Advocacy and policy influencing for social change: Responsibility of social workers and implications for training

Abstract

Advocacy and social policy influencing is an important professional role of social workers that needs to be integrated into education and training on social work. This article explores the fundamentals of this advocacy role in social change through social policies that recognize human rights.Based on the international benchmarks of social work, the case of Spain is analyzed considering ethical codes, the curricula in social work, professional practice and the new Degree in Social Work. The article raises some questions about the degree of responsibility and involvement that universities and professional associations have, in coherence with the principles and values of social work.