The Future of Social Work

1. Front Matter

   Pages i-ix

   PDF

2. Introduction

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 1-17

3. Origins and Trajectory

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 19-28

4. Faith and Social Work

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 29-37

5. Family and Feminism

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 39-46

6. Social Control and ‘Black Lives Matter’

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 47-56

7. Inequality and Coercion

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 57-63

8. Poverty and Income Security

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 65-73

9. Conclusions

   • Bill Jordan

   Pages 75-81

10. Back Matter

    Pages 83-95

    PDF

This book is an up-to-date analysis of the issues facing the future of the social work profession in the face of rising political authoritarianism, economic inequality and insecurity, class and racial conflicts, fiscal pressure and the COVID-19 pandemic. It provides an account of how these factors interact, and what their consequences are for policy and practice. Reflecting the author's experiences in Europe and Commonwealth countries, the book is international in its scope and analysis. It is suitable for professionals and students alike, and will also be relevant for social policy academics and researchers.

• well-being
• poverty
• coercion
• COVID-19
• social care
• social work
• social policy

“The book is very ambitious and impressive, covering a lot of ground in a very condensed way. … Each chapter has its own abstract, keywords and list of references, making it easy to use as a springboard for further exploration. … a very gripping and dense text, written with feeling and commitment and a great deal of erudition and experience.” (Bronwen Williams, Journal of Social Work Practice, November 30, 2022)

• EXETER, UK

  Bill Jordan

Bill Jordan is Honorary Professor of Social Policy at the University of Plymouth, UK. He has held visiting chairs in Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark, Slovakia and Hungary. He worked for 20 years in the UK social services, and is the author of 27 books on social policy, social theory, politics and social work.

Policies and ethics