Last Updated on December 30, 2022 by Team TSW

Social service and social work are closely related to each other. You must have noticed that there is considerable difference in the way a social work professional uses these words and the way a layman uses them. You being a student should learn to use them as professional would use them. In this article we are going to learn what is social service. How social service is important for social work and what are the differences between Social Work and Social Service.

What is Social Work

Social work is a specialized kind of work – honorary or paid, done by making use of scientific knowledge and technical skills with humane and democratic outlook, to render help to people in need to enable them to realize their potentials optimally, to perform their social roles effectively and to live in a free, decent and dignified manner, particularly by introducing required changes in personality as well as social structure.

Read what is social work in detail

What is Social Service

Social services refer any aid or assistance provided to society to enable its members to perform effectively as a citizen. In other words, it consists of all efforts to improve the human resources of the society. Social services thus are those services which are envisaged and provided by society to its members. To enable them to develop optimally, help them to function effectively and to lead life of decency, dignity, and liberty. These services directly benefit all the members of society, irrespective of their religion, caste, race, language, region, culture etc.

The two other terms used in literature are: public services and social welfare services. A finer distinction between ‘public services’ and ‘social services’ is that the former are envisaged and organized by the state. The latter are envisioned and provided by people in society as enlightened persons for promoting human and social development. Despite this fine distinction both the terms are quite often used inter- changeably and taken as synonyms of each other.

At present when the state is gradually withdrawing from social sector leaving every thing to market forces/ corporations or corporate bodies or organizations and civil society organizations, it is more appropriate to use the term ‘social services’ instead of public service. Social welfare services are those ‘social/public services’ which are specifically for weaker and vulnerable sections of society to enable them to effectively compete with other sections of society to join the mainstream.

Examples of Social Service

• Giving old clothes to flood victims or needy people.
• Giving alms to poor.
• Donating ration at old age homes.
• Winter shelter homes.

Feature of Social Service

The characteristic features of social services are as under:

1. Social/public services are visualized and organized by society/state.
2. These services directly benefit all sections of society.
3. These services have a very wide scope. On every thing that has a direct bearing on the quality of life of people.
4. These services aim at promoting human and social development. Protecting human rights of people and creating a sense of duty among them towards society .

Importance of Social Service for Social Work

1. Social work is concerned with promoting human and social development .
2. Social work seeks to enhance effective social functioning and create new social institutions. These new institutions further help people to optimally realize their potentials and effectively contribute.
3. Social work aims at promoting ‘sustainable’ development by conserving and developing environment. This help leave enough resources for future generations and also enable them to lead proper life.

Difference

Social Service	Social Work
Social Service is as a temporary assistance. e.g. Donating ration in old age home.	Social worker with the help of relevant social work methods provides permanent solution to problems
It is a charity work. no need of specialized training.	It is a professional service and social worker before becoming social worker attains degree/diploma in social work discipline.
No remuneration.	Social worker gets remuneration for providing services as only trained professionals can practice this profession
Any individual, government can practice social services.	Only trained individuals can practice social work

Conclusion

Social service is immediate relief of certain problems society is facing. Social service is the temporary service given to an individual or group in cash or in kind. It does not help a person to help himself. We need a good mind to help a person who is in need of our help.