**2.1 Global definition of social work**

Social work is the inclusive term referring to methods of practice, provision of services, and the organization of occupational groups and professions that seek to improve social relations. It includes ideas such as social assistance, social development, and social pedagogy, which are, in some countries, the basis of one or more "social professions" [21]. As "Offer" defines it as a profession with diverse approaches to practice and organizing services. Always, however, social work involves a trained employee engaging in relationships with individuals, groups, or broader communities of people to help them manage social difficulties through better social interactions and engage with social structures within their society. It also involves developing social structures, including volunteering and formal social services to respond to social needs [22].

Specialists in the social work profession seek to establish a specific definition of the profession that fits the nature of developments at the level of professional practice. Although definitions of social work are contested and evolving, social workers carry on many tasks that vary across different countries and different types of welfare regimes. A newly agreed global definition of social work seeks to capture the values of social work, its knowledge base, and practice methodologies [23]. These values are evident in many professional codes of ethics in all countries. However, these values are more specifically expressed in the Global Definition of Social Work. That definition has given it particular importance among all professions recognized locally and internationally.

European Association for Schools of Social Work (IASSW) and The International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) introduced the following global definition of Social work: Social Work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility, and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by social work theories, social sciences, humanities, and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing [24].

The author can offer a practical concept of the social work profession. A human and institutional profession qualified social workers practice. It employs three primary methods (social casework, social group work, and community organization) and two secondary methods. The profession aims to enhance the capability of individuals, groups, and communities to satisfy their basic needs and solve their problems in a manner guided by a set of humanitarian, religious, moral values, principles, and society's culture.

#### **2.2 Private practice social work**

Building a private practice social work is a challenging endeavor that requires initiative, professional experience in the field, organization, business savvy, and maintenance of relevant licenses and certifications [25]. To answer the question, what is the private practice of social work? The author should discuss the definition. Numerous definitions have been introduced for the private practice of social work. "Barker", for example, developed one of them, and it states that private practice social work is the provision of professional services by a licensed\qualified social worker who assumes responsibility for the nature and quality of the services provided to the client in exchange for direct payment or third-party reimbursement. Moreover, the process in which the value, knowledge, and skills of social work, are acquired through sufficient education and experience, and used to deliver social services autonomously to the client in exchange for mutually agreed payment [26]. Likewise, it was defined by "Al-Sokary" as the process in which social work's value, knowledge, and skills are acquired through sufficient education and experience and used to deliver social services autonomously to the client in exchange for mutually agreed on payment [27].

Some think that there is a close relationship between the concepts of private practice and clinical social work; this view is based on the fact that the latter is considered the most significant embodiment of the earlier concept. For example, "Abdul Majid" cited the view of "Munson", who indicated that clinical social work is one of the contemporary applications of the professional practice and that it is the most widespread concept. It is also the natural extension of some forms of traditional practice that have already prevailed in social work, e.g., Social Casework, Psychiatric Social work, and Social therapy [28].

By reviewing the definitions mentioned above, the author could define the private practice of social work as "the professional practice by the social workers that are applied through private agencies of multiple disciplines, where services are provided to individuals, families, and groups in exchange for contracted payment which is paid by the client themselves or by a representative third party".

#### **2.3 Private practice agencies**

The concept of private practice agencies can be clarified by reviewing the patterns of practice agencies of social work in Omani society, like the following:


citizens or services in exchange for nominal fees used to finance the development of the provided services and activities.


In this chapter, the private practice agencies for social work belong to the latter two kinds, i.e., profitable private agencies, social clinics, and private centers.

#### **2.4 Private practitioner**

In the beginning, the question is who is the private practitioner of social work? The author will adopt the definition of NSCSW for Private practitioners. Private practitioner social workers are self-employed and solely responsible for the liability of their practice. Before beginning a private practice, a social worker must demonstrate that they have advanced skills in one or more specialized areas of social work and can apply them independently. In private practice, social workers can offer to vary services widely. According to their experience, skills, and qualifications, they may provide family counseling, mental health services, support community development, facilitate education and training, complete specialized assessments, etc. [29].

Private practitioners shall adhere to the values and ethics of the social work profession, utilizing the NASW Codes of Ethics as a guide to ethical decision-making [30]. These values are represented by the importance of professional responsibility to the client, respect for human dignity, respect for human diversity, and honoring the uniqueness of each client. as well as the client's right to self-determination, the client's right to privacy, and confidentiality, the client's right to informed choice, services rendered with maximum client collaboration, the duty to protect individuals, communities, society, and ethical and lawful practice [31].

#### **2.5 Leadership and organization**

In order for us to ensure that our organizations continue to be led by social workers, we must adapt. We, as social workers, have not done our parts to change the course that has already begun [32]. Because of this, we should help our social work students to become leaders for social organizations in the future.

In the past, there were not enough possibilities for social workers to manage social and educational organizations in Arab countries. Teachers, for example, should head schools; physicians should head hospitals, and so on. Nowadays, Circumstances and conditions have changed, and social workers have the opportunity to lead a variety of social and educational organizations. This occurred as a result of social work educational institutes recognizing the value of leadership skills in the preparation of social workers. One of the major factors that contributed to this is the achievement of many skilled social workers in demonstrating the profession's significant role in addressing a wide range of social circumstances and problems. This was reflected positively in the change of law and administrative rules to allow social workers to take on managerial and leadership roles in all professional organizations. For example, the law regulating and establishing private practice social work agencies in the Sultanate of Oman expressly requires that the agency's director be a social worker with experience and competence, and the law has specified many other conditions that ensure the success of managing these types of agencies.
