Understanding Challenges in Social Work Practice Within the Social Service Sector of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT Social work is a helping profession that promotes the autonomy and empowerment of service recipients. It encourages individuals to recognize their needs and actively involves stakeholders in the design and implementation of services. This article explores the practice of professional social work within social services in Bangladesh. Through qualitative approaches, the study found that social work values serve as the foundational philosophy for public sector social service programs in Bangladesh. However, social work methods and strategies have been somewhat overlooked over time. Most services focus on addressing immediate needs, while efforts to empower clients and foster self‐reliance are often neglected. Additionally, very few services address psychosocial issues, and service recipients are rarely consulted in designing and implementing these services. The article advocates for establishing a professional body and seeks official recognition to enhance social work practice in Bangladesh.