Social Workers, Organisations and the State

Abstract

Contemporary social work in the member states of the EC has developed in the context of a range of cultural and philosophical traditions and socio-economic conditions (see Chapter 2). This chapter considers some aspects of the organisational bases from which social work is practised, and related issues concerning the training and professional status of social workers; it also attempts to identify some of the similarities and contrasts. An indication will be given of the relative importance of the different sectors involved in provision of social services and in which social workers are employed. Thus we will consider the roles of the state, the Church, the voluntary sector (non-profit making, non-governmental organisations), the private (commercial) sector, and the informal sector (including self-help groups) in selected countries (Greece, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Spain and the Netherlands) and some general themes will be identified.