The convergence of social work and human rights: Analysing the historical and ethical foundations of allied disciplines

Social work and human rights are related yet distinct disciplines. Recent scholarship has emphasised their mutual importance; however, the foundations of each discipline have as yet remained relatively unexplored. This paper investigates both social work and human rights for areas of overlap and convergence. Specific points of convergence identified include their shared historical context, congruence between their ethical and value positions, and their shared purpose and role in society. This paper concludes with implications for further integrating human rights into social work, the relevance of human rights to social work practice, and implications for social work education.