Core Themes in Social Work: Power, Poverty, Politics and Values

Chapter 1: A Positive Direction
Chapter 2: Establishing a World View
Chapter 3: Values in Social Work
Chapter 4: Power in Social Work
Chapter 5: Poverty, Disadvantage and Social Work
Chapter 6: Psychology, Sociology and Social Work
Chapter 7: Effective Critical Practice

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.

“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.”
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 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.”
Dr Pamela Trevithick, Visiting Professor in Social Work, Buckinghamshire New University, UK