A. Licensing laws define a scope of practice that specifies methods practitioners may use, services practitioners provide and often the setting in which professionals practice. Social workers address problems as varied as substance abuse, family conflicts, workplace tensions, health problems, disabilities, mental illness, inadequate housing, poverty, and violence. Social workers are involved almost every day in almost every jurisdiction in sensitive, difficult and high-risk activities. Social workers work directly with individuals and families, as well as in public policy, administration, research, community organizing and advocacy. Professional social workers are the nation's largest group of mental health services providers.
Federal law recognizes social work as one of the four core mental health professions.
Social Workers Are There to Help sums up our readiness to respond to need and crisis. Our commitment to help and our devotion to our work is demonstrated through our professional education and professional practice. A. Social work licensing helps protect those who are not able to protect themselves. Clients of many social workers, particularly those in public agencies, are not people who are well-equipped to weigh the qualifications of those to whom they must turn to help. Without the standards set by licensure, poorly-educated or incapable persons performing social work functions may do intentional or accidental harm.