The Profession of Social Work: Guided by History,Led by Evidence
Buy Rights Online Buy Rights

Rights Contact Login For More Details

More About This Title The Profession of Social Work: Guided by History,Led by Evidence

English

An expert introduction to the foundations of the social work profession—from its historical roots to its evolution in an era of evidence-based practice

The Profession of Social Work provides a broad overview of the history, scope, values, ethics, and organizational framework of the social work profession. Exploring professional ethics and human rights, evidence-based practice and practice-guided research, as well as emerging trends and issues, this important book presents topics of critical importance to anyone considering a career in social work.

Each chapter in the text offers an array of pedagogical features, including Key Terms, Review Questions for Critical Thinking, and Online Resources.

Ideal for introductory courses for both undergraduate and graduate students, The Profession of Social Work features coverage closely aligned with social work accreditation standards (EPAS) and includes chapters authored by established scholars on topics including:

  • Social work history
  • Social work education
  • Professional credentialing and regulations
  • Values and ethics
  • The strengths perspective in social work practice
  • Evidence-based practice and improving the scientific base for social work practice
  • Contemporary issues in social work

With a wealth of insider insights into and guidance on the profession of social work, this book is essential reading to prepare for a career in this field.

English

CATHERINE N. DULMUS, PHD, is Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the Buffalo Center for Social Research in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and Research Director at Hillside Family of Agencies in Rochester, New York.

KAREN M. SOWERS, PHD, is Dean and Beaman Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests include juvenile justice, sexuality, social work education, child welfare, evidence-based practice, and international social work practice.

English

Preface viii

About the Editors x

Contributors xi

Chapter 1 The History of Social Work and Social Welfare 1
Leslie Leighninger

Religious Origins of Social Work 1

Government Enters the Picture 4

The Rise of the Market 8

Jane Addams and the Settlement House 13

The Progressive Era 18

Professionalization Begins 20

The Great Depression 23

The Postwar Period and Further Organization 26

The Age of Reagan 28

The Age of Impasse 31

Key Terms 32

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 32

Online Resources 32

References 33

Chapter 2 Educating for Social Work 35
Julia M. Watkins and Jessica Holmes

Need for Trained Social Workers 36

Accreditation 37

Purpose of Social Work Education 39

Education for Practice 44

Opportunities and Challenges 45

Curriculum for the 21st Century 47

Key Terms 48

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 48

Online Resources 48

References 49

Chapter 3 Social Work Practice in the New Millennium 51
June G. Hopps and Tony B. Lowe

Summary of the Profession’s Evolution 52

Purpose of Social Work Practice 53

Social Work’s Relation to Biological and Social Sciences 56

Conceptual Framework of Practice 57

Primacy of the Methods Triad 60

Treatment and the Joining of Casework and Group Work 68

Fields of Practice 77

The Future 79

Key Terms 80

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 80

Online Resources 80

References 81

Chapter 4 Professional Credentials and Professional Regulations: Social Work Professional Development 91
Donna DeAngelis and Mary Jo Monahan

Development of Social Work as a Profession 91

Professional Credentials 92

Key Terms 102

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 102

Online Resources 102

References 103

Chapter 5 Social Work Organizations 105
Gary R. Lowe and Terry L. Singer

The Beginning: 1600 to 1900 106

The Educational and Organizational Foundations for Social Work 111

Education 119

The 1950s 122

Fragmentation Versus Unity: A Reflection on a Theme Between Practice and Education 129

Conclusion 134

Key Terms 134

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 135

Online Resources 135

References 136

Chapter 6 Values and Ethics for Professional Social Work Practice 137
Kimberly Strom-Gottfried

Understanding Values 137

Opportunities for Conflict 139

Ethics 140

Core Areas in Social Work Ethics 143

Conclusion 158

Key Terms 158

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 158

Online Resources 159

References 159

Chapter 7 The Strengths Perspective: Putting Possibility and Hope to Work in Our Practice 163
Dennis Saleebey

Origins and Background of Strengths-Based Knowing and Doing 165

Reaction Against the Medical/Deficit Model 168

Core Conditions of Change and Positive Development 172

Principles of the Strengths Perspective 176

What Are Strengths and How Do You Discover Them? 180

Conclusion 185

Key Terms 186

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 186

Online Resources 187

References 187

Chapter 8 Putting Evidence-Based Practice Into Practice 191
James G. Barber

Common Myths About Evidence-Based Practice 192

What Evidence-Based Practice Is 195

Obstacles to Implementation 199

Conclusion 200

Key Terms 201

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 201

Online Resources 201

References 202

Chapter 9 Improving the Scientific Base of Social Work Practice 203
Allen Rubin and Danielle E. Parrish

The Research-Practice Chasm 203

Evidence-Based Practice Movement 209

Implications for Making Social Work Practice More Scientific 214

Conclusion 218

Key Terms 219

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 220

Online Resources 220

References 220

Chapter 10 Contemporary Issues in Social Work 225
Stanley L. Witkin and Roberta Rehner Iversen

What Do We Mean by ‘‘Issues’’? 225

From the Modern to the Postmodern: Social Construction and Social Work 228

Globalization and Global Social Work 233

Evidence-Based Practice 239

Ethics 245

The Profession, Professionals, and Personalization 250

Key Terms 255

Review Questions for Critical Thinking 256

Online Resources 256

References 256

Author Index 263

Subject Index 267

English

"Students, social work educators, and social work practitioners who want to understand the social work profession of today contextualized in our rich history can stop looking .... I am happy to endorse this book for any introductory course on social work. Undergraduates through doctoral students will find this textbook uniquely informative." (The New Social Worker, 2013)
loading