, work with the elderly and vulnerable and social protection are all priority areas that are also highlighted by the Committee and are all areas in which social work has played a central role.

Among several other examples of common scopes between the Social Cohesion strategy of the Council of Europe and social work is: “Hearing the voice of the excluded”. Here, organisations working directly with people in situations of poverty and exclusion are identified as having shown how the voice of the powerless can contribute ideas of real value to the policy-making process.

Social work making a difference

Having vulnerable or oppressed people’s voices heard is something towards which social work has been working for several years.

In Malta, the practice of fully involving people receiving social work services is still in formation. In order to foster better practice, The Malta Association of Social Workers (MASW) will be holding a seminar on Service User Involvement (To Get There Together – A Culture of Partnership). The seminar will be held on 22 November at the Mediterranean Conference Centre as part of the civil society meeting preceding the CHOGM. Participation is free of charge.

Social work promotes social cohesion by striving to alleviate poverty and to liberate vulnerable and oppressed people in solidarity with those who are dis-advantaged. MASW believes that social workers should, in a helpful, person-focused way, compliment and inform social policies. However, in the final analysis, what must not be forgotten is that social work is about people – their lives, their stories, their pain, their losses and their successes.

It is, above all, about

people’s lives with each other and their communities. It is precisely this human message that the MASW would like to convey to all its readers through today’s press release.

We believe that this approach can make the whole difference. This is why we believe that, through the values of respect for the equality, worth, and dignity of all people, social work is truly making a positive difference to the lives of people, and these quotes are our witness.

As social workers we thank all those colleagues, professionals, authorities and benefactors who have believed in and supported the profession. As social workers we thank the people who have left us with these and similar inspiring words to give us the courage to continue our work. As human beings we thank them for sharing their lives, experience and wisdom with us. Finally, we hope we have been able to bring across an informative, helpful and positive message.

Anthea Agius, Communications Officer Maltese Association of Social Workers