Journal archive

Abstract: The article deals with the issue of the search of professional identity on the basis of self-organization, which characterized American social work in the first half of the 20th century. The goal is to substantiate the leading role of professional organizations in the rise and development of social work as an intellectual profession. The author analyzes authentic English-language sources (which have not been translated into Russian) on the history of American social work. The main features of the tern ―professionalization‖ are described. The leading role of the first professional organizations of American social workers in the transition of voluntary charity into the status profession is shown. The article outlines the main activities of professional organizations which used to be the prototypes of modern leading professional associations – National Association of Social Workers and Council on Social Work Education. The author shows that they were the major force in the attempt to get unity and greater cohesion for the profession. The main activities of professional organizations are highlighted: the development of professional standards and rules of membership, the search for theoretical basis, common methodology and methods of practice, the adoption of the Code of ethics for professional practice and unification of basic educational training programs for different specializations. Statistical data on the number of members of professional organizations as an indicator of their impact on the improvement of the status of social work as a profession is provided. Special attention is given to the possibilities of improving social work as a profession with the help of self-organization of professionals.