Perceptions of the "role" of the social worker in Malta

Abstract

Social work as a profession is a commitment to help people. With this concept in mind I chose to write my study on "Perceptions of the role of the Social Worker in Malta". For people involved in social work this concept is, or ideally should always be, the basic drive which motivates them. Organised social work is a fairly recent phenomenon which is being highlighted in many countries. Malta is no exception. In fact in March 1990 the Ministry for Social Policy drafted a white paper entitled "A caring Society in a Changing World", which sets down "proposals for a social welfare strategy for the nineties and beyond". The social worker meets a great variety of social problems and his/her main task is to help his/her clients to learn how to tackle their particular problem. It is within the competence of the social worker to adapt his/her learnt skills and techniques to the particular circumstances of each client. '!hen the efforts of both social worker and his/her client are targeted to achieve the same purpose. The professional role of a social worker is to help the client to explore all options and to help support the client to carry out the required actions once the best option has been decided on by the client. The reason for choosing this topic is to highlight the role of the social worker as perceived by social workers themselves and by their clients mainly within the parameters of a governmental organisation. Despite the limitations inherent in such a study, the results may serve to increase understanding of the problems facing social work in Malta. 'The implementation of Government strategies and policies can be more effectively professional if based on empirical analysis. In this way, the association of realistic policy with practice will help in strengthening the effectiveness of social work practice.