Social Work
A Critical Approach to Practice
2nd Edition
Published on 31. March 2012
Book
Paperback/Softback
232 pages
978-1-4462-0052-0 (ISBN)
Description
Social work is a human profession founded on social justice. It is difficult however to negotiate this in the constantly-changing context of the twenty first century. Now in its' second edition, this book considers the critical tradition of social work and updates it with postmodern thinking. Jan Fook draws on critical reflection to help social workers deliver flexible, responsible and responsive practice and to celebrate the ageless ideals of the profession.
Key ideas covered in the text include:
- Postmodernism
- Critical theories
- Critical reflection
- Contextuality
The author draws on her own experiences, to relate theoretical ideas to real life. Summaries, exercises and further reading are also included in each chapter.
The book will be essential reading for all undergraduate students of social work. It will also be a valuable resource for postgraduate students and qualified professionals, who want to revisit the critical tradition of social work.
Key ideas covered in the text include:
- Postmodernism
- Critical theories
- Critical reflection
- Contextuality
The author draws on her own experiences, to relate theoretical ideas to real life. Summaries, exercises and further reading are also included in each chapter.
The book will be essential reading for all undergraduate students of social work. It will also be a valuable resource for postgraduate students and qualified professionals, who want to revisit the critical tradition of social work.
Reviews / Votes
'The strength of this book lies in its coherent exposition of a critical stancetowards both technocratic and structural social work, offering something
strong and coherent in their place. It expounds an approach to critical practice
that is both theoretically grounded and accessible to students and practitioners.
Students can engage with the issues and use Fook's work to understand and
develop their practice differently'
Dr Carolyn Taylor
Department of Applied Social Science, University of Lancaster
'This second edition is a very welcome addition to the library shelf. Aimed at social work students and practitioners, this revised volume identifies the features of a critical approach to social work practice. These include commitments to anti-oppressive practice and social change, and the recognition that personal problems can be traced back to the socio-economic contents of individual lives. Any reader - from new student to seasoned practitioner - will find something here to sharpen up their critical thinking and the way they work' -
Professional Social Work
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 242 mm
Width: 170 mm
Weight
404 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4462-0052-0 (9781446200520)
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
Other editions
New editions
Book
04/2016
3rd Edition
SAGE Publications Ltd
€59.60
Article exhausted; check for reprint
Person
Jan Fook has social work degrees from the University of New South Wales and the University of Sydney and PhD from the University of Southampton and is a Fellow of the Academy of Social Sciences (UK). She has had a long career as a social work educator and a Professor of Education and has also worked in continuing education and the interprofessional field in Australia, the UK, Canada, Norway and the USA. She is currently Professor and Chair of the Department of Social Work at the University of Vermont. She is best known for her work on critical social work, practice research and critical reflection and has published extensively in these areas. She has travelled widely delivering lectures and workshops on critical reflection.
Content
PART ONE: CRITICAL POTENTIAL AND CURRENT CHALLENGES
The Critical Tradition of Social Work
Current Contexts of Practice: Challenges and Possibilities
PART TWO: RETHINKING IDEAS
New Ways of Knowing
Power
Discourse, Language and Narrative
Identity and Difference
PART THREE: REDEVELOPING PRACTICES
Critical Deconstruction and Reconstruction
Empowerment
Problem Conceptualization and Assessment
Narrative Strategies
Contextual Practice: Strategies for Working in and with Contexts
Ongoing Learning
The Critical Tradition of Social Work
Current Contexts of Practice: Challenges and Possibilities
PART TWO: RETHINKING IDEAS
New Ways of Knowing
Power
Discourse, Language and Narrative
Identity and Difference
PART THREE: REDEVELOPING PRACTICES
Critical Deconstruction and Reconstruction
Empowerment
Problem Conceptualization and Assessment
Narrative Strategies
Contextual Practice: Strategies for Working in and with Contexts
Ongoing Learning