From an ethical and political commitment to the design of a professional occupational therapy project: a debate necessary for social assistance work

Abstract Occupational therapists compose technical teams in social assistance services before the formalization of their insertion Unified Social Assistance System (SUAS), which occurred 2011. As a result, discussion about work this sector and question has gained relevance profession from an interventional theoretical-academic point view. In study, Marxist perspective, we reflect on how determines demands observed work. Next, present concepts societal projects - understood as collective that express class intentions for society, professional defined related to professions composed ethical political principles, are theoretical methodological references practice, establish bases relationships with service users, other professions, organizations institutions. We conclude by proposing occupational therapy is framework can be adopted construct critical-transformative project: critical structure dynamics capitalist society continually replace expressions question, touching everyday life subjects; neoliberal model State management weakens rights makes people’s lives precarious; conservative trends individualize, medicalize, psychologize, moralize reading problems presented demands; role function its relationship breaking supposedly neutral view profession.