Proceedings.

Examining experiences of shame and stigma in the context of austerity and the declining welfare state, this book shows how social work can ameliorate the impacts of shame through sensitive, reflective and relationship-based practice. It provides a broad understanding of shame and looks at its impact on both service users and practitioners.

This book studies poverty issues by using social work theories and methods. It illustrates the values, theories, elements, contents, and processes of anti-poverty social work, summarizes the development of China’s anti-poverty policies, and explores the models and methods of anti-poverty social work in China. This book represents the research results of the National Social Science Foundation Project “Research on Dynamic Monitoring and Effectiveness Evaluation of the Implementation of Targeted Poverty Alleviation Strategy” (16ZDA022) and China’s Ministry of Education’s Philosophy and Social Science Development Construction (Incubation) Project Report “Anti-Poverty Development Report in China” (11JBGP038).

This book starts with detailed community-based poverty-alleviation cases and focuses on several important aspects in this field to demonstrate the intervention methods, theoretical paradigms, and intervention models of poverty-alleviation social work. Based on the introduction to the characteristics, theoretical foundation, and practical model of community-based poverty-alleviation social work, this book elaborates the specific operation processes from the perspectives of community intervention, community empowerment, and community construction. Its chapters are arranged in a progressive order yet can also be understood separately. Moreover, not only are the characteristics of community-based anti-poverty social work highlighted in the book, but the essentials of all kinds of related social work in the fight against poverty are reflected. As the first professional book in China that systematically describes the theory and practice of community-based anti-poverty social work, it is especially suitable for social workers, poverty-alleviation workers, community workers, and readers interested in related topics.

What do we mean by the terms "poverty" and "social exclusion" in 21st century Britain? What impact do continuing austerity measures have on low-income families? How can social workers support and empower service users to escape poverty? An understanding of social division, social exclusion, and poverty is fundamental to the ethos of social work. This book relates poverty and social exclusion to social work practice, offering a fresh approach to the challenges social workers face in helping clients out of poverty.The book begins by examining the challenges posed by growing poverty set against cuts in services and tightening eligibility criteria. The book argues that the impact social exclusion and poverty has on service user's lives requires social workers to gain a greater awareness of both concepts and their relationship to social work practice. Chapters consider topical issues such as the role poverty plays in child protection issues, and the dilemmas social workers face in working with asylum seekers. A theme of the book is inequalities in health: that most service users suffer more illness, disability and premature death, because they are poor and excluded. Focused on what social workers can do in their practice to address social exclusion, the book supports students in developing relationship-based and community-oriented approaches that can actively alleviate poverty. Key features of the book include: Numerous quotations and vignettes give insights into social workers' and service users' real experiences. "What Do You Think?" exercises encourage students to actively engage with the issues and think critically about their understanding of poverty. Reflective questions are included to spark lively debate around ethics, beliefs and values. This book is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduate social work students at all levels. It will also be a key resource for sociology and social policy students seeking an understanding of poverty. "Dave Backwith's new book should be required reading for every social work student, as well as by managers, policy makers and experienced practitioners." Paul Bywaters, Professor of Social Work, Coventry University "Dave Backwith provides social work with a strong values-based argument for politically engaged practice to address poverty and social exclusion. The book is informed by ecological and health inequalities perspectives and with chapters on children and families, older people and mental health, should be essential reading for all social workers." Kate Karban, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Bradford, Co-convenor, Social Work and Health Inequalities Network, 2010-2014 "This book provides a comprehensive review of theory, research and policy on poverty and social exclusion. It identifies the forces which have narrowed social work's responses to poor people, and how practice could become more generous and imaginative." Bill Jordan, Professor of Social Work, Plymouth University, UK "Dave Backwith has successfully argued that social workers need to practice with a full appreciation of the impact of poverty and social exclusion on the people who need their assistance. This is, as he argues, essential for all areas of social work. His book therefore represents essential reading for all connected to the delivery of social work, students, practitioners and managers alike." Mark Lymbery, University of Nottingham, UK

"This book sheds a very bright light on poverty as a central experience of the people social workers work with. Research and theories of power, politics and values are thoroughly discussed and provide the basis for a sustained commitment to social justice. The book is a supportive read as it skilfully appreciates the personal challenges that critical and assertive practice entails. It is a book for students, professionals and service leads to keep, re-read and savour." Dr Tillie Curran, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of the West of England, UK "By identifying power, poverty, politics and values as core themes in social work, this text offers us a refreshing perspective which will challenge students and practitioners alike to re-evaluate their practice in the light of its wider social, political and philosophical contexts. Through an exploration of issues of power and an interrogation of the real meaning of social work ethics and values, Sheedy motivates and encourages us to reflect on our practice and to ensure that it is truly person-centred." Dr Sue Taplin, University of Nottingham, UK "This book offers a concise and coherent discussion of what should be core themes in thoughtful and careful social work practice. It offers a journey towards rethinking and embracing effective critical practice, which engages with human rights and social justice as much as with empowerment and with individual and interpersonal change. Occasional student accounts, coupled with use of key points and questions for discussion make for accessibility. The book synthesises, summarises and critiques ideas about how to understand and resolve social issues, enabling readers to question how they might work creatively alongside service users. It is a book which invites reflection on policy and practice." Professor Michael Preston-Shoot, Dean, Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, University of Bedfordshire, UK "This excellent text is essential reading for all social workers and students, and a key resource for academics. It highlights - with concern and conviction - the importance of developing an effective critical practice that 'challenges, enhances and broadens the task of conventional social work' in ways that have 'the potential to improve outcomes for service users'. It calls for a social work practice based on an understanding of the issues of power, politics and ideology - and the values and 'world view' held by the worker - linked with concerns raised by the people that social workers regularly encounter and work with. The issues of 'poverty and disadvantage' and their structural causes run throughout this text - issues that have been too long neglected in social work. In this text, Martin Sheedy corrects that neglect by outlining in some detail the impact of poverty on people's lives and life chances whilst at the same time describing how critical practice can be used by social workers to promote social justice and empowerment practices." Dr Pamela Trevithick, Visiting Professor in Social Work, Buckinghamshire New University, UK This engaging book introduces the core themes in social work, and encourages students and practitioners to connect with the important debates surrounding these themes and challenges them to revisit the direction social work is and should be going in. The key contexts of social work are explored using knowledge from the disciplines of social theory, politics, sociology, psychology and ethics. The content is enlivened by: The voices of students, service users and practitioners Current and topical content on social work, poverty, politics, power and values A discussion style format to help readers engage with the topics An extensive range of sources of knowledge and theory Key summary points at the end of each chapter Group discussion questions at the end of each chapter This book will contribute to social work students' and practitioners' thinking about the world in which they live and operate as professionals.

Sociological perspectives can be used to analyse societal and structural influences on human behaviour at individual, group and community levels. The authors link sociological concepts, debates and theories relating to key areas such as poverty, social exclusion, education, social class and social justice to develop your students′ understanding of how sociological perspectives will impact upon their social work placements and practice. This book begins by taking you step-by-step through the ins and outs of why sociology is important to social work. It explains the relevance of sociology to everyday social work practice, introducing you to the core sociological perspectives that you′ll need to get to grips with during your course, including functionalism, Marxism, symbolic interactionism and postmodernism. The book then moves on to explore various social issues in detail (i.e. poverty, social class, social exclusion, education, moral panics), with extended case studies, activities and links to skills in practice illustrating the many opportunities and challenges that each aspect brings to everyday practice. There are also important chapters on family, community and the role of sociology in social work training.

This book, by one of the leading theorists of social work, tackles a subject of crucial importance to students and practitioners alike: how social workers can enable their clients to challenge and transcend the manifold oppressions that disempower them (whether through poverty, disability, mental illness, etc.). It moves from a discussion of social work's purpose and ambitions to an exposition of theory and, from there, to the practice arenas of working with individuals, in groups, within organisations, and within a wider social and political context.

All of us, as Canadians, are touched throughout our lives by some aspect of social welfare, either as recipients, donors, or taxpayers. But despite the importance of the social network in our country, there has been no single source of information about this critical component of our society. Even professionals in the field of social work or social services have not had a comprehensive volume addressing the myriad features of this critical societal structure. The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work fills this need. Over five hundred topics important to Canadian social work are covered, written by a highly diverse group of social workers covering all aspects of the field and all areas of the country. Practitioners, policy makers, academics, social advocates, researchers, students, and administrators present a rich overview of the complexity and diversity of social work and social welfare as it exists in Canada. The principal finding from this project underscores the long-held perception that there is a Canadian model of social work that is unique and stands as a useful model to other countries. The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work will be an important source of information, both to Canadians and to interested groups around the world. The Encyclopedia of Canadian Social Work is available in e-book version by subscription or from university and college libraries through the following vendors: Canadian Electronic Library, Ebrary, MyiLibrary, and Netlibrary.