social service

American  

noun

1. organized welfare efforts carried on under professional auspices by trained personnel.

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Other Word Forms

• social-service adjective

Etymology

Origin of social service

First recorded in 1850–55

Example Sentences

The British Association of Social Workers said the social work sector is "under considerable strain", with the highest level of referrals to children's social services in a decade and a depleted workforce.

From BBC

Now Keira is one of many Greenlandic families living on the Danish mainland who are fighting to get their children returned to them after they were removed by social services.

From BBC

She found Thai Community Development Center, or Thai CDC, a nonprofit providing health and social services for the Thai population and staffed with people from the community it serves.

From Los Angeles Times

All were flagged down outside county social services offices, where many were on their way to get food assistance and cash aid.

From Los Angeles Times

John Maceri, chief executive of The People Concern, an L.A.-based nonprofit social service agency focused on ending homelessness, said unhoused people may initially decline resources but that “relentless outreach” is necessary.

From Los Angeles Times