Social Work is a university-qualified allied health profession. It helps people with disability, and the people around them, live well and take part in the life they want. It looks at the whole person and the world around them.

It's not about fixing someone. It's about asking: what's getting in the way, and what would make life work better?

Every person lives within a bigger picture
A person's wellbeing is shaped by more than their disability. Their health, emotions, relationships, culture, housing, finances and the systems they deal with all play a part. When things are hard, the cause is often a mix of these rather than one thing.

Social workers use a "person-in-environment" approach. This means looking at the person's history, strengths and challenges alongside their family, community and the services in their life. From there, a Social Worker works with the person and their team to work out what's really going on and what will help.

What does a Social Worker actually do?
A Social Worker works alongside the person with disability, their family and their support network. Their role includes:

• Getting to know the person: their story, goals, strengths and what matters to them

• Completing assessments, such as psychosocial, functional capacity, needs, risk and carer assessments, to build a clear picture and inform recommendations

• Providing evidence-based therapeutic support to build emotional resilience, cope with stress and strengthen relationships

• Helping people understand and navigate the NDIS, health, housing, education, employment and other systems

• Supporting families and carers so the person's support network is informed, resourced and sustainable

• Helping during times of crisis, conflict or big life transitions

• Working with other professionals so everyone's support pulls in the same direction

Experts in social functioning
"Social functioning" is a person's ability to connect with others, manage everyday roles and responsibilities, and take part in their community. It covers the skills and supports that give someone a sense of belonging and wellbeing, and building it is at the heart of what social workers do.

How is Social Work different from psychology or OT?
There's real overlap, and that's a good thing. Psychologists focus on psychological needs. Occupational Therapists focus on daily activities and regulation. Social workers can support both, and they add something more: the ability to work across the systems and relationships around a person.

A Social Worker may be the right fit when:

• Someone's situation is complex, with several things affecting each other at once

• A person is missing out on opportunities because systems don't understand their disability

• Family, housing, finances or service gaps are making things harder

• Other supports haven't quite captured the full picture

Is this funded through the NDIS?
Yes. Social work is funded under the NDIS as a Capacity Building support, usually through Improved Daily Living (therapy supports). If you have therapy funding in your plan, you can use it to access a Social Worker like our team at Social Work & Co.

If you're not sure what's included in your or your loved one's plan, your Support Coordinator or Local Area Coordinator can help you check.

Qualified, accountable and ethical
Social workers complete an accredited four-year Bachelor's degree or a two-year qualifying Master's in Social Work, including 1,000 hours of supervised placement. To work in the NDIS, social workers must be members of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW). That means following the AASW Code of Ethics and Practice Standards, and keeping up ongoing professional development and clinical supervision.

What social work is not
Social work is not about taking control of someone's life or making decisions for them. It is grounded in social justice, human rights and respect for diversity. Every person has the right to dignity, choice and a say in the support they receive.