Core Social Work: International Theory, Values and Practice

by Willem Blok

Overview

It is important for practising and trainee social workers to have a full understanding of the work they do and its role in society.

This book provides an introduction to 'the essentials' of social work. Written from an international perspective, the author details the core theory, values and practice which unite social workers around the world. He covers professional standards, social work education and training and social work structures, and outlines a vision of the future of social work: where it is now, and what needs to be done to protect its identity.

This accessible text will be required reading for social work professionals and students.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781849051767
Publisher:	Kingsley, Jessica Publishers
Publication date:	02/15/2012
Pages:	192
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.60(d)

About the Author

Willem Blok is senior lecturer of social work studies at the NHL University of Applied Sciences in Leeuwarden, the Netherlands. He is a qualified social worker and sociologist and has lectured and worked around the world.

Table of Contents

Foreword Stephen A. Webb 11

Preface and Acknowledgements 13

Introduction 15

I.1 Approach 16

I.2 Structure 18

I.3 Character 19

1 Social Work 20

1.1 Aim and content 20

1.2 Professional ethics 22

1.3 Social work education 27

1.4 Body of knowledge 30

1.4.1 Humanistic psychology 32

1.4.2 Holistic approach 33

1.4.3 Ecological Systems Theory 34

1.4.4 Communicative action: Life World and System World 34

1.4.5 Planned Change Theory 35

1.4.6 Tasks, roles, and functions in society 35

2 Surviving - Needs and Social Conditions 37

2.1 Unequal chances 37

2.2 Needs and desires 39

2.2.1 Hierarchy of Needs 39

2.2.2 Motivation theories 42

2.2.3 16 basic needs 46

2.3 The 'whole' human being 48

2.3.1 Holism 48

2.3.2 Holistic interactionism 53

2.4 Life conditions: Ecological Systems Theory 55

2.5 Communicative action: Life World and System World 59

2.6 Practice: the basics of social work 62

2.6.1 Nature and nurture 62

2.6.2 Social environment: micro, meso, and macro 63

2.6.3 Groups, structures, roles, andpower 67

2.6.4 Abilities, attitude, and skilb 69

2.6.5 Unsatisfied needs 71

2.6.6 Problem solving and compensation 74

3 Development and Change 77

3.1 About developing, changing, and improving 77

3.2 Aspects of change 82

3.2.1 Scale 83

3.2.2 Cause 84

3.2.3 Angle 85

3.2.4 Nature 86

3.2.5 Extent 87

3.2.6 Tempo 88

3.2.7 Impact 88

3.2.8 Course 90

3.2.9 Steering 90

3.3 Planned change and beyond 92

3.4 The social worker as 'change agent' 96

3.4.1 Spontaneous and planned change 97

3.4.2 Problem-solving models 99

3.4.3 Interventions 107

3.4.4 Methods and strategy 111

3.4.5 Integrative approach: towards a new methodology of changing 115

4 Help and Support 121

4.1 Purpose and tasks of social work 121

4.2 Roles 126

4.3 Professional action repertoire 128

5 Position and Functions of Social Work in Society 132

5.1 Social work and social policy133

5.1.1 Social quality 133

5.1.2 Local social policy 137

5.2 Social work and democracy 141

5.2.1 Democratic policy development and decision making 142

5.2.2 Tasks and roles of social work in the democratic process 144

5.2.3 The democratic need for a balance of powers 145

5.3 Overview 147

6 Perspectives 149

6.1 Development of social work 149

6.2 Globalization 153

6.2.1 International organizations 156

6.2.2 International journals and magazines 156

6.2.3 Data banks and portals on the internet 156

6.2.4 Books 156

6.3 Neoliberal social policy 157

6.3.1 Market, management, and profession 160

6.3.2 Growing critics and international movement 163

6.3.3 Pros, cons, and damage 167

6.4 Democratic and professional ways out and forward 171

6.4.1 A democratic way out 171

6.4.2 Moving forward as a profession 173

6.4.3 Think global, act local, and behave social! 177

References 178

Index 183

Figures and drawings

Figure 2.1 Hierarchy of Needs (based on Maslow 1954) 40

Figure 2.2 Overview of contemporary motivation theories in management (based on Nieuwenhuis 2010, translated by W. Blok) 44

Figure 2.3 The Ecological Systems Theory (based on Bronfenbrenner 1994) 58

Figure 2.4 The individual person as member of a group 63

Figure 2.5 The individual in society 65

Figure 2.6 Russian dolls 65

Figure 2.7 How social stratification works 67

Figure 2.8 Individual and social conditions of a person 70

Figure 2.9 (Labelling of) mismatches between individual needs and social conditions 72

Figure 2.10 Division of tasks between health care and social care 73

Figure 2.11 Mismatches, problems, and solutions 75

Figure 3.1 Order of ranking in continuance and change (based on Zwart and Middel 2005, p.60) 81

Figure 3.2 Reception of and reaction to change 82

Figure 3.3 Change and changing 83

Figure 3.4 SCANETICS as a memory aid for aspects of change 83

Figure 3.5 Scale of change 83

Figure 3.6 Cause of change 84

Figure 3.7 Angle of change 85

Figure 3.8 Nature of change 86

Figure 3.9 Extent of change 87

Figure 3.10 Tempo of change 88

Figure 3.11 Impact of change 89

Figure 3.12 Course of change 90

Figure 3.13 Steering of change 91

Figure 3.14 Three-steps process, based on Lewin (1951) 93

Figure 3.15 Strategies of change, surrounded by their characteristics (based on Bennis et al. 1985) 95

Figure 3.16 Planned and actual change 97

Editorial Reviews

This is an important book, one that reminds us that in other areas of the world social work is more properly regarded as a profession, rather than the managerial dominated, bureaucratic people-processing situation that exist in the UK...This is a thoughtful and stimulating book.

PSW - Professional Social Work

The combination of the familiar and less familiar in an international context makes this a 'must' for inclusion on any core social work reading list. Willem Blok's readable and accessible style will appeal to students seeking to understand complex theoretical ideas. Most importantly the reader will come away equipped to enter the critical debate on the current state of social work and its future direction.

Martin Sheedy

This important book by Willem Blok brings a fresh but closely considered perspective to important aspects of social work practice… It is fair to say that this book bears the fruit of many years of research and practice experience much of which the author gleaned through international perspectives and travels…This book is a welcome contribution and will be a most useful guide for students of social work and its practitioners. I would like to hope that student and practitioners of social work invest time in reading it carefully from cover to cover.

From the Foreword by Stephen A. Webb

I felt the book provided a great overview and foundation for any social work student or practiti0ner - a solid introduction to the essentials, history, development, context and key issues. it provides an excellent framework for discussion, additional input, further development, coordination and strengthening of the profession, going forward in an increasingly international context.... Mr Blok did an excellent job and I would not be without his book in my small library of essentials.

IASW - Irish Social Workers

Students will benefit from reading this fresh approach to social work and educators will find in it many resources on which they can draw in their teaching.

British Journal of Social Work