Social Work and Social Exclusion: The Idea of Practice

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Ashgate Publishing, Ltd., 2006 - Social Science - 281 pages
Social exclusion is a subject of major importance in contemporary social work and has been a core feature of social policy developments in the UK and Europe in the past decade. Michael Sheppard argues that the issue of social exclusion lies at the very heart of social work and he examines the implications of this position for both theory and practice. He goes on to examine a range of key topics in social work including: Social work values and knowledge; Empowerment; Need; The exercise of authority; Choice; Evidence-based practice; Reflection and reflective learning; Judgement and decision making; Social work and 'art'; and Social work as 'science'. He discusses how each of these topics reflect an underlying concern with social exclusion, making it clear that even though the term 'social exclusion' is of recent origin, it provides a framework for understanding the enduring themes of social work. The book offers an original contribution to the understanding and practice of social work and includes a reappraisal of some fundamental aspects of the profession and its practice. practitioners and students in social work. It will also be of interest within social policy generally, offering an example of the way in which social exclusion becomes an issue of professional concern in welfare, and the form this takes in practice.
 

Contents

II
1
III
5
IV
27
V
39
VI
59
VII
81
VIII
99
IX
115
XI
153
XII
173
XIII
197
XIV
219
XV
235
XVI
249
XVII
271
XVIII
277

X
135

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About the author (2006)

Dr Michael Sheppard is Professor of Social Work at the University of Plymouth, UK.

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