ABSTRACT
Organizations that we recognize as social work began to multiply toward the end of the 19th century, each with a different ethos and moral philosophy. The chapter discusses welfare work with prostitutes, the origins of the probation service in police court missionary work, work with the “feeble minded” and evangelical enthusiasm for the emigration of children from impoverished families to other parts of the British empire. The chapter concludes with a discussion of idealism, an optimistic social philosophy that guided social work in the run-up to the First World War which sought to create a more cohesive society. Their influence was felt in “big tent” social work that embraced a wide array of occupations and community-oriented organizations such as settlement houses and guilds of help.
