Social Work

"This book provides an overview of the main developments in social work over its 200-year history. From the beginnings of social work in the early 19th century through to present day it recounts the efforts to create a fairer, socially just society through its work with individuals and families. Throughout, by focusing on individual cases as well as major ideas behind practice, this book invites the reader to step into the practitioner's world as it unfolded. Providing a fresh, critical history of social work in Britain, the book covers the practical assistance for families and individuals in poverty in the 19th century; women's social work with destitute mothers and children; social work's response to war time needs; the development of specific domains of social work such as hospital social work, psychiatric social workers, moral welfare and child care; tackling racism; and social work in a market society. The reader encounters the society that social workers and their users wrote about, thought about and sought to create. Covering critical points of dispute along with overarching visions that would take the profession - and society - forward, the book explores the ideologies, moral constructs and social forces that shaped case work. A New History of Social Work will be of interest to all scholars and students of social work and will be particularly relevant for modules on introductions to social work and foundations of social work"-- Provided by publisher.

In A Human Rights-Based Approach to Justice in Social Work Practice, Shirley Gatenio Gabel presents a human rights-based approach toward justice in social work practice that is more in line with social work's roots and the intentions of its founders. Using a rights-based approach, readers learn how to advocate for justice, how to analyze issues of oppression and equity, and why it is integral to social work practice to fight for justice. Exercises, case examples, and reflection activities are included to encourage critical thinking and application of rights-based approaches based on participation, non-discrimination, equity, accountability, and transparency in issues involving social, economic, and environmental justice. -- Back cover.

"This book shows how social work can be an active agent for promoting revolutionary changes in order to counter the global neoliberal market fundamentalism which is destroying our planet and reinforcing socioeconomic inequalities, political instability, antidemocratic political ideologies and movements, small wars, conflicts, racism and other forms of oppression. By presenting innovative ideas and suggestions for a revolutionary social work aim at promoting systemic changes and eliminating the roots of social problems it will be of interest to all scholars and students of social work, community development and social justice more broadly"-- Provided by publisher.