<P> The practice and profession of social work has a relatively modern and scientific origin , and is generally considered to have developed out of three strands . The first was individual casework , a strategy pioneered by the Charity Organization Society in the mid-19th century , which was founded by Helen Bosanquet and Octavia Hill in London , England . Most historians identify COS as the pioneering organization of the social theory that led to the emergence of social work as a professional occupation . COS had its main focus on individual casework . The second was social administration , which included various forms of poverty relief -- ' relief of paupers ' . Statewide poverty relief could be said to have its roots in the English Poor Laws of the 17th century , but was first systematized through the efforts of the Charity Organization Society . The third consisted of social action -- rather than engaging in the resolution of immediate individual requirements , the emphasis was placed on political action working through the community and the group to improve their social conditions and thereby alleviate poverty . This approach was developed originally by the Settlement House Movement . </P>
which organization developed the standard definition of social work in the united states
the Charity Organization Society