The organization of the Professional Category of Social Service

The debate on the organisation of the professional category of Social Work in Portugal is of great relevance in the face of a society which is progressively more involved in political decision-making processes.In order to understand the current situation of the profession, it is important to know its historical trajectory, following the path taken by social movements until the current period of political participation and respective involvement of its professionals in the effectiveness of the recognition and valorisation of the profession.In this sense, we assume that the regulation of the profession through the Order of Social Workers is essential to consolidate its recognition from a technical and ethical-political point of view, assuming a clearer and more cohesive social direction in the commitment to Portuguese society.