1st Edition
Ethical Practice in Social Work An applied approach
This innovative text shows why ethics is so important for social work practice, that it is not simply a way of defining and understanding what is good in practice, but is a means by which social work and other caring professions can actually achieve good practice.'
Professor Richard Hugman, University of NSW
This book integrates ethical theory and political philosophy into a clear yet challenging framework for ethical action in social work. Firmly grounded in practice examples, it will be of great interest both to students and practitioners in the field.'
Professor Sarah Banks, Durham University
In an increasingly fragmented and regulated world, the authors of Ethical Practice in Social Work argue that social work has become detached from its ethical roots. Their aim is to reinstate ethics as the driving force of good social work and welfare practice.
Ethical Practice in Social Work provides the tools to develop essential ethical decision-making and problem-solving skills. Taking an applied approach with case studies in each chapter, the authors demonstrate how ethical principles can be used to transform practice into an effective, inclusive and empowering process for both professionals and their clients.
They discuss the ethical principles social workers have traditionally adhered to, the role of the good social worker' in the contemporary context, professionalism, and the way in which ethics can be used to reconcile the often differing demands of employers, community groups, clients, the profession and their own personal values.
Ethical Practice in Social Work is a valuable professional reference and student text.
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Part One: Challenges for ethical practice
1. Social work in its environment
2. Context of professional practice
3. What ethics?
Part Two: Meeting the challenge - social work ethics
4. Codes of ethics
5. The purpose of social work
Part Three: Social work and ethics in practice
6. Autonomy, paternalism and self-determination
7. Privacy and confidentiality
8. Social control and toleration
Part Four: Ethics - The source of power in social work
9. Ethical decision-making
10. Ethics: The source of power in social work
References
Index
Biography
Wendy Bowles is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University and co-author of Research for Social Workers. She has served on the National Ethics Committee of the Australian Association of Social Workers.
Michael Collingridge is Professor and Head of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Charles Sturt University, and has taught and researched in professional ethics and law for many years.
Steven Curry is Research Fellow at the Centre for Applied Philosophy and Public Ethics, University of Melbourne, and has worked with government and professional organisations on issues of ethics and professional practice.
Bruce Valentine is Lecturer in Social Work at Charles Sturt University and has extensive experience in the fields of health and welfare.
