Social workers have unique skills and in-depth knowledge of working with individual, social, cultural and community diversity, providing interventions across the lifespan and during life transitions. Social workers have expertise in working with complexity, assessing social determinants of health and providing psychosocial interventions to improve the quality of life for the people they work with. Fundamental to social work practice is adopting social justice approaches to address inequities. gaps and fragmentation across health and social care sectors. Social work recognises that health and social care disparities are caused by a range of factors (social determinants of health) which impact on quality of life, access to and experiences of palliative, end of life and bereavement care.

Social Workers are university qualified professionals who play an important role in the delivery of palliative, end of life and bereavement care. Most social workers will encounter people with a life limiting illness, who are at the end of life or have experienced loss and bereavement. Many social workers may not work in specialist palliative care services, however collectively, the expertise within the profession contributes significantly to the holistic care of people living with a life limiting illness and their families. The profession of social work is a compassionate community that provides a supportive network for people and their families.