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Introduction to Social Work takes readers to the root of the social work profession, covering its history, practice settings, and career paths, and framing these topics through an advocacy lens.
Social workers need to recognize the critical role that theory plays both in the way they make sense of what is going on and in the way they order their work. Such recognition clarifies practice for both the worker and the client. David Howe's classic text provides a framework to help social workers develop an understanding of the theories which inescapably underpin their thoughts and actions. This edition contains a new preface by the author, written in 2008, in which he examines the continuing value of his framework, concluding that it remains an effective tool for making sense of the profession's most current ideas. The book covers a range of theoretical approaches, demonstrating through examples that different theories necessarily lead to very different practices. It offers a stimulating guide to social work theory which is proven to help social workers both to understand their practices and to practise in a disciplined and imaginative way.
An Introduction to Using Theory in Social Work Practice equips the reader to use fourteen key social work theories to guide each phase of the planned change process, from engagement through to evaluation. Suitable for a generalist approach, this book illustrates the value of applying theory to practice in a variety of social work roles, across diverse fields and facing assorted challenges. The first section provides a practical foundation for beginning to use theory in your social work practice. Section two looks at how you can translate and integrate fourteen theories commonly found in social work across each phase of the planned change process. The theories discussed are: behavioural, interpretive anthropology, psychodynamic, evolutionary biology, cognitive, symbolic interactionism, strengths, social constructionism exchange economics, role, ecological, critical, feminist, and systems theory. The final section addresses some key issues for real life social work practice, including common barriers to using theory in practice, the potential for multi-professional communication and theory-sharing, and developing an integrative theoretical model for your own personal practice. Linking to core competencies identified by the Council of Social Work Education, this text supports social work students and practitioners in developing vital skills, including critical thinking, applying theory and the effective use of the planned change process.
Originally published in 1964, this was an introduction to social casework, that is social work with individuals and families. It was written for students at the beginning of their training and, while intended for the social worker, it would also prove useful to other students of the social sciences and interesting to the ordinary citizen who wanted to know what social work could offer either to people in trouble or to those who adopted it as a career. The book was both authoritative and up-to-date at the time, in a field in which methods of training had evolved quite rapidly. To this its origin bears witness: the preparatory work was done by Miss Florence Mitchell, an experienced social worker and teacher of social casework. The book was shaped in consultation with other practitioners and teachers, including Dr Younghusband and Miss K. M. Lewis of the National Institute whose work had done so much to shape modern methods of training. The first chapter gives a picture of people who need the social worker's help. It is followed by a brief survey of methods, by three chapters of case studies and by a final chapter on social work in the social services. The book thus combines a philosophy with practical guidance.
This volume is designed to help readers understand the role and function of social workers within the context of a range of social service practice settings -- child welfare, adolescence, older adults, mental health, homelessness, health care and hospice, school social work, religion and spirituality, violence and victim advocacy, and international social work. In it, readers learn to recognize a range of social problems impacting people within society, particularly members of at-risk and disenfranchised populations; understand key psychosocial and clinical issues impacting a range of populations within various theoretical frameworks; and apply key intervention strategies to case studies involving frequently encountered social problems and psychosocial issues. The text is consistent with the new CSWE EPAS, emphasizes ethical practice by infusing the NASW Code of Ethics throughout, integrates the use of technology, explores the role of religion and spirituality in the helping process, and examines social policy and legislation through a comprehensive history of related federal policy and legislation.
Learn how social workers use their professional expertise to assist people. The Social Work Experience: An Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare introduces students to the social work profession and presents detailed descriptions of eight major fields of practice. The text provides in-depth information concerning major social welfare policies that are are presented in historical perspective, along with thorough discussion of current issues and probable future trends. Major case studies assist students in understanding how professional expertise can advance social-work practice and how enlightened social policies must be present if professional interventions are to be effective. The first four chapters of the text introduce the social work profession, present theoretical perspectives on which professional practice is based, explore how the intersectionality of multiple factors impacts social justice issues, and then describe social policy issues in historical context. The following eight chapters describe eight major fields of practice along with the history of each one. A thorough and detailed case study begins each chapter, helping to illustrate social work practice in the respective field, and every chapter includes additional case studies to help students better understand the challenges involved in social work practice. The final chapter of the text explores the many probable challenges awaiting contemporary social workers given the social forces impacting society. Also available packaged with MyLab Helping Professions By combining trusted author content with digital tools and a flexible platform, MyLab™ personalizes the learning experience and improves results for each student. MyLab Helping Professions organizes all assignments around the CSWE EPAS for Social Work and CSHSE Standards for Human Services—enabling easy course alignment and reporting. Note: You are purchasing a standalone product; MyLab does not come packaged with this content. Students, if interested in purchasing this title with MyLab , ask your instructor to confirm the correct package ISBN and Course ID. Instructors, contact your Pearson representative for more information. If you would like to purchase both the physical text and MyLab Helping Professions, search for: 013527303X / 9780135273036 The Social Work Experience: A Case-Based Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare plus MyLab Helping Professions with Enhanced eText -- Access Card Package, 7/e Package consists of: 0134544854 / 9780134544854 Social Work Experience, The: A Case-Based Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 7/e 0135205638 / 9780135205631 MyLab Helping Professions with Enhanced Pearson eText -- Access Card -- The Social Work Experience: A Case-Based Introduction to Social Work and Social Welfare, 7/e
This introductory social work book provides both a theoretical and applied overview of the U.S. social welfare system, with international perspectives throughout. Other strengths include themes of empowerment theory and practice and an ecosystems framework. Part I is devoted to the history of social work in the U.S. as well as issues of economic oppression, social oppression, human rights, and restorative justice. Part II is devoted to social work across the life cycle.
There are certain questions that all students considering social work ask. Who are social workers? What is it that social workers do? How is the social work profession changing? What does it take to become a social worker? Ira Colby and Sophia Dziegielewski bring their decades of experience in social work practice and education to answer these questions. This engaging text gives readers a practical guide to the many ways in which social workers effect change in their communities and the world. The authors offer an overview and history of the profession; introduce readers to the practice of social work at the micro, mezzo, and macro level; and finally look closely at the many settings and populations that social workers work with. While realistically portraying the pressures and obstacles that social workers face, Colby and Dziegielewski communicate their own passion for social work.
There are certain questions that all students considering social work ask. Who are social workers? What is it that social workers do? How is the social work profession changing? What does it take to become a social worker? Ira Colby and Sophia Dziegielewski bring their decades of experience in social work practice and education to answer these questions. This engaging text gives readers a practical guide to the many ways in which social workers effect change in their communities and the world. The authors offer an overview and history of the profession; introduce readers to the practice of social work at the micro, mezzo, and macro level; and finally look closely at the many settings and populations that social workers work with. While realistically portraying the pressures and obstacles that social workers face, Colby and Dziegielewski communicate their own passion for social work.
