The Function of Social Work

Abstract

• Summary: The author uses the systems theory of Niklas Luhmann to provide a concise description of the evolution of the forms of social help from the level of interaction (archaic society) to that of organizations (modern society). • Findings: The most important result is that social work can be seen as a social system (function-system) with its own exclusive function that cannot be replaced by any other (function-) system. The reason for this is that every function-system of society occurs as a special kind of communication. Through the identification of an exclusive code of communication the present work demonstrates that professional social work is an essential function-system of society. Social work expands self-referentially, and without internal constraints, by continuously scanning the environment for those already in need as well as for potential new cases of need. • Applications : Modern social workers have to reflect their daily actions. This can be shown with the help of some historical and sociological knowledge of the forms of mutual help. By integrating some of the discoveries that are introduced here into the research and curricula of social work, the present work raises the level of the current debate and provokes a detailed discussion of the future of social work in modern society.