Social Work in a Corporate Era

Social Work in a Corporate Era PDF Author: Linda Davies
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351899236
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 278

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Book Description
A striking new feature of the welfare systems in many Western countries is the extent to which market relations have permeated social services. Conceptions of 'risk management' now dominate the way parents and children are responded to, while new technologies aim to 'measure' their relationship with state service providers. Bureaucratic control is increasing, while resources are reduced. These factors have led to the demise of the traditional role of the social worker as one who engages with the client in a supportive encounter. Professional competence within social work is increasingly tied to 'mastering' scientific knowledge and new technical skills. The result of collaboration between authors from Canada, Britain and Australia, Social Work in a Corporate Era offers a critical overview of these developments and their implications. It provides a re-evaluation of the assumptions and practices of the critical social work tradition and explores the possibility of rebuilding an 'emancipatory' social work. The authors aim to disentangle the debate between Marxism, feminism and anti-racism, in the context of both postmodern challenges and the corporate restructuring of the welfare state. Calling for the development of a new politics of social work practice, this book addresses many of the urgent issues facing welfare state practitioners in health and social services today.

Social Work in a Corporate Era

Social Work in a Corporate Era PDF Author: Linda Davies
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1351899236
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 278

Get Book Here

Book Description
A striking new feature of the welfare systems in many Western countries is the extent to which market relations have permeated social services. Conceptions of 'risk management' now dominate the way parents and children are responded to, while new technologies aim to 'measure' their relationship with state service providers. Bureaucratic control is increasing, while resources are reduced. These factors have led to the demise of the traditional role of the social worker as one who engages with the client in a supportive encounter. Professional competence within social work is increasingly tied to 'mastering' scientific knowledge and new technical skills. The result of collaboration between authors from Canada, Britain and Australia, Social Work in a Corporate Era offers a critical overview of these developments and their implications. It provides a re-evaluation of the assumptions and practices of the critical social work tradition and explores the possibility of rebuilding an 'emancipatory' social work. The authors aim to disentangle the debate between Marxism, feminism and anti-racism, in the context of both postmodern challenges and the corporate restructuring of the welfare state. Calling for the development of a new politics of social work practice, this book addresses many of the urgent issues facing welfare state practitioners in health and social services today.

The McDonaldization of Social Work

The McDonaldization of Social Work PDF Author: Donna Dustin
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317024338
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 229

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Book Description
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.

The Social Work Business

The Social Work Business PDF Author: John Harris
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1134590555
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 248

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Book Description
Social work has become a business. The traditional distinction drawn between social work as a non-commercial activity in the public and voluntary sectors of the welfare state and private commercial activities driven by the market's profit motive has largely disappeared. In The Social Work Business John Harris addresses the introduction and consolidation of business thinking and ways of operating in social work and considers the consequences for service users, carers, voluntary organisations and social workers. The book traces the development of the social work business from its establishment under Thatcherism to its modernisation under New Labour. It looks in detail at the use of capitalist sector methods - the heightened use of surveillance, the increase in managerial control, changes in work practices - and how this is being reflected in social work education. The Social Work Business provides a radical reappraisal of the far-reaching changes the profession has undergone. The sources of uneasiness experienced by many social workers, faced with a transformation in the organisational culture in which they work, are thrown into sharp relief and opened up for debate.

Social Work and the Law in Scotland

Social Work and the Law in Scotland PDF Author: Roger Davis
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1137285389
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 240

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Book Description
Effective social work practice relies on good understanding of the law along with the skills to use this knowledge well. This essential book provides a wide-ranging thematic account of social work practice in Scotland, making critical links between concepts, the contexts of practice and first-hand experiences of Scottish social work law. The book covers important subjects such as: - Service user and carer rights - Legal and social work values - Accountability - Effective assessment - Safeguarding, risk and protection - Youth and adult criminal justice - Partnership, participation and advocacy - Delivery of personalised services Social Work and the Law in Scotland is core reading for all those undertaking academic study or professional practice within the field. It is also a key resource for anyone looking to update their knowledge on the nature and development of the ever-evolving legislative landscape of Scotland. New to this Edition: - Fully updated to incorporate changes to Scottish law impacting on groups of people who are at risk and personal and community care - Combines fully updated chapters by some of the original authors with newly commissioned pieces - Reflects the pace of change in the law since the previous edition

Globalization and International Social Work

Globalization and International Social Work PDF Author: Malcolm Payne
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1317127064
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 203

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Book Description
Globalization challenges social work with constant social change, making a social worker's job and the task of social work education more complex and uncertain. Post-modern thinking suggests that social workers must learn to cope with complexity in ways that are in tension with the increasingly managerialist organization of the social services. The authors explore and question the concepts of 'postmodern', 'international' and 'global' in light of growing interest in international social work in the early 21st century. Emphasizing the importance of critical reflection, they argue that educational colonization can be challenged and effective anti-discriminatory and pro-equality practice and education promoted. Each chapter provides direct examples of how students and academics can apply these ideas in practice and in their learning, and how they can respond to and influence the challenges and changes that are taking place. The authors also examine educational and practice issues arising from attempts to incorporate international understanding into national practice and education systems. The book is designed to be stimulating to academics interested in international social work while remaining accessible to practitioners and students without international experience.

Critical Social Work with Children and Families

Critical Social Work with Children and Families PDF Author: Steve Rogowski
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 1447309790
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 321

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Book Description
In dealing with individual problems and difficulties, critical social work (CSW) is an emancipatory practice which seeks to address social injustice. In this book the author draws on almost 40 years’ experience as a social worker to consider CSW in core areas of practice with children and families. Fully updated to cover the impact of austerity, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis, this accessible text book is essential reading for students, educators and practitioners of child and family social work. It features: • clearly signposted ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ sections; • over 10 case studies including those drawn from the author’s experience; • end of chapter ‘Key points’ summaries; • further reading suggestions. With expanded coverage of race and intersectionality, contextual safeguarding and critical child protection, the book champions the development of resilient social workers working towards a more just and equal world.

Sociology for Social Workers and Probation Officers

Sociology for Social Workers and Probation Officers PDF Author: Viviene E. Cree
Publisher: Routledge
ISBN: 1136936637
Category : Medical
Languages : en
Pages : 577

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Book Description
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.

Quality Social Work

Quality Social Work PDF Author: Robert Adams
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing
ISBN: 1349137332
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 276

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Book Description
This book offers a practical approach to maximising quality in social work that is based on developing a working culture that empowers key stakeholders in the delivery of services, whether these are managers, practitioners, service users or carers. Aiming to transcend the constraints on professionalism imposed by managerialism and the contract culture, it provides a critical appraisal of the main approaches to quality assurance and analyses these in detail in relation to child care, community care, mental health and criminal justice.

Modernising Social Work

Modernising Social Work PDF Author: Harris, John
Publisher: Policy Press
ISBN: 9781847420053
Category : Political Science
Languages : en
Pages : 228

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Book Description
This title's three sections cover the main issues of the modernization agenda, making it ideal for teaching. It also locates the issues in their theoretical, historical and policy contexts which meets the needs of student readers.

Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care

Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care PDF Author: Joyce Lishman
Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers
ISBN: 1846426529
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 412

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Book Description
This substantially revised, expanded and updated edition of the popular Handbook of Theory for Practice Teachers is a comprehensive summary of the theory, knowledge, research and evidence relating to practice learning in social care. Focussing on knowledge-based practice with a focus on improving outcomes, the five sections of the book cover: * the reasons and circumstances in which people may become social work service users * a holistic consideration of assessment in general and specific contexts, including risk assessment and management * methods of intervention, including cognitive behavioural social work, task centred practice, advocacy, crisis intervention, family therapy and group care * the legal, policy, research and evidence context in which assessment and intervention occur, as well as interdisciplinary work and organisational aspects of social work practice * reflective practice, evaluation and evidence based practice as integral parts of social workers' engagement with the complex needs of individuals outside the existing parameters of policy or research findings. This key text is essential reading for students, practitioners and teachers in social work.