Social Work - A Practice Based Profession

Abstract

Social Work Profession has spanned many decades and has evolved tremendously over those decades. It is passing through a very critical period mainly because of rapid and startling alterations through the globe. In the 21^st century, globalization leads to changes that challenge social work practice and social work education. In India, the social work education has completed more than seven decades. As a discipline of study in the university department and affiliated, private, government colleges and deemed universities, social work has established its own mark. Social work is an international profession and similarly social work education internationally has always embraced both academic and practical components. Social work education exists within the national education systems of all the country, but the content, the pedagogy, and the practice may differ from one country to another. Social work education comprises of a theoretical component taught in the classroom and field- based education involving integration of the academic aspect and practice. It can be said that theory without practice is empty and practice without theory is meaningless. Field work practicum is the heart and soul of social work education and social work profession.Fieldwork, which is also known as field instruction, field placement, field education, practicum or internship is therefore an integral component of social work education. The present article throws some light on Field Work Practicum in Social Work - its Role and Importance in Social Work Education and Training, Field Work Supervision, etc.

Keywords: Field Work, Social Work Education, Supervision