The Institute of Social Work is a higher learning Institution in Tanzania which was established by the Institute of Social Work Act [Cap 110 R.E 2002] as amended by the written Laws (Miscellaneous amendments) (No. 3) Act of 2002 herein referred to as the Act.
The Institute was established in order to prepare qualified human resource for strengthening the social service delivery structure in Tanzania. It started operating in 1974 in rented buildings of the Tanzania Episcopal Conference at Kurasini before moving to the present premises at Kijitonyama, Dar es Salaam in 1978. The first program was the Ordinary Diploma in Social Work which was designed for addressing the problem of social welfare manpower shortage that was facing the Social Welfare Department. In 1977, the Institute began offering Advanced Diploma in Social Work. This was necessitated by the need to meet social work professional training and educational standards.

In order to respond to the national need of having qualified Labour Inspectors, Administrators and Industrial Relations Officers, the Institute introduced a certificate course in Labour Studies in 1982 and an Advanced Diploma in Labour Studies in 1990. Further development was marked in 2002 when the Institute introduced a Postgraduate Diploma in Social Work and courses in Human Resource Management at Certificate and Advanced Diploma levels.

Moreover, in 2004 Postgraduate Diploma in Law, Mediation and Arbitration was introduced. The Institute also introduced Bachelor Degrees (National Technical Award Level 8) in 2006/07 and Ordinary Diploma (National Technical Award Level 6) in its all fields of study in 2007/08, The Institute further introduced Postgraduate Diplomas in Health System Management and Strategic Human Resource Management in 2013/14.

The most recent development was the introduction of Masters of Social Work (MSW) in 2014/15 and Business Administration Programs from NTA level 4 to 8, and Certificate in Community Work with Children and Youth in 2016/17 academic year. Also since 2020 the Institute of Social Work was given a mandate to run a new Campus located at Mwanga in Kilimanjaro Region (known as Kisangara Campus) which will be offering training in Social work programmes at Certificate and Diploma levels (NTA Level 4 and 5).
All training programs offered by the Institute are competency based, aimed at equipping trainees with requisite professional knowledge, skills and competence in their areas of specialization. They also focus on demands of the larger community which is key stakeholder and macro target for service offered by our graduates.