when did social work start in the uk
History of social work 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.[8] (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.)
Workhouse The 1948 National Assistance Act abolished the last vestiges of the Poor Law, and with it the workhouses.[92] Many of the workhouse buildings were converted into retirement homes run by the local authorities;[94] slightly more than half of local authority accommodation for the elderly was provided in former workhouses in 1960.[95] Camberwell workhouse (in Peckham, South London) continued until 1985 as a homeless shelter for more than 1,000 men, operated by the Department of Health and Social Security and renamed a resettlement centre.[96] Southwell workhouse, now a museum, was used to provide temporary accommodation for mothers and children until the early 1990s.[97]