Lessons from the Past
Issues for Social Work Theory
1st Edition
Published on 14. November 2025
296 pages
978-1-040-44860-1 (ISBN)
Description
In these times of financial stringency and conservatism in the public sector, social work, with its diversity and differentiation, is criticized for its lack of efficiency and cost effectiveness. First published in 1990, Lessons from the Past demonstrates the need for a more refined theory and practice to benefit social workers, their clients, and their agencies, as well as influencing government legislation and policies.
Richard Roberts criticizes and evaluates a significant body of social work writings from the 1970s in its search for a 'grand', all-encompassing theory. Variously described as 'generic', 'integrated' or 'unitary', these theories attempted to construct propositions that would accommodate social work's broad domain, regardless of setting, method of intervention, or socio-political context.
Crisp and innovative, Lessons from the Past will prove invaluable to professionals and students of social work, social policy, and the social sciences.
Richard Roberts criticizes and evaluates a significant body of social work writings from the 1970s in its search for a 'grand', all-encompassing theory. Variously described as 'generic', 'integrated' or 'unitary', these theories attempted to construct propositions that would accommodate social work's broad domain, regardless of setting, method of intervention, or socio-political context.
Crisp and innovative, Lessons from the Past will prove invaluable to professionals and students of social work, social policy, and the social sciences.
More details
Series
Edition
1. Auflage
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
File size
15,39 MB
ISBN-13
978-1-040-44860-1 (9781040448601)
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
Additional editions
Book
approx. 01/2026
1st Edition
Routledge
€48.40
Not yet published
Book
11/2025
1st Edition
Routledge
€133.70
Shipment within 15-20 days
Person
Richard Roberts, at the time of the first publication, was Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of New South Wales, Australia.
Content
1. Introduction Part 1: Theory 2. Orientation to 'Theory' and Theory Construction 3. 'Theory' and 'Action', 'Practice Theory' and 'Theory for Practice' 4. Meta-Theory: 'Ends' and 'Means', and the Context of Practice Part 2: The Data 5. Explication and Critique of Four Conceptual Frameworks Part 3: The Findings 6. Purposes of 'Integrated' Theory 7. Problems in achieving an 'Integrated' Social Work Theory 8. Nomenclature 9. Historical Influences 10. Relationship to Social Systems Analysis Part 4: Contribution 11. The Contribution of 'Integrated' Theory to Social Work Part 5: Conclusion 12. The Need for a more Modest and Rigorous Social Work Theory
