What are the two main types of social work settings?

The two main types of social work settings are best classified as community and institutional.

Community settings refer to environments where social workers engage with individuals and groups, focusing on improving the quality of life within local neighborhoods and addressing systemic issues like poverty, education, and health. This type of setting emphasizes community resources, advocacy, support systems, and mobilization of community members to create change.

Institutional settings, on the other hand, involve organized environments such as hospitals, schools, or correctional facilities where social workers provide services to clients who are often in crisis or need more structured support. These settings typically focus on direct intervention, case management, and collaboration with other professionals to create comprehensive support plans for individuals, families, or groups.

The classification into community and institutional settings is widely accepted in social work literature and practice, capturing the breadth and focus of social work interventions effectively.