Social work with children in Israel

Israel is a child-centered culture. Social work with children predates the existence of the State of Israel. There is a rich array of services for children. In the last 10 years, the emphasis has changed from using child placement as a panacea for children's problems, to treating the child as part of the family system. Placement of children in agricultural collectives, boarding schools, and youth villages has historically been on option for all children, and social workers used this plan as well. Implications of the change to family treatment is discussed as are various areas in which social workers offer direct treatment to children.