In the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, with industrialization, greater mobility, and the increase in population and the accompanying social problems, it became obvious that both public and private social services needed to be increased if the problems and needs of the public were to be met.

Social welfare has developed slowly over several centuries. It is only within the past few decades, however, that social work has entered the scene as a major aspect of social welfare. In the later part of the nineteenth century humanitarians and other dedicated people, especially women, devoted their time and talents to helping the underprivileged, and began to lay down the groundwork for the development of social work as a profession. (Skidmore, 1997)

Within the past several decades, social work has been developing rapidly, and the importance of the training process is evident. It’s roots go far back, particularly in relation to the efforts in England and the United States of more than a century ago when welfare agencies were created to help families and individuals, especially financially, and also to provide some psychological support. As these services began to increase and become formalized, the need for training became apparent. Professional schools of social work increased in numbers, and most of these programs are integral parts of universities and have become recognized as important centres for providing professional training programs in social work. (Skidmore, 1997)