The mission of the social work profession Essay

The mission of the social work profession is embedded in a set of core values. These core values, encompassed by social workers throughout the profession's history, are the foundation of social work's unique purpose and perspectives. A historic and defining feature of social work is the profession's focus on individual well-being in a social context and the well-being of society. Fundamental to social work is the attention to the environmental forces that create, contribute to and address problems in living. Social workers promote social justice and social change with and on behalf of clients also seek to promote the responsiveness of organizations, communities, and other social institutions to individuals' needs and social problems. According to the NASW Code of Ethics, the ethical principle of service is that "social workers' primary goal is to help people in need and to address social issues that impact the progress of individuals in a positive direction. Social workers elevate services to others above their self-interest. Social workers draw on their knowledge, values, and skills to help people in need and to address social problems. Social workers are encouraged to volunteer some portion of their professional skills with no expectation of significant financial return (pro bono service). The Ethical principle for social justice according to the NASW code of ethics is that Social workers challenge social injustice. Social workers pursue social change, particularly with and on behalf of vulnerable and oppressed individuals and groups of people. Social workers' social change efforts are focused primarily on issues of poverty, unemployment, discrimination, and other forms of social injustice. These activities seek to promote sensitivity to and knowledge about oppression and cultural and ethnic diversity. Social workers strive to ensure access to needed information, services, and resources equality of opportunity and meaningful participation in decision-making for all people, (NASW, 2008).
Cross-Disability is a belief that people with different types of disabilities have more in common than not and in an effort to challenge the course of change is by working together. It is a concept firmly founded on the principle that all people have the right to live, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness, regardless of age or ability. Without cross-disability involvement, we cannot guarantee that all voices are heard or valued. Furthermore, because society believes there is no hierarchy of disability and everyone has a right to be treated equally with respect for our strengths, skills and abilities, whatever those may be. Cross-Disability holds value for everyone in a manner that does not discriminate, but rather it incorporates a system of interdependence and mutual support as we work together to realize accessible, accommodating and inclusive communities. Regardless of disability type, we all face civil rights and social justice issues. We all need jobs, healthcare, transportation, housing, etc. We all want to be part of the community. While people with specific disability types might have specific issues --we all need access. Engaging and strengthening the commonalities of the cross-disability community makes all systems more robust and resilient.