<P> Professional social work originated in 19th century England , and had its roots in the social and economic upheaval wrought by the Industrial Revolution , in particular the societal struggle to deal with the resultant mass urban - based poverty and its related problems . Because poverty was the main focus of early social work , it was intricately linked with the idea of charity work . ( Today , it is common for social workers to find themselves dealing with consequences arising from other social problems such as racism , sexism , homophobia , and discrimination based on age or on physical or mental disability . ) </P>
<P> Professional social work originated in 19th century England , and had its roots in the social and economic upheaval wrought by the Industrial Revolution , in particular the societal struggle to deal with the resultant mass urban - based poverty and its related problems . Because poverty was the main focus of early social work , it was intricately linked with the idea of charity work . ( Today , it is common for social workers to find themselves dealing with consequences arising from other social problems such as racism , sexism , homophobia , and discrimination based on age or on physical or mental disability . ) </P>
when did social work start in the uk
when did social work start in the uk
19th century
19th century