A History of Social Work: Major Milestones
In this blog post, we explore the rich history of social work, highlighting the major events that have contributed to the development of the profession over the last 135 years. Each event demonstrates how previous generations of social workers have shaped and influenced the modern profession.
Wherever you are in your career—whether you’ve just left university and recently qualified or have been practising for years and are considering moving from permanent to agency work—Portman Recruitment is here to understand your professional world. We believe it is important to remember the challenges, petitions, and parliamentary acts that have shaped the profession today, thanks to the dedication of past and present social workers.
1884 – NSPCC Founded
The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) was established to protect children from abuse and help those affected recover.
1890 – The Lunacy Act
The Lunacy Act ensured care and protection for individuals suffering from mental illness.
Read more about The Lunacy Act.
1897 – National Association of Social Workers in Education Forms
The association aimed to support social workers in education by providing training and development opportunities.
Learn more here.
1902 – Dame Eileen Younghusband Born
Dame Eileen Younghusband played a significant role in developing social work systems and institutions through her research and reports.
Notable Works Include:
- 1st Carnegie Report (1947): Report on the Employment and Training of Social Workers
- 2nd Carnegie Report (1950): Report of the Working Party on Social Workers
- Younghusband Report (1959): Report of the Working Party on Social Workers in Local Authority Health and Welfare Services
- Younghusband, E. (ed.) (1965): Social Work with Families
- Younghusband, E. (ed.) (1966): New Developments in Casework
- Younghusband, E. (ed.) (1967): Social Work and Social Values
- Younghusband, E. (ed.) (1968): Education for Social Work
Read more about Dame Eileen Younghusband.
1903 – First University-Based Social Work Training at LSE
The London School of Economics (LSE) became the first university to offer formal training for social workers.
1929 – Association of Psychiatric Social Workers Forms
This association was formed following the establishment of a mental health training course at LSE, marking a significant step toward professionalising mental health social work.
1935 – British Federation of Social Workers Forms
The federation became the Association of Social Workers in 1936. It played a crucial role in shaping the profession and later merged with six other organisations in 1970 to form the British Association of Social Workers (BASW), a leading voice for social workers in the UK and beyond.
Learn more here.
1954 – Society of Mental Welfare Officers Forms
The society formed by merging the National Association of Authorised Officers and the Mental Health Workers’ Association, aimed to improve mental health services and training.
1961 – National Institute for Social Work Forms
The National Institute for Social Work operated in the UK and abroad, offering services aimed at improving social work practice and management.
1962 – The Council for Training in Social Work Forms
The Council was responsible for promoting high standards of education and training for social workers across the UK. In 1970, it was renamed the Central Council for Education and Training in Social Work (CCETSW), operating until 2001 when its functions passed to new care councils:
- General Social Care Council (GSCC) (closed in 2012)
- Scottish Social Services Council (SSSC)
- Care Council for Wales (CCW)
- Northern Ireland Social Care Council (NISCC)
1968 – Social Work Scotland Act
The Social Work Scotland Act provided a framework for promoting social welfare in Scotland, addressing issues such as restrictions on prosecuting children and the establishment of children’s panels.
Learn more about the act.
1971 – Social Workers’ Benevolent Trust Forms
Established by BASW, this trust provides financial support to social workers in need.
Learn more here.
1975 – BASW Code of Ethics Created
BASW introduced a ground-breaking Code of Ethics, which all members must sign, covering areas such as ethics, human rights, professional integrity, and risk management.
1988 – Diploma in Social Work Replaces CQSW
The Diploma in Social Work became the standard qualification, replacing the Certificate of Qualification in Social Work (CQSW).
2000 – Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need
The framework provided a systematic approach to assessing the needs of children and determining the best services to support them and their families.
2008 – Social Work Task Force Established
Following the death of Peter Connelly, the 2020 Children and Young People’s Workforce Strategy recommended the formation of a Social Work Task Force to advise on reforms to recruitment, training, and the quality of social work in England.
2010 – College of Social Work Established
The College of Social Work was created to improve professional standards in social work education and practice.
2012 – The State of Social Work Survey
A BASW survey revealed:
- 85% of social workers experienced service cuts
- 77% reported unmanageable caseloads
- 88% believed lives were at risk due to these cuts
2017 – The Children and Social Work Act
The Act aimed to improve support for looked-after children and enhance social worker regulation.
2019 – Social Work England Becomes the New Regulator
On 2 December 2019, Social Work England took over from the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as the regulator for social workers in England.
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