Social work is a profession that administers a wide range of social services and programs. Specially trained persons called social workers provide counseling, support, guidance, and other services to people in need. The goal of such assistance by social workers is to help people resolve their psychological and social problems and attain their full potential. Social workers also try to improve living conditions by participating in programs to prevent such problems as drug addiction, mental illness, poor housing, and neglect or abuse of children or the elderly.
Most social work programs are financed by government agencies or private organizations. Most social workers are employed in family service agencies, hospitals, clinics, drug abuse centers, nursing homes, settlement houses, schools, prisons, and various business offices and industrial workplaces. Some social workers have a private practice and provide counseling for a fee.
