Social work, once the rising star of the human service delivery professions has increasingly come under attack from politicians and the media, often following child abuse tragedies and particularly after the election of Margaret Thatcher in 1979. Subsequently private sector managerialism was introduced both to control what social workers do and how, as well as to reduce public expenditure. They had to cope with increased bureaucracy and given stringent targets aimed at rationing resources, leading to deprofessionalisation with organisations', rather than users', needs now dominating.From a critical perspective, this book charts social work's development over the last 150 years, pinpointing the present neo-liberal consensus as being at the root of the profession's current crisis. Notwithstanding the difficulties involved, it calls for a progressive, radical/critical practice based on social justice and social change. The book is essential reading for social work academics, students and experienced practitioners. Equally, social policy academics and students along with those in public policy and social science more generally will find it of interest.

Based upon George Ritzer's McDonaldization of Society thesis and incorporating aspects of social theory, this book examines the introduction of care management to social work practice. Donna Dustin analyzes care management as an example of the managerial application of efficiency, calculability, predictability and control to social work practice. These principles, put to good use in organizations that produce tangible outputs at a profit, are being increasingly applied in non-profit public sector organizations where the outcomes require intangibles such as professional relationships. The author examines whether the McDonaldization process heightens dilemmas such as cost versus rights for professionals working in the social services. Using social theory to frame her research with care managers and their managers in the UK, the author examines the day-to-day implications of care management for social work practice and questions whether the construction of service users as customers contributes to empowering practice. The book's in-depth analysis of the policy background, implementation and practice of care management will resonate with social workers in other national contexts, such as the US, where the care management model has been introduced.

Right-wing nationalist populism poses direct attacks on social tolerance, human rights discourse, political debates, the survival of the welfare state and its universal services, impacting on the roles of social work. This book demonstrates how right-wing nationalist populism can and must be countered. Using case studies from around the world, this book shows how a revitalised radical social work where community organisation, building alliances, trade union commitment and social action can be used as political forces to speak up against discrimination and hate in accordance with human rights, social justice, and social work values. The rise of national populism signals that now is the time for social work to forge and reforge such networks and create links with civil society and challenge right-wing populist policies wherever they manifest themselves. It will be of interest to all social work students, practitioners and academics, particularly those working on critical and radical social work, green social work, anti-oppressive practice and community development.

In order to work effectively, social workers need to understand theoretical concepts and develop critical theory. In Social Work and Social Theory, Paul Michael Garrett seeks to bring the profession into dialogue with the anticapitalist movement and encourages a new engagement with theorists such as Antonio Gramsci, Pierre Bourdieu, and Nancy Fraser. It provides an accessible and exhilarating introduction for practitioners, students, and social work academics interested in social theory and critical social policy. It will be a vital resource aiding anyone intent on creating a more radical social work and a useful teaching tool to spark lively classroom discussion.

Critical Social Work Studies in South Africa: Prospects and Challenges is a convergence of 18 critical Black African minds from various South African universities, who challenge the hegemonic status quo in society. In this collection of conceptual and empirical papers, each author tells a compelling story with common themes that are firmly rooted in advancing decolonial knowledge. This book covers pertinent issues in social work practice and education, ranging from rethinking parenting roles, utopian notions of family, mediation practice in relation to unmarried fathers to race and landlessness. The book contains practical suggestions in respect of decolonising the self as well as social work curricula in higher education. In addition Critical Social Work Studies in South Africa: Prospects and Challenges delves into trusting relationships as cornerstones to effective supervision, centring African spirituality in social work, economic emancipation of Black women, cultural trauma as well as drug abuse prevention. Based on the range of themes, this book would benefit social work practitioners, students, academics, social activists and anyone who is curious to understand how decoloniality may be operationalised in social work.

To celebrate the 35th anniversary of the seminal text Radical Social Work (1975), this volume has been compiled to explore the radical tradition within social work and assess its legacy, relevance and prospects. It is essential reading for undergraduate and postgraduates studying social work, as well as social work academics and researchers.

Globalization has become a seemingly unstoppable force over recent decades and, in its wake, global notions of social justice have developed in response to its negative aspects. Neo-liberal economic policies have been a key element in the wider process of globalization, and these policies have had a profound impact on welfare provision and the shape of social work practice. Arising dissatisfaction among users of welfare and social work services is fuelling the search for a new, more radical social work that is firmly rooted in principles of social justice. Globalisation, Global Justice and Social Work explores the global effects of neo-liberal policies on welfare services in different countries, with contributions from social work academics, practitioners and welfare activists around the world. The first section of the book presents case studies of impact of neo-liberalism on welfare systems, social service provision and the practice of social work. In the second section the chapters explore the relationship between social work practice and the struggle for social justice. Authors discuss the personal and political dilemmas they have had to address in seeking to link a personal commitment to social justice with their daily practice as workers and educators in social work. The final section assesses the prospects for social work practice based on notions of social justice, by looking at what can be learned from the experience of previous radical movements as well as from emergent global and local movements.

Social work practice is becoming increasingly complex, with social workers struggling to hold onto their ideals and values in a pressurized and challenging social, political and organizational environment. This book provides an analytically coherent approach to the impact of macro, mezzo and micro factors upon practitioners' daily experiences. In taking a positive view of social work's potential and capacity to deliver beneficial services, detailed guidance is offered of cutting edge, creative practice with a variety of user groups.

Divided into three parts, this field-defining work explores what environmental social work is, and how it can be put into practice. It focuses on theory, discussing ecological and social justice, as well as sustainability, spirituality and human rights.

How does a social work student make the connection between sociological knowledge and day-to-day social work? Sociology for Social Workers and Probation Officers provides an introduction to sociological ideas and research and places them firmly into the context of actual social work practice. It encourages readers to develop critical awareness and reach their own judgements about the usefulness and implications of holding certain conceptual positions and shows how social work can be better informed and improved by doing so. Fully revised and updated throughout, this second edition examines sociology in relation to key areas of social work and probation practice, and includes one new chapter. Areas covered are: Family Childhood Youth Community Care and Caring Health and Illness Crime. Essential reading for all social work and probation studies students, this text looks beyond individual and psychological explanations and solutions to develop a sociological knowledge base for social work practice.