Power is an unavoidable issue in social work. This important text explores these complex issues, both at a conceptual and applied level, in order to give students a clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks relevant to practice and to help them begin to think through the challenges they are likely to face and how they will deal with these.
'...a clear, well written book...It gives an accurate, and, in many ways, an inspiring, sense of what underlies our profession.' - David Pitcher, Senior Practitioner, Plymouth City Council, Children's Services, British Journal of Social Work
PART 1: IDEAS OF POWER
Why do we need to think about Power
Ideas about Power
Modes of Power
Sites of Power
PART 2: MECHANISMS OF POWER
Structural Influences on Practice
Professionals and Organisations: Autonomy or Constraint
The Myth of Powerlessness: Service user Strategies
PART 3: TAKING, MAKING AND USING POWER
Empowering Relationships: Growth and Change
Beyond the Individual: Groups, Communities and Systems
Changing the World: The Challenges for Social Work
Dr ROGER SMITH is Professor of Social Work Research at De Montfort University, UK. He qualified as a social worker in 1980, practicing in probation and youth justice settings. He has worked as head of policy with The Children's Society, and as course director for social work at the University of Leicester.
Description
Power is an unavoidable issue in social work. This important text explores these complex issues, both at a conceptual and applied level, in order to give students a clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks relevant to practice and to help them begin to think through the challenges they are likely to face and how they will deal with these.
Reviews
'...a clear, well written book...It gives an accurate, and, in many ways, an inspiring, sense of what underlies our profession.' - David Pitcher, Senior Practitioner, Plymouth City Council, Children's Services, British Journal of Social Work
Contents
PART 1: IDEAS OF POWER
Why do we need to think about Power
Ideas about Power
Modes of Power
Sites of Power
PART 2: MECHANISMS OF POWER
Structural Influences on Practice
Professionals and Organisations: Autonomy or Constraint
The Myth of Powerlessness: Service user Strategies
PART 3: TAKING, MAKING AND USING POWER
Empowering Relationships: Growth and Change
Beyond the Individual: Groups, Communities and Systems
Changing the World: The Challenges for Social Work
Authors
Dr ROGER SMITH is Professor of Social Work Research at De Montfort University, UK. He qualified as a social worker in 1980, practicing in probation and youth justice settings. He has worked as head of policy with The Children's Society, and as course director for social work at the University of Leicester.
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