Soc301 Final Term Latest Past Papers 2025

The Evolution of Social Work: A Historical Overview

Helping those in need has been a fundamental part of human society since ancient times. Most major religions, which originated thousands of years ago, emphasize the importance of supporting the poor and vulnerable. Thus, the roots of social work can be traced back to these early charitable activities performed by individuals and communities. In Western history, the earliest recorded form of organized social work dates back to the 3rd century AD, following the legalization of Christianity by Roman Emperor Constantine.


During this time, the Christian Church started setting up places like hospitals, homes for older people, orphanages, and shelters for the poor. These services were supported by funding from the Roman Empire. By the 6th century, the Church had developed a well-organized system for distributing food and essential goods to those in need, laying the groundwork for future social welfare systems.

Fast forward to the 19th century, the industrial revolution dramatically transformed societies in England and the United States, but it also created numerous social problems. These included widespread poverty, outbreaks of disease, mental health issues, prostitution, and other challenges stemming from rapid urbanization and economic change. As a result, the demand for formal social work increased significantly to address these complex issues.

The Beveridge Report and Social Welfare Reforms

Before the mid-20th century, efforts to combat poverty and social issues were often fragmented and lacked coordination. In June 1941, Sir William Beveridge was commissioned to conduct a thorough review of existing national insurance and social welfare programs in the United Kingdom. He put together all his research into a detailed report, which was given to the British Parliament in 1942.

The Beveridge Report became the foundation for a modern social security system. After World War II, the British government began implementing many of its recommendations. In 1946, the government introduced the Family Allowances Scheme to help families with children financially. Then, in 1948, the National Health Service (NHS) was created to provide free healthcare to everyone. Several other measures, such as the National Insurance and Industrial Injuries Acts, were enacted in 1948 to further protect workers and vulnerable populations. The Ministry of National Insurance was created in 1949 to manage these programs. Because of these changes, the old Poor Law system was ended in 1948 with the passing of the National Assistance Act, which was a big change in how social welfare was handled.     

The Development of Social Work in America

In the United States, early social work efforts focused heavily on addressing poverty through research, reforms, and providing direct assistance. Social workers helped poor communities by providing education, legal help, and healthcare services. By 1913, the settlement house movement had spread across 32 states with over 400 settlement houses dedicated to improving the lives of the poor.

As the 20th century progressed, social work began evolving into a more defined profession. Despite the increasing number of social reform movements and educational programs, the professional status of social work was debated. In 1915, Dr. Abraham Flexner argued that social work did not yet qualify as a true profession because it lacked a distinct theoretical foundation and scientific approach.

In response, social workers began to emphasize casework and applied scientific methods in their practice. In 1918, the American Association of Hospital Social Workers was started to improve education and training for social workers. By 1929, although social work faced competition from the field of psychology, ten university programs were actively training social workers with a more scientific understanding of mental health and behavior management.

National Planning Commission and Social Welfare in Developing Countries

In many developing nations, governments recognized the need for coordinated social welfare planning. For example, in 1953, a government-established Planning Board was tasked with drafting a comprehensive economic development plan. Within this board, a social welfare section was created to study social challenges arising from economic changes and modernization.

This section’s responsibilities included reviewing existing social policies, laws, and programs to better meet the needs of the population. Eventually, this group evolved into the National Planning Commission, which played a critical role in shaping social welfare strategies aligned with broader economic goals.

The Role of Voluntary Organizations and the National Council of Social Welfare

In 1956, the government established the National Council of Social Welfare to support and strengthen voluntary groups involved in social service delivery. The council’s mission was to encourage and support the welfare activities of non-governmental groups by providing funding and expert guidance.

Following the establishment of this national council, similar councils were created at the provincial or regional levels to enhance coordination and expansion of voluntary welfare services. These councils acted as facilitators to strengthen community-based efforts in addressing social problems.

Relationship Between Social Work and Political Science

Political science examines how people organize themselves into political units and the role of government in managing social, economic, moral, cultural, and religious affairs. Through legislation, many social problems can be mitigated or resolved.

Social work intersects with political science as it studies how individuals, groups, and communities interact and how policies and programs can be designed to promote inclusive growth and social development. Social workers often engage in policy analysis and advocacy to align social welfare initiatives with community needs.

Social Anthropology and Its Influence on Social Work

Social anthropology studies early human societies and their cultural behaviors. It investigates cultural practices, traditions, values, and social norms that satisfy physical and psychological needs.

In social work education, knowledge of anthropology helps students understand the customs and social structures of tribal or indigenous populations. This cultural insight enables social workers to design culturally appropriate interventions and solutions tailored to the unique problems faced by these communities.

Sociological Theories and Their Application in Social Work

Sociology has played a major role in shaping the principles and practices of social work. It studies the complex interactions within society, including families, communities, religious groups, and nations. Sociological methods often draw from natural sciences to analyze social structures and processes.

The emergence of professional social work and sociology in 19th-century Europe marked a significant development. Sociology’s focus on societal roles, statuses, authority, power, rights, and responsibilities provides a theoretical framework that social workers use when designing interventions at various levels, from individuals to organizations and communities.

Conclusion

The history of social work is deeply intertwined with the evolution of human civilization, religion, and social reform. From early charitable acts in ancient times to the establishment of formal institutions in the Roman Empire, and from industrial-age social challenges to the creation of modern welfare states, Social work has constantly evolved to address the changing demands and challenges faced by communities.

The professionalization of social work in the 20th century, especially in countries like the United States and the United Kingdom, brought scientific rigor and educational standards to the field. Integration with related disciplines such as political science, anthropology, and sociology has enriched social work’s theoretical foundation and practical effectiveness.

Today, social work remains a vital profession dedicated to improving individual lives and fostering social justice. By drawing on its historical roots and interdisciplinary knowledge, social work continues to evolve and respond to new social challenges across the globe.