Social Work In A Diverse Society

Understanding how to work with racially and ethnically diverse populations is crucial to effective social work practice and planning, and it will only become more so as society continues to become more diverse. This textbook brings together academics and practitioners, who draw on real-life scenarios and detailed case studies to help social workers consider the many dimensions of working in a diverse society and to enable them to uncover innovative, well-tailored ways to ensure successful delivery of essential services.

The image of society is rapidly changing, challenging the social worker to adjust to a more culturally diverse clientele. Social workers are dealing with individuals who are from more diverse backgrounds, better informed, more politically active, and more aware of his or her rights. How does today′s helping professional address the growing gaps in societal needs? Social Work Practice with Culturally Diverse People addresses the ambivalent and ambiguous changes in society, which have conditioned and constrained the willingness, ability, and efforts of social workers to provide culturally competent services to those different from mainstream society. Dhooper and Moore outline each of the major disadvantaged groups and give a historical overview, highlight the major needs, identify intragroup differences, and discuss intervention at the micro, mezzo and macro levels. They discuss how the social worker needs self-awareness of his or her own culture to treat clients as culturally equal to them. This is an essential text for students entering social work at both the direct and community practice levels. Additionally, it is an excellent reference for the practitioner dealing with these changes in his or her own practice.

The world is now a global village, yet cultural diversity is at the forefront of social work practice within and across countries. Professional social workers in different countries increasingly have to relate to a multicultural society, and to develop culturally relevant and appropriate practices with individuals and families, groups and communities. In addition, social workers have to work across different national boundaries or with issues which emanate from forces both within and beyond the countries they are from. Social work education therefore has to be able to prepare graduates to work in varying cultural and socio-economic contexts. In two parts, Cross-Cultural Social Work: Local and global addresses contemporary issues that are at the forefront of community care and development. Part 1 discusses theories and perspectives for culturally appropriate practice, education and research, whilst part 2 contains approaches to working with culturally diverse groups and practice areas. Issues addressed in these parts include: Part 1 Culture in social work, cultural competence, whiteness in social work, biculturalism, working with diversity, and culturally based methods of inquiry. Part 2 Marginalised indigenous communities, social and economic barriers, new and emerging communities, end-of-life issues, international adoption, and culturally diverse aged care. Combining theoretical discussions and practical knowledge building materials Cross-Cultural Social Work facilitates the development of cultural competence among social work students, educators, practitioners and researchers. The book engages readers to critically reflect on cultural underpinnings of dominant social work theories and methods, and to challenge the way we think about culture and cross-cultural practice. Key Features • A collection of works from contributors from different practice settings and different countries which facilitates the development of 'cultural competence' among social work students and educators, practitioners and researchers • Reflects the stipulations of professional accreditation bodies, such as the Australian Association of Social Workers, to include cross-cultural practice as well as standards of practice with minority communities in curriculum content • Combines theoretical discussions and practical knowledge building materials to aid in understanding theories in practice and prepare graduates to work in varying cultural and socio-economic contexts.

This book examines the prevailing theoretical frameworks for viewing diversity in social work practice and helps students develop competencies for work with and on behalf of diverse populations. The theoretical frameworks presented in the text cover three major dimensions of the diversity theme in social work practice: ethnocultural diversity, oppression and social justice, and vulnerable, at-risk populations. While other texts tend to explore these dimensions through a single theoretical framework, Anderson provides an overview of these separate approaches. Chapters are organized so that instructors can teach and students can learn these frameworks comparatively and critically. Each chapter follows a similar outline, which includes 1) a summary of the major contributors to the framework presentation of the core concepts; 2) five to ten principles for practice in application of the framework; 3) an example of its application to a particular practice situation; 4) assessment of its strengths and limitations; 5) annotated sources for further study; and 6) discussion questions to promote critical thinking about the framework.

"Diversity and Social Work in Canada explores the question of how the social work profession can effectively address the growing diversity within Canada today. In this contributed volume, twenty-six academic experts offer insights for students of the helping professions, highlighting the concepts of cultural competence, experiential phenomenological approaches to identity, intersectionality, and localization. The text is divided into three parts. The first part explores theoretical approaches, including anti-oppression and anti-racism. The second presents ideas for managing diversity within clinical and community settings. The third focuses on social work with diverse populations, including First Nations, Francophones, and immigrants and refugees, and delves into practice concerns related to spirituality and religion, sexual diversity, gender, disability, and aging. Discussion is supported by real-world case examples to help students connect theory to practice."--

Understanding how to work with racially and ethnically diverse populations is crucial to effective social work practice and planning, and it will only become more so as society continues to become more diverse. This textbook brings together academics and practitioners, who draw on real-life scenarios and detailed case studies to help social workers consider the many dimensions of working in a diverse society and to enable them to uncover innovative, well-tailored ways to ensure successful delivery of essential services.

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.

Global social work: crossing borders, blurring boundaries is a collection of ideas, debates and reflections on key issues concerning social work as a global profession, such as its theory, its curricula, its practice, its professional identity; its concern with human rights and social activism, and its future directions. Apart from emphasising the complexities of working and talking about social work across borders and cultures, the volume focuses on the curricula of social work programs from as many regions as possible to showcase what is being taught in various cultural, sociopolitical and regional contexts. Exploring the similarities and differences in social work education across many countries of the Americas, Asia, Europe and the Pacific, the book provides a reference point for moving the current social work discourse towards understanding the local and global context in its broader significance.