Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice
Will be published approx. on 5. March 2026
Book
Hardback
192 pages
978-1-350-50888-0 (ISBN)
Description
Ethical decision-making lies at the heart of social work practice. As a social worker, you'll regularly encounter complex situations where your professional values may conflict with one another.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice guides you through the ethical complexities you may face, helping you develop the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to make sound decisions. Framed around distinct themes, each chapter presents detailed case studies that invite you to reflect on the dilemma as it unfolds, and are opened with unique contributions from experienced social workers who explore ethical ideas through a chosen 'object'.
This book will help you to:
- Connect theory to social work practice in a meaningful and applicable way
- Explore ethical challenges using core social work skills
- Link each topic to a contemporary ethical dilemma beyond the field of social work
Supported by guidance from ethical codes, standards and principles from around the world, this book equips you with the tools to make informed decisions when clear answers aren't always easy to find.
Navigating Ethical Dilemmas in Social Work Practice guides you through the ethical complexities you may face, helping you develop the confidence and critical thinking skills needed to make sound decisions. Framed around distinct themes, each chapter presents detailed case studies that invite you to reflect on the dilemma as it unfolds, and are opened with unique contributions from experienced social workers who explore ethical ideas through a chosen 'object'.
This book will help you to:
- Connect theory to social work practice in a meaningful and applicable way
- Explore ethical challenges using core social work skills
- Link each topic to a contemporary ethical dilemma beyond the field of social work
Supported by guidance from ethical codes, standards and principles from around the world, this book equips you with the tools to make informed decisions when clear answers aren't always easy to find.
Reviews / Votes
This book makes a valuable contribution to the field of values and ethics in social work. Rooted in social work values, such as trust, care and social justice, this resource provides students with practical examples of ethical dilemmas that encourage the reader to really think about and unpick complex ethical ideas. * Mark Gregory, Lecturer in Social Work, University of East Anglia, UK * This eminently readable book explores the moral and ethical dimensions of social work encounters with clarity and honesty. Using true-to-life case studies, it skilfully steers the reader through the complex ethical dilemmas of all aspects of social work practice. * Peter Benbow, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, Nottingham Trent University, UK * In this book, Doel and Beesley introduce an engaging cast of characters experiencing a range of ethical dilemmas, which resonate with the real lives of the service users who students will encounter in practice. This book represents a rich resource to help prepare students for the reality of professional social work. * Sue Taplin, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Winchester, UK *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Bloomsbury Publishing PLC
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 240 mm
Width: 161 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
531 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-350-50888-0 (9781350508880)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Persons
Professor Mark Doel is Emeritus Professor of Social Work at Sheffield Hallam University, UK. He is the author of over 20 books on social work and the curator of the website www.socialworkin40objects.com
Dr Paula Beesley is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Academic Practice Lead at Leeds Beckett University, UK. Her teaching interests are centred in social work skill development and preparation for practice and she has written a book on communication skills and practice placement issues.
Dr Paula Beesley is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Academic Practice Lead at Leeds Beckett University, UK. Her teaching interests are centred in social work skill development and preparation for practice and she has written a book on communication skills and practice placement issues.
Content
1. Introduction
2. Rights and Wrongs
3. Value Conflicts and Choices
4. Power
5. Professionalism
6. Working Relationships
7. Decision Making
8. Rules, Disobedience and Whistleblowing
9. Use of Technology in Social Work Practice
10. Conclusion
2. Rights and Wrongs
3. Value Conflicts and Choices
4. Power
5. Professionalism
6. Working Relationships
7. Decision Making
8. Rules, Disobedience and Whistleblowing
9. Use of Technology in Social Work Practice
10. Conclusion