Social Work 101

Social work as an academic and professional discipline was established in the late 1800s, with the first institutionally-based classes taking place in New York City. Many early social workers were activists, educators, artists, and community organizers who did not hold the official “social work” title but embodied the very essence of the field. They dedicated themselves to addressing the needs of children and adults who were impoverished or in vulnerable circumstances.

By the mid-20th century, as with other helping professions, a need to standardize necessary skill sets, ethical standards, and knowledge of a professional social worker resulted in the formation of the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). The same organization still evaluates schools of social work today, granting accreditation where they meet the outlined requirements. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) was established for a similar purpose, but with a focus on social work standards more broadly, and as related to licensure.

Image source: The New York Public Library. (1874). New York City--The Five Points House of Industry--the children's playing-hour Retrieved from https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/510d47e1-2877-a3d9-e040-e00a18064a99

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While our school of social work was not formally founded until 1960, its impact and roots date back to the first half of the twentieth century.

During the 80s and 90s, NYU School of Social Work rose through the ranks and became an epicenter institution for response efforts in New York City, addressing issues such as violence and trauma, end-of-life care, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This leadership continued in the 2000s with the mental health and social service response to the 9/11 attacks, Hurricane Sandy, the COVID-19 pandemic and more. 

In 2007, The School of Social Work was renamed The Silver School of Social Work in honor of NYU alumni Dr. Constance and Martin Silver. NYU Silver’s commitment to social justice, innovative teaching and clinical excellence continues today. Each year, NYU Silver prepares  800 plus students at the bachelors, masters and doctoral levels to make an impact and address critical issues and policies that affect our local and global communities.

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The NASW Code of Ethics sets forth the following core values and their related ethical principles to which all social workers should aspire to in their work:

• Service

• Social justice

• Dignity and worth of the person

• Importance of human relationships

• Integrity

• Competence

To be a social worker is to be a listener, advocate, educator, and lifelong learner!

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Social workers serve everyone! They aim to enhance overall well-being and help meet basic and complex needs of people and communities. They promote and support social change, development, cohesion and individual and collective empowerment. Social workers work with a wide variety of populations, particularly those who are vulnerable, marginalized, oppressed, and living in poverty. The following are just some examples: 

• Children and adolescents
• Aging individuals 
• Couples and families 
• Individuals with disabilities 
• Justice impacted individuals 
• Veterans
• Individuals experiencing poverty or homelessness
• Individuals dealing with addiction
• Students 
• LGBTQIA2S+ 
• Refugees and immigrants 
• Victims of trauma and/or violence 
• Culturally and racially marginalized communities

Depending on the needs of their clients, agency, and role, Social workers might:

• Assess clients, develop treatment plans, and evaluate progress
• Identify resources and advocate for clients
• Provide direct services such as counseling and case management
• Engage in research, analysis and community organization
• and much more

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Social workers can be found in a variety of employment settings, with specializations often determining where and how they work. Some may spend time in an office, although visiting clients offsite is also common. Those in child, school, and family social worker roles may experience schedule changes and travel more than their healthcare counterparts. Ultimately, the skills social workers learn in their education allow them to work in various settings.

Among the many places social workers are commonly employed are hospitals, mental health clinics, schools, prisons, senior centers, addiction treatment facilities, government agencies, corporations and social services organizations. Licensed clinical social workers can also set up private practices where they work with clients to address relationship problems, personality disorders, mental illnesses or other concerns.

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In your research on social work, you may have come across the terms “Micro,” “Macro,” and “Mezzo” social work. These are names for the 3 primary levels of social work intervention, which start the level of the individual and expand outward from there. At NYU Silver, students study all three of these levels and how they intersect, learning skills to be successful at all intervention levels! 

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