The role of a social worker in care and support systems

Social workers are being encouraged to take part in a series of webinars to explore their role in protecting and promoting human rights-based care and support systems.

The four-part virtual series, running from 26 March to 16 April, will explore the essential role of social work in care and support systems, addressing critical themes such as human rights, working conditions, and political opportunities for strengthening care structures.

“Care and support are fundamental to social justice, human dignity, and the well-being of societies. This CPD series provides a crucial opportunity for social workers to deepen their understanding, exchange perspectives, and strengthen their role in shaping inclusive care and support systems,” said Priska Fleischlin, IFSW Global UN Commissioner.

“Care and support systems are deeply interconnected with social work, which plays a multifaceted and indispensable role. Social workers operate and facilitate at the intersection of care and support provision, policy development, and community advocacy. In the care and support sector, they address the complex and evolving needs of individuals and families, including supporting persons in vulnerable situations as children, older persons, and persons with disabilities and mental health problems.

“Their work extends beyond direct care and support to include crisis intervention, the coordination of services, and advocacy for systemic change to improve the accessibility and quality of care and support services. By leveraging their holistic and ecological approaches, social workers play an important role in building partnerships that create change and promote rights and opportunities for all, including through ensuring to those requiring care and support, supporting unpaid carers/supporters, and promoting decent work for care and support workers.

“Moreover, social workers bring a unique perspective to the ongoing global debate on care and support work by emphasizing its profound social and economic significance. Rooted in human rights and principles of social justice and human dignity, social work highlights the inequalities often faced by care and support workers, who are predominantly women and disproportionately represented by migrant and marginalized communities. Through research, policy advocacy, and practice, social workers contribute to reframing care and support work as a public good and a cornerstone of societal well-being. They amplify the voices of both people requiring care and support and people providing care and support, advocating for fair wages, improved working conditions, and recognition of care and support as vital to sustainable development and social cohesion. By linking the lived experiences of individuals, families, and groups to broader policy discussions, social work ensures that the development of care and support systems aligns with the principles of leaving no one behind, human rights-based, state accountability and universality, reinforcing their role as an essential pillar of resilient societies.

Joachim Mumba, IFSW President, emphasised the relevance of this course for social workers globally.

“The challenges in care and support systems affect every community. Social workers are at the forefront, ensuring that care is recognised as a human right,” Mumba said. “[This course] will empower professionals to advocate for equitable policies and sustainable, shared futures.”