In this work academics and practitioners from all five continents highlight the history of the social work profession and its underlying academic and social paradigms. The authors come from Australia, Austria, Brazil, Belgium, Canada, Ghana, Great Britain, India, New Zealand, South Africa and the United States. The structure of this work allows the reader to trace back the historical and political influences in the interpretation of social work in the authors’ countries. Special attention is given to the notions of human rights and social diversity. Are human rights universal and which impact does this universality have on the social work profession? How does categorical work relate to generalist practice and does this in its turn relate to the conception of diversity? The authors approach these main queries in an exemplary and balanced manner using both theoretical analysis and case studies.

As social work is fundamentally being altered by the 'Internationalization' of social problems, this book examines the implications for students and practitioners. Arguing that social professionals working locally need an understanding of global mechanisms and cross-cultural issues, it includes both local level and international examples.

In the new health care environment, social workers are being called upon to act as case managers, coordinators, evaluators, therapists, and researchers. International Perspectives on Social Work in Health Care brings together academics and practitioners to discuss what managed care, cost containment, corporatization, and pre-payment portend for social work’s survival. Its explanatory pages will help you understand the need for skills in networking, mediation, and advocacy, how to link communities and institutions, and how to conceptualize, quantify, and measure the outcomes of social work interventions. In an effort to transcend traditional organizational and intellectual boundaries, International Perspectives on Social Work in Health Care explores conflicts inherent to social work, the need for new theoretical and practice models, social work administration in changing health care organizations, and developments in health social work research. Seeking to unite policy and practice, this guidebook addresses key issues, trends, and innovations in social work, including: services that enhance community health the transformation of health care in the U.S. into a market commodity a broader approach to health and health care to correct gender biases lifestyle changes and health promotion helping clients overcome patterns of denial, fear, and anger individual casework vs. group/community practice patterns of social work service provision in a rehabilitation hospital environment the effects of heterosexism on health and mental health services to lesbian and gay clients International Perspectives on Social Work in Health Care acts as a forum for contributing authors and readers to exchange and gain information and learn from each others’experiences and expertise. This is the book to help social work academics, educators, and practitioners work together to meet the demands and challenges of the increasingly complex health care environment.

International Perspectives on Social Work and Political Conflict provides an important basis for readers to recognise and understand the unique and specialist role that social workers have played and continue to play in international contexts of political conflict. Social workers make an important contribution in these difficult and sometimes dangerous situations across all continents. This book highlights the importance of social work in these very challenging contexts. The first part of this book includes four chapters that summarise the existing knowledge base. The second part focuses on a case study of Northern Ireland where, for the first time, a detailed examination of the social work role was completed which involved researching the views of social work practitioners, managers and educators. Part three then draws together international experts in the field who have written chapters on those regions where social workers have been dealing with long standing periods of political conflict. At a time when violent conflagrations are currently a feature of many countries and regions across the continents of the world, this book offers a critical view of the social work role in these contexts and should thus be considered essential reading for all social work academics, students and professionals working in conflict-affected societies.

Social work as a democratically constituted profession committed to human rights is currently facing cross-border encroachments and attacks by right-wing populist movements and governments. With the Bundestag elections in September 2017, the question of the extent to which right-wing populist forces succeed in influencing the discourse with xenophobic and nationalist arguments arises in Germany, too. The authors examine how social work can respond effectively to nationalism, exclusion, de-solidarization and a basic skepticism about science and position itself against this background. The book explores different conditions in Germany, France, Poland, Russia and the US.

Written by the director of the countrys first center for international social work studies, the original edition of this book set the stage for recent years exponential increase of interest in international issues for social workers. This second edition is a thorough revision of that definitive text, and it expands on the sections most valuable to teachers, adds evocative photos from the authors own collection, and provides a wealth of new information to bring the book up-to-the-minute in usefulness. A comprehensive treatment of international social work, the book emphasizes global interdependence and professional action, themes that provide the context for an engaging examination of social work issues in a global perspective. The books four sections introduce major concepts and issues in international social work, review the global history of the social work profession as a whole, discuss global ethics, practice and policy, and values, and look ahead to the bright future of international exchange and development. From direct service to policy and administration, International Social Work provides a thorough overview of the international dimensions of social work practice, and is sure to remain the essential text for all social work students and practitioners, providing a sound foundation for future academic and career exploration.

"International Social Work: Professional Action in an Interdependent World, Third Edition, is a comprehensive treatment of all dimensions of international social work. The authors' four-part definition of international social work provides a framework and includes domestic practice and policy influenced by global forces, professional exchange, international practice and global social policy. The dual themes of globalization and professional action are emphasized. The first section of the book explores globalization, development and human rights as foundational concepts for international social work. It then provides an overview of global social issues and international organizations related to social welfare. Overviews of the global history of the profession and of selected examples of the profession's role in international action are provided. Similarities and differences in social work around the world are then examined through seven country examples"--

The book focuses on three key issues of international social work: - on international dimensions of social problems and how social work practice can deal with these challenges, - on cultural issues social workers have to- think of when practicing, teaching an- developing social work on an international- level and finally - on aspects of international approaches in social work education. The authors are practicing and teaching social- work in several countries and their personal- and educational background allowed them to- gain a profound experience on international- social work. This makes the authors not only- writing about international perspectives but- also from an international perspective.

Partnership Working in Health and Social Care adopts a thematic approach to health and social care partnerships. With chapters by leading international commentators, the book covers key topics in partnership with a dual focus on both policy and practice.