World Social Work Day: Respecting diversity through joint social action

21 Mar 2023

What is World Social Work Day?

World Social Work Day is celebrated annually on the third Tuesday of March. In 2023 it falls on Tuesday 21 March. The day is coordinated by the International Federation of Social Workers and promoted nationally by the Australian Association of Social Workers. The day acknowledges the professions’ contribution to social justice and the defence of human rights. This years’ theme is “respecting diversity through joint social action.”

How social workers support patients

Social workers provide support across all St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospital wards to assist patients and their families with navigating the health care system. Social workers work alongside patients and other professionals to assess their needs (psychosocial assessment) – then coordinate and facilitate support services so patients have wrap around support for their discharge. Social workers operate with a person centred approach, meeting patients where they are at. They link in with a range of services, eg; community aged care, mental health, drug and alcohol and children and family supports.

Respecting diversity through joint social action

This year’s theme reminds us that we can all work together to value people from diverse backgrounds. We can take meaningful action locally to create inclusive and diverse communities through social change. 

Sounds good – but how does it actually happen?

Just last week, St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals respected diversity through social action with their “Closing the Gap” day activities. Caregivers from different backgrounds attended a welcome to country and flag raising ceremony and engaged in staff awareness activities. 

Dr Corey Dalton from Derbarl Yerrigan Health Service, the hospital’s Aboriginal Health Team and Moort Boodjari Mia maternity service collaborated with hospital caregivers to help them identify actions they can take to improve wellbeing and health outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. These tangible actions for social change grow from St John of God Health Care’s Values of respect, compassion, justice, hospitality and excellence. 

Happy World Social Work Day

St John of God Midland Public and Private Hospitals social work team invites you to view the World Social Work display in the hospital’s main foyer on 21 March. We hope you now know more about Social Work and have a chance to consider “respecting diversity through joint social action.” 

On Social Work Day we celebrate our dedicated social work team and appreciate the significant contribution they make to our hospital and patient care every day.