MSW-001
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
OF SOCIAL WORK
School of Social Work
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi
,Origin and Development of
Social Work
Editor
Prof. Gracious Thomas
School of Social Work
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi
,June, 2010
© Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2010
ISBN: 978-81-266-4571-8
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any
form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in
writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Further information on the Indira Gandhi National Open University
Courses may be obtained from the University’s Office at Maidan
Garhi, New Delhi -110 068.
Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National
Open University, New Delhi by Director, School of Social Work.
Print Production : Mr. Kulwant Singh
Laser Typeset by : Rajshree Computers, V-166A, Bhagwati Vihar,
(Near Sec. 2, Dwarka), New Delhi-110059
Printed by :
, Preface
The discipline of social work has a long history of
evolution from charity-based tradition to the
autonomous profession of today. The concern for
professionalizing and acadamizing social work across
the globe became a significant issue in the beginning
of the twentieth century in the west including Europe
and the US. From the west, social work as a
professional discipline has spread all over the world.
This volume, describes the history of the social work
discipline in various continents of the world; social
work as a profession, its educational dimensions,
values, principles and ethics; and its primary and
secondary methods through the seventeen chapters
written by eminent social work professionals.
‘History of Social Work in Americas’ gives the historical
milestones for social work and social welfare activities
in North America and South America. It is found that
some of the historical aspects are common in both
the continents which were influenced by the
Europeans. Social work education has evolved in
these continents as a response to various social and
cultural perspectives on common problems in human
development.
The chapter on the ‘History of social work in Europe’
has covered social welfare before the Elizabethan
Poor Laws; pre-industrial, modern and postmodern
social welfare in the United Kingdom; and European
social work in the twentieth century and beyond.
The chapter at the end argues, from ancient times to
the present, how voluntary and governmental agencies
will balance responses to those needs, and how social
workers will continue to define their roles as care
providers and advocate for social change.
There are two chapters on the emergence and growth
of social work discipline in Asia and Pacific region. It
ORIGIN AND DEVELOPMENT
OF SOCIAL WORK
School of Social Work
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi
,Origin and Development of
Social Work
Editor
Prof. Gracious Thomas
School of Social Work
Indira Gandhi National Open University
Maidan Garhi, New Delhi
,June, 2010
© Indira Gandhi National Open University, 2010
ISBN: 978-81-266-4571-8
All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced in any
form, by mimeograph or any other means, without permission in
writing from the Indira Gandhi National Open University.
Further information on the Indira Gandhi National Open University
Courses may be obtained from the University’s Office at Maidan
Garhi, New Delhi -110 068.
Printed and published on behalf of the Indira Gandhi National
Open University, New Delhi by Director, School of Social Work.
Print Production : Mr. Kulwant Singh
Laser Typeset by : Rajshree Computers, V-166A, Bhagwati Vihar,
(Near Sec. 2, Dwarka), New Delhi-110059
Printed by :
, Preface
The discipline of social work has a long history of
evolution from charity-based tradition to the
autonomous profession of today. The concern for
professionalizing and acadamizing social work across
the globe became a significant issue in the beginning
of the twentieth century in the west including Europe
and the US. From the west, social work as a
professional discipline has spread all over the world.
This volume, describes the history of the social work
discipline in various continents of the world; social
work as a profession, its educational dimensions,
values, principles and ethics; and its primary and
secondary methods through the seventeen chapters
written by eminent social work professionals.
‘History of Social Work in Americas’ gives the historical
milestones for social work and social welfare activities
in North America and South America. It is found that
some of the historical aspects are common in both
the continents which were influenced by the
Europeans. Social work education has evolved in
these continents as a response to various social and
cultural perspectives on common problems in human
development.
The chapter on the ‘History of social work in Europe’
has covered social welfare before the Elizabethan
Poor Laws; pre-industrial, modern and postmodern
social welfare in the United Kingdom; and European
social work in the twentieth century and beyond.
The chapter at the end argues, from ancient times to
the present, how voluntary and governmental agencies
will balance responses to those needs, and how social
workers will continue to define their roles as care
providers and advocate for social change.
There are two chapters on the emergence and growth
of social work discipline in Asia and Pacific region. It
