Social work is a profession that focuses on helping individuals, families, and communities to enhance their well-being and achieve their full potential. It involves working with people of all ages, from infants to the elderly, to address a variety of issues such as poverty, mental illness, addiction, abuse, neglect and homelessness. Social workers use a variety of interventions to help individuals cope with difficult situations in their lives. They also advocate for social justice and work towards creating positive change in communities. Social workers are often employed by government agencies or non-profit organizations but can also be self-employed.