Social workers are regulated health professionals who work with clients—individuals, families, groups and communities—to improve individual and collective well-being. They often work in interdisciplinary teams to provide services, share resources, improve conditions and create opportunities for growth, recovery and personal development.
As well as working with clients, social workers respond to social issues and address barriers and injustice within society and organizations. The profession advocates for social justice, human rights and fair access to health and social services.
Because social work is such a vast field, there are many opportunities to specialize in a particular area (e.g. casework, policy and administration, research) practice area (e.g. child welfare, community development, long-term care) or client population (e.g. Indigenous peoples, 2SLGBTQIA+, elderly, newcomers to Canada). Social workers work in treatment teams in general and psychiatric hospitals. They contribute to the care, treatment and rehabilitation of patients. They also provide an important link between the treatment team and families, and help families find community resources.