Critical Social Work : Theories and Practices for a Socially Just World

Critical Social Work starts from the premise that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality. Taking a critical theoretical approach, the authors explore the links between personal and social change. They confront the challenges for critical social work in the context of pressures to separate the personal from the political and in responding to the impact of changes in the socio-political, statutory and global contexts of practice. Critical Social Work has been thoroughly revised to take into account recent social, economic and political developments. Coverage of theoretical frameworks has been substantially expanded and reflects current concerns such as evidence based practice and human rights. The causes of people's marginalisation and oppression are examined in relation to class, race, ethnicity, gender and other forms of social inequality. Case study chapters in the earlier edition on working with immigrants, Indigenous people, women, men, families, people with psychiatric disabilities and those experiencing loss and grief have been updated and revised. The second edition includes new case study chapters on disability, older people, children, rurality, and violence and abuse. Critical Social Work is an essential resource to inform progressive social work practice. Contents 6 Preface 10 List of Contributors 12 Part I: Introduction 18 1 Introducing critical theories for social work in a neo-liberal context • Linda Briskman, Bob Pease and June Allan 20 Part II: Developing conceptual frameworks for critical social work 32 2 Tracing the origins of critical social work practice • Philip Mendes 34 3 Theorising new developments in critical social work • June Allan 47 4 From evidence-based practice to critical knowledge in post-positivist social work • Bob Pease 62 5 Promoting a human rights perspective on critical social work • Sharlene Nipperess and Linda Briskman 75 6 Doing critical social work • June Allan 87 Part III: Resisting domination and oppression 106 7 Towards anti-racist and culturally affirming practices • Marjorie Quinn 108 8 Reversing colonial practices with Indigenous peoples • Christine Fejo-King and Linda Briskman 122 9 Reconstructing social work practices with families • Susie Costello 134 10 Examining the meaning of childhood in critical social work practice • Heather D’Cruz 149 11 Using critical refl ection to improve feminist practice • Christine Morley 162 12 Challenges and directions for profeminist practice with men • Bob Pease 177 13 Empowering and rights-based approaches to working with older people • Barbara Black 192 14 Disabling discourses and enabling practices in disability politics • Kelley Johnson 205 15 Opening spaces for alternative understandings in mental health practice • Selma Macfarlane 218 16 Weaving together the personal and the political in loss and grief • June Allan 231 17 Addressing violence and abuse in a gendered world • Heather Fraser and Christine Craik 245 Part IV: Locating critical social work in shifting worlds 258 18 Critical practice in a changing context • Catherine McDonald 260 19 Enacting critical social work in publicly funded contexts • Nick Halfpenny 272 20 Framing critical social work practices with ruraland remote communities • Uschi Bay 285 21 For a solidarity-based practice in the globalising context • Jacques Boulet 298 Notes 312 References 315 Index 359 'Another important contribution to the growing literature on critical social work. It is on the cutting edge of thinking about social work and its goal of social change.'- Kate van Heugten, Social Work ReviewCritical Social Work starts from the premise that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality. Taking a critical theoretical approach, the authors explore the links between personal and social change. They confront the challenges for critical social work in the context of pressures to separate the personal from the political and in responding to the impact of changes in the socio-political, statutory and global contexts of practice.Critical Social Work has been thoroughly revised to take into account recent social, economic and political developments. Coverage of theoretical frameworks has been substantially expanded and reflects current concerns such as evidence based practice and human rights. The causes of people's marginalisation and oppression are examined in relation to class, race, ethnicity, gender and other forms of social inequality.Case study chapters in the earlier edition on working with immigrants, Indigenous people, women, men, families, people with psychiatric disabilities and those experiencing loss and grief have been updated and revised. The second edition includes new case study chapters on disability, older people, children, rurality, and violence and abuse.Critical Social Work is an essential resource to inform progressive social work practice. "This second edition of 'Critical social work' has been thoroughly revised to take into account recent social, economic and political developments. Coverage of theoretical frameworks has been substantially expanded and reflects current concerns such as evidence-based practice and human rights. The causes of people's marginalisation and oppression are examined in relation to class, race, ethnicity, gender and other forms of social inequality. Case study chapters in the earlier edition on working with immigrants, Indigenous people, women, men, families, people with psychiatric disabilities and those experiencing loss and grief have been updated and revised. The second edition includes new case study chapters on disability, older people, children, rurality, and violence and abuse."--Back cover This text offers a systematic overview of core theories and practice issues in social work. The authors argue that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality __Critical Social Work____Critical Social Work____Critical Social Work__