IFSW (International Federation of Social Workers) and IASSW (The definition approved by the General Assembly of the International Association of Social Work Schools in 2014 and accepted on a global scale is as follows.

"Social service; It is a practice-based specialization as well as an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social integration, empowerment and emancipation of people. Social work centers on the principles of social justice, human rights, shared responsibility and respect for differences. Backed by social work theories, humanities, social sciences, and local knowledge, social work works with people and structures to tackle life challenges and promote well-being. This definition of social work can be developed at the national and/or regional levels.”

Main Purposes of Social Services

As can be understood from the definition above, the main objectives of social work studies are;

Social change and development,
social integration,
It can be listed as enabling people to be empowered and liberated.

The purpose of social change; It arose from the need to oppose and change the structural conditions that cause oppression, social exclusion and marginalization.

Social development prioritizes social-structural and economic development and disapproves of the traditional view that economic growth is a prerequisite for social development.

It is necessary to explore the structural sources of oppressions or privileges arising from criteria such as race, class, religion, language, gender, disability, culture, develop critical understanding, and develop action-oriented strategies to point out structural and individual barriers. This attitude is central to the practice of liberating and empowering people.

Social work strives to alleviate poverty, liberate oppressed and vulnerable groups, and ensure social inclusion and social cohesion, in solidarity with those in need of assistance.

Basic Principles of Social Services

Again, starting from the definition above, the basic principles of social services are;

Human rights,
social justice,
joint responsibility,
It can be listed as respect for differences.

Defending human rights and social justice are the main principles for the legitimacy and universality of social services. A career in social work is actually showing and accepting that personality rights coexist with a sense of shared responsibility.

In cases where certain cultural rights (such as the rights of women and homosexuals) are violated, the principles of "do no harm" and "respect for differences" may conflict with each other. To tackle such complex issues, the National Standards for Social Work Education and Training promote a focus on fundamental personality rights in the teaching of social workers.

This approach; where cultural identities, beliefs and values violate fundamental human rights, it can make it easier to oppose and change them. Because culture is socially constructed and dynamic, it is subject to restructuring and change. Such constructive challenges, restructuring and change can be made possible by understanding and being sensitive to cultural values, beliefs and traditions, and by developing a critical and thoughtful dialogue about human rights among group members.

Who is a Social Worker?

Social worker; in short, providing, repairing, protecting and developing psycho-social functionality by improving the problem solving and coping skills of the individual, family, group and society; is a professional staff member who implements social work-specific methods and techniques by making use of theories related to human behavior and social systems in order to support social change, to plan and implement social policies and programs in order to meet human desires and needs.

What is the Department of Social Services?

Social services; It is an academic discipline and field of study that covers everyone from individuals to families, from families to communities, which are the most basic elements that make up the social structure in order to increase the duties of people and general welfare in social terms.

How many years is the Social Services Department Education?

Social services education department provides services under the Faculties of Economics and Administrative Sciences of Universities. The program includes two different preference options. Although both parts are called by the same name, only one 2 years Social Services Program. The other department is Social Services, which is a 4-year undergraduate department.

What are the Social Services Department Courses?

Social Services Department students during their education;

Introduction to Social Work,
Basic Care Services,
Human Behavior and Social Environment,
Work Ethics
Sociology,
Social Service Legislation,
Social Security,
Psychology,
Human Behavior and Social Environment,
Social Work Theories,
Social Policy,
The basic concepts of law,
Social Work with Family and Child,
Social Service for the Disabled,
Planning Disabled Care and Rehabilitation,
Social Services for Migrants and Asylum Seekers,
Social Anthropology,
Mental Health and Disorders,

And they have to successfully complete similar courses and practices.

What are the Job Opportunities for Graduates of the Department of Social Services?

Graduates of social services can find work in many institutions and organizations operating in the field of social services, some of which are listed below;

State Planning Organization,
Family Research Institute,
General Directorate of Youth and Sports,
Social Assistance and Solidarity Foundations,
Child Protection Institutions,
prisons,
Juvenile Courts,
Pension fund,
Social insurance Institution,
Private Child Care Centers,
Private or State Hospitals,
nursing homes,
Shelters,
Non-Governmental Organizations,

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What is Social Services?