مهنة العمل الاجتماعي في الأردن

الملخص EN

The study dealt with the required criteria for the profession of social work as outlined by theorists in the area of professionalization, including pioneers of the sociology of professions.

Then, each of the content, dimensions, and application of every criterion on the practice of social work in Jordan was described.

A qualitative research methodology was employed through using many tools to gather needed data.

These tools included reviewing previous literature related to professionalization; reviewing records, documents, and instructions related to social work; interviewing two focus groups.

The first included many instructors of social work or social service in some Jordanian universities and the second included many social workers with long experience in practicing socials work; and visiting many organizations working in the field, as well as interviewing some of its staff.

Findings showed that the required professional criteria for the professionalization of social work in Jordan were either absent, such as the code of ethics, having one or more speciaUzed academic journals, and autonomy of practice.

The rest of the criteria were either existing in a theoretical way or inactivated in a professional manner, such as having a national association for social workers, speciaUzed knowledge, study requirements, and providing service to the pubUc interest.

Consequently, the reaUty of social work in Jordan is closer to a career than a profession which negatively affected the main purpose of social work.

This purpose is related to providing service and empowerment for the pubUc interest, mainly target groups of individuals, groups, organizations, and communities.

Finally, many recommendations were presented to raise the status of social work in Jordan to a professional stage.