§30-30-1 Purpose. - West Virginia Statutes

§30-30-1. Purpose.
The Legislature finds that the profession of social work profoundly affects the lives of the people of this state.

The profession of social work exists to provide humane and effective social services to individuals, families, groups, communities and society in order that social functioning may be enhanced and the quality of life improved.

Social workers are involved with individuals who are hurt, vulnerable and having difficulty in areas of their lives which are extremely sensitive. Failure to help these individuals, whether through incompetence or irresponsibility, is a serious matter. These individual citizens have the potential to be greatly harmed by the services of ill-prepared and incapable persons acting as social workers. The economic burden of social services which do not give effective aid is a serious social problem.

It is the purpose of this article to protect the public by setting standards of qualification, education, training and experience for those who seek to engage in the practice of social work and to promote high standards of professional performance for those engaged in the profession of social work.