Abstract: The Practice Model of social work is the best perspective to observe the building of social welfare system and the development of social work profession. The historical development of the Practice Model of social work in the U. K. and the U. S. possesses a clear process and prominent characteristics including a strong atmosphere of humanistic concern and people orientation, a specific goal of pursuing social equity and recovering the social function of those who receive social service, prevalence of case work, case management and family therapy, and prominence of social welfare and welfare system building. The present situation of the Practice Model of social work in the U. K. and the U. S. clearly indicates the direction and tendencies in the future development of the social work profession and the Practice Model. The historical evolution of the Practice Model of social work in the U.K. and the U.S. can provide substantial inspirations for the development of China’s social work profession.

Key words: social work, development of social work profession