ABSTRACT

Social Work in a Global Context engages with, and critically explores, key issues that inform social work practice around the world.

Social work can take many forms, and is differently understood in different parts of the world. However, at base, it can be seen as a profession which strives to advance the causes of the vulnerable and marginalised with the aim of promoting social justice, equality, and human rights. This text provides examples of social work in a wide range of countries, informing our understanding of what social work is. It looks at how practice changes or stays the same, and at the impact of policy, as experienced by service users as well as by practitioners working in challenging circumstances. It also meaningfully reflects on the strengths and challenges that are enabled by diversity.

Divided into four parts, this wide-ranging text discusses:

 - what social work means in four different countries

 -some examples of the impact social and political context can have on social work practice

 - how social workers see and work with the vulnerable

 - the future for social work, from disaster work to involving service users.

Social Work in a Global Context is the first truly international book for all those interested in comparative and cross-cultural understandings of social work.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

Social work: an emerging global profession

part I|3 pages

Defining and redefining social work in a global context

chapter 1|12 pages

Social work in Australia

Similarities as difference

chapter 2|12 pages

Social work in Aotearoa New Zealand

Social policy, risk and professionalization

chapter 3|18 pages

Evidence-based social work practice

Challenges and opportunities in the global context

part 2|2 pages

Political, social and theoretical context of social work

chapter 5|17 pages

Child and family social work in Canada

Issues and challenges within a neo-liberal political context

chapter 6|13 pages

Politics as social work

The micromanagement of behaviour in the new millennium

part 7|3 pages

Vulnerability and social work response in a global context

chapter 7|14 pages

What kinds of violence and abuse affect vulnerable people?

Reflections on the evolving context of adult protection and safeguarding in the United Kingdom: legislation, regulation and professional practice

chapter 8|17 pages

Social work in a post-9/11 context

Integrative practice with immigrants and refugees in the United States

chapter 9|12 pages

The making of childhood in a post-modern age

Challenges and possibilities for social work in the United States

chapter 10|18 pages

Social work and HIV/AIDS in Botswana

Issues, challenges and the way forward

chapter 11|19 pages

HIV/AIDS in India

Challenges for professional social work

part 4|4 pages

Toward the next generation

chapter 12|14 pages

Involving service users and carers in social work education

A consideration of the UK and global perspectives

chapter 13|17 pages

Social work in Russia

Between the global and the local

chapter 15|15 pages

A social work charter for unexpected disasters

Lessons from the Bam, Iran earthquake

chapter 17|19 pages

Australian social work in the twenty-first century

Workforce trends, challenges and opportunities

chapter |8 pages

Conclusion

Social work: a unique profession in a diverse context