What do social workers do?

Social work is a human-centred profession that helps to develop and strengthen people's social and personal potential, improve social systems and networks, and solve and prevent social problems in society.

Where do social workers work?

There are currently over 14,000 registered social workers in Hong Kong. Most of them are employed by the Social Welfare Department and non-governmental organizations to provide professional services for individuals of all ages, families, groups and communities across a wide range of settings, such as educational, medical, rehabilitation, correctional, etc. Social work is a dynamic profession that evolves constantly to closely match societal developments by offering new services, such as for new arrivals, retraining, chronic illness support, AIDS care and support, and urban renewal.

What are their career prospects?

As a developed economy, Hong Kong faces challenges arising from global trends such as globalization of trade and labour, an increasing lack of family cohesion, and an ageing population. New social issues and problems are a constant feature of a dynamic society, so there is always a need for social workers.

Graduates may also decide to take up other human services posts within social services or in the private sector.

Further information

For more details, please visit the website of our Department of Applied Social Sciences at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/apss/.