<P> The 19th century saw a great leap forward in technological and scientific achievement . There was also a great migration to urban areas throughout the Western world, which led to many social problems . This galvanised the socially active, prosperous middle and upper classes to search for ways to ameliorate the physical and spiritual conditions of the poor underclasses . This was coupled with a religious revival, and many Protestant mission efforts (urban missions), attempted to resolve the problems inherent in large cities like poverty, prostitution, disease, and other afflictions . A new philosophy of "scientific charity" emerged, which stated charity should be "secular, rational and empirical as opposed to sectarian, sentimental, and dogmatic ." </P> <P> During this time, rescue societies were initiated to find more appropriate means of self - support for women involved in prostitution . State - built Mental asylums were built from the 1840s to assist in taking care of the mentally ill . </P> <P> Most historians identify the Charity Organization Society, founded by Helen Bosanquet and Octavia Hill in London in 1869, as the pioneering organization of the social theory that led to the emergence of social work as a professional occupation . COS had its main focus on individual casework . It supported the concept of self - help and limited government intervention to deal with the effects of poverty . The organisation claimed to use "scientific principles to root out scroungers and target relief where it was most needed". </P> <P> Alsager Hay Hill was prominent from its foundation, acting as honorary secretary of the council until July 1870, and as an active member of the council until 1880 . Hill also worked as an almoner to the Society for the Relief of Distress in the East of London . He campaigned about the many flaws in the poor laws and urged for a more scientific classification of paupers . His 1867 pamphlet, on Our Unemployed, was one of the earliest attempts to highlight the problem of systemic unemployment; he suggested a national system of labour registration . In 1871, Hill pioneered a system of labour exchanges in England, establishing' The Employment Inquiry Office and Labour Registry,' . There, Hill advised applicants for assistance, and founded and edited Labour News to improve communication between masters and men seeking work . </P>

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