A Contemporary History Of Social Work

This collection charts the key developments in the social work field from 1970 to the present day and shows how by fully understanding social work’s past, we can make better progress for practitioners and service users in the future. It brings together a broad collection of experts from across social work who trace how thinking and approaches to practice have changed over time, examine key legislative developments in the field, look at the impacts of major inquiries and consider the re-emergence of certain specialisms. Providing students and practitioners of social work and social policy with a full picture of the evolution of social work, it also shares important insights for its future directions.

In this book, Terry Bamford challenges social work students and professionals to understand why social work has failed to maintain its position as a driver of social reform. Drawing lessons from the recent history of social work to identify how and why it has lost influence, Bamford looks forward to a new model of practice that places a commitment to social justice at the heart of the profession. The book also contributes to topical debates about social work education and the identity of the profession, encouraging critical thinking about organization models, practice content, and the meaning of professionalism in social work.

Discussing the relationship between social work and sociology, this book explores how the two have become more and more divided, moving from one single discipline, to two separate, but related, fields. Both sociology and social work focus on social problems, social structure, social integration and how individuals respond to and live within cultural and structural constraints. Today, both disciplines face the possibility of losing some of their most important characteristics to individualising trends, the disappearance of the importance of ‘the social’ and pressure towards solely evidence-based knowledge. In addition to casting light on areas that have been in the shadows of the mainstream narrative, the contributions to this book will raise new questions, contributing to continuing discussions between and within each discipline. This book was originally published as a special issue of Nordic Social Work Research.

In this book, Terry Bamford challenges social work students and professionals to understand why social work has failed to maintain its position as a driver of social reform. Drawing lessons from the recent history of social work to identify how and why it has lost influence, Bamford looks forward to a new model of practice that places a commitment to social justice at the heart of the profession. The book also contributes to topical debates about social work education and the identity of the profession, encouraging critical thinking about organization models, practice content, and the meaning of professionalism in social work.

An expert introduction to the foundations of the social work profession—from its historical roots to its evolution in an era of evidence-based practice The Profession of Social Work provides a broad overview of the history, scope, values, ethics, and organizational framework of the social work profession. Exploring professional ethics and human rights, evidence-based practice and practice-guided research, as well as emerging trends and issues, this important book presents topics of critical importance to anyone considering a career in social work. Each chapter in the text offers an array of pedagogical features, including Key Terms, Review Questions for Critical Thinking, and Online Resources. Ideal for introductory courses for both undergraduate and graduate students, The Profession of Social Work features coverage closely aligned with social work accreditation standards (EPAS) and includes chapters authored by established scholars on topics including: Social work history Social work education Professional credentialing and regulations Values and ethics The strengths perspective in social work practice Evidence-based practice and improving the scientific base for social work practice Contemporary issues in social work With a wealth of insider insights into and guidance on the profession of social work, this book is essential reading to prepare for a career in this field.

Social work is often presented as a benevolent and politically neutral profession, avoiding discussion about its sometimes troubling political histories. This book rethinks social work's legacy and history of both political resistance and complicity with oppressive and punitive practices. Using a comparative approach with international case studies, the book uncovers the role of social workers in politically tense episodes of recent history, including the anti-racist struggle in the US and the impact of colonialism in Australia, New Zealand and Canada. As the de-colonisation of curricula and the Black Lives Matter movement gain momentum, this fascinating book skilfully navigates social work's collective political past while considering its future.

One Hundred Years of Social Work is the first comprehensive history of social work as a profession in English Canada. Organized chronologically, it provides a critical and compelling look at the internal struggles and debates in the social work profession over the course of a century and investigates the responses of social workers to several important events. A central theme in the book is the long-standing struggle of the professional association (the Canadian Association of Social Workers) and individual social workers to reconcile advancement of professional status with the promotion social action. The book chronicles the early history of the secularization and professionalization of social work and examines social workers roles during both world wars, the Depression, and in the era of postwar reconstruction. It includes sections on civil defence, the Cold War, unionization, social work education, regulation of the profession, and other key developments up to the end of the twentieth century. Drawing on extensive archival research as well as personal interviews and secondary literature, the authors provide strong academic evidence of a profession that has endured many important changes and continues to advocate for a just society and a responsive social welfare state. One Hundred Years of Social Work will be of interest to social workers, social work students and educators, social historians, professional associations and anyone interested in understanding the complex nature of people and institutions.

How are the various methods of social work practice used in the major social problem areas, including work with children and families, corrections, education, the workplace, healthcare, mental care, and the like? This book will answer the questions posed. Coverage includes detailed information on the social work methods used with individuals, groups, families, organizations, communities, and society as a whole. Coverage of diversity and social justice is integrated throughout the book, with references to different ethnic groups, gender and sexual orientation, disability and circumstance. Social workers and social welfare agents.