Definitions of Social Work

Social work practice consists of the professional application of social work values, principles, and techniques to one or more of the following ends: helping people obtain tangible services; counseling and psychotherapy with individuals, families, and groups; helping communities or groups provide or improve social and health services; and participating in legislative processes. The practice of social work requires knowledge of human development and behavior; of social, economic, and cultural institutions; and of the interaction of all these factors. https://www.socialworkers.org/Practice

Macro social work practice also involves environmental scanning to ensure that macro practitioners are responsive to current societal needs and aware of emerging needs. Attending to the needs of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities is a core tenet of macro practice. As needs change, then macro practice models and educational methods should respond in kind. Continuous assessment of the relevance of macro practice is enabled by a general focus on capacity building, developing close relationships with diverse stakeholder groups, and embedding feedback loops into the development and implementation of macro practice initiatives.

The use of collaborative leadership frameworks, in which social work leaders share decision-making with community leaders, may also facilitate overall environmental scanning. It should not be assumed that policymakers and funders are able to accurately gauge and respond effectively to the perspectives of service users, community members, and practitioners. The overall goal is to identify macro practices that address current and anticipated needs regardless of their economic benefits.