Co-operative nature of training social workers The training of social workers is a co-operative undertaking, including four factors: the social agencies, the incapacitated, and the school for social workers, and volunteer workers. Successful results depend upon a thorough understanding of the entire process by, and a bona fide participation on the part of, all the people who are involved. If any one of the four leading classes of persons who are concerned fail to function properly in the situation or to be governed at all times by an appreciation of the problems which are faced by the other parties to the unspoken agreement, then the entire plan fails. The main distinction between the work of the volunteer and the regular social worker may be emphasized here. The regular worker should be a specialist doing technical work. The volunteer is in training and subject to be called on to do any one of a variety of things, including the making of visits and supplying the personal ...