Radical social work in practice: Making a Difference (Social Work in Practice) - Softcover

Ferguson, Iain

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1861349912 ISBN 13: 9781861349910

Publisher: Policy Press, 2009

Synopsis

Radical social work is a tradition often identified exclusively with the movement which developed in the UK in the 1970s, yet as this much-needed new textbook demonstrates, the relevance of radical approaches to contemporary social work practice have never been stronger. Challenges to a neoliberal approach to social work have been gaining ground academically, and, to a lesser extent, in practice circles. This book provides a fresh understanding of the radical tradition and shows how it can be developed in contemporary social work. Using case studies and real life scenarios to illustrate the type of dilemmas faced by workers in their day-to-day practice, this book sets out the ways in which a radical social work approach can inform constructive responses.This book emphasises the need to understand the diverse lives of service users, encouraging readers to share experience and knowledge and to discuss past and present events, to build confidence in tackling injustice at individual and societal levels. As many social workers are becoming disillusioned and dissatisfied with the profession, this book promotes a practice that is rooted in a commitment to positive change and to social justice that will offer a breathe of fresh air to students and practitioners alike.

About this title

About the Authors

Iain Ferguson is Honorary Professor of Social Work and Social Policy at the University of West Scotland and a founding member of the Social Work Action Network.

Rona Woodward (1964-2014) qualified as a social worker in 1990 and worked in local authority social work services in London and the east of Scotland for 10 years, with a particular interest in children and young people at risk or in need, including young offenders. Having taken her MSc in criminal justice in 1999, she worked as a criminology researcher at Edinburgh University and taught social work at Glasgow Caledonian University and later Stirling University

Edition details

• Publisher: Policy Press
• Publication date: 2009
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1861349912
• ISBN 13: 9781861349910
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 200