This book examines a participatory approach in child protection practices in both Norway and the United States, despite key organizational differences. Kriz explores ways that children can be empowered to participate in child protection investigations and decisions after removal from home. The author shows how children can be encouraged to develop and express their own opinions and explores tools for child protection workers to negotiate complex boundaries around the inclusion of children in decision-making. She presents valuable insights from front-line child protection professionals' unique perspectives and experiences within two very different systems, and evaluates the impacts of different organizational practices in promoting children's participation.

This book, grounded in a human rights framework, takes a close look at social work approaches and practices in Southeast Europe. Human rights are central in today's understanding of social work as an academic discipline and as a professional practice. Looking at social work through a human rights lens unmasks inequality and discrimination, promotes ethical engagements, and contributes to the social, political, and economic betterment of society. Moreover, human rights and social work are interdependent and have far-reaching implications at macro, mezzo, and micro levels both in the realm of social policy and in professional practice. This collection of eight chapters provides an overview of human rights practices in social work in Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Kosovo, Romania, and Slovenia. It presents state-of-the-art research on human rights and social work through individual country-focused chapters. In addition, it includes an integrative introductory chapter that identifies and discusses the commonalities and differences across the region as well as future directions. The book takes an integrated approach with conversations among the contributors on three main questions: What is the state of human rights in social work? How are human rights practiced in social work? What are the prospects for an integrated approach to human rights in social work in contemporary Southeast Europe? Human Rights in this Age of Uncertainty is essential reading for social work academics and practitioners in Southeast Europe due to its geographic focus and standpoints from the specific countries of the region. The book also should appeal to a wider European audience (especially as the book features chapters from both inside and outside of the European Union), as well as to an international audience of social work scholars. In addition, policy-makers may find the book a useful resource because human rights discourse features prominently in the international approaches to welfare systems across Southeast Europe as part of the Europeanisation processes currently at play.

Dixon examines the social security systems of 172 countries. Focusing on the diverse array of approaches existing today, he explores global social security patterns, recent developments, and future issues, and he assesses and ranks social security programs and systems. By providing a global perspective on social security, Dixon enables scholars, students, and social security administrators to place national and perhaps regional social security policy debates into their larger, regional and global settings. The volume is intended for scholars and graduate students in the broad fields of social work, social welfare, and social security.

This volume brings together academics, activists, social work practitioners, poets, and artists from different parts of the world during the Covid-19 pandemic. It sheds light on how the pandemic has exposed the inequities in society and is shaping social institutions, affecting human relationships, and creating new norms with each passing day. It examines how people from diverse societies and fields of work have come to conceptualise and imagine a new world order based on the principles of social and ecological justice, care, and human dignity. It prioritises the realm of imagination, creativity, and affect in understanding social formations and in shaping societies beyond the positivist approaches. Documenting the myriad experiences and responses to the pandemic, the volume foregrounds varied processes of making meaning; understanding impulses, resistances, and coping mechanisms; and building solidarities. Further, it also acts as a tool of memory for future generations, and articulations- artistic, political, socio-cultural, scientific- of hope and perseverance. This spectrum of expressions intends to value visceral experiences, build solidarities, and find solace in art. Its uniqueness lies in the way it brings together a much-needed interface between science, social sciences, and humanities. A compelling account on our contemporary lives, the volume will be of great interest to scholars of sociology and social anthropology, politics, art and aesthetics, psychology, social work, literature, health, and medical sciences.

For centuries, residential child and youth care systems worldwide have provided homes for vulnerable children and adolescents. The implementation of children's rights, especially the right of participation, is assessed as an important base for promoting the best interests of the child in an out-of-home care environment. Featuring contributions from distinguished international authors, this volume offers an in-depth understanding of crucial participation processes and underlying power structures when involving young people in decision-making about their care and everyday life in different out-of-home care institutions. Contributions cover a broad spectrum of current research findings concerning the participation of young people in foster families and residential living groups in Australia, Canada, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland as well as cross-nationals perspective on children and young people's participation in foster and residential care placements in Great Britain and France. The volume fills major gaps concerning the participation of young people in different out-of-home care and policy settings and will be required reading for policymakers, researchers, practitioners, scholars, and students interested in increasing opportunities for young people's participation and creating better out-of-home care settings for vulnerable young people.

Embodied Social Justice introduces an embodied approach to working with oppression. Grounded in current research, the book integrates key findings from education, psychology, sociology, and somatic studies while addressing critical gaps in how these fields have addressed pervasive patterns of social injustice. At the heart of the book, a series of embodied narratives bring to life everyday experiences of oppression through evocative descriptions of how power implicitly shapes body image, interpersonal space, eye contact, gestures, and the use of touch. This second edition includes two new "body stories" from research participants living and working in the global South. Supplemental guidelines for practice, updated references, and new community resources have also been added. Designed for social workers, counselors, educators, and other human service professionals working with members of disenfranchised and marginalized communities, Embodied Social Justice offers a conceptual framework and model of practice to assist in identifying, unpacking, and transforming embodied experiences of oppression from the inside out.

This book explores two public sector scandals in the UK, drawing on Max Weber's thought on 'the iron cage' to understand how these cases of patient-neglect in NHS hospitals and failures by police and social workers to address the organised sexual exploitation of young girls occurred. Through examination of the management failures and institutional vulnerabilities, and with attention to the trends of bureaucratisation and rationalisation that characterised both scandals, it reveals the explanatory power of Weber's thought, developing a theoretical model that updates and extends Weber's work in light of the cases discussed. The final chapter examines the response to the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights how the focus on a rational techno-medical solution to the pandemic offered by the vaccines together with bureaucratic expansion has created an authoritarian and totalitarian society which represents the ultimate realisation of Weber's iron cage. Showing that ordinary people, including professionals, are still trapped in the 'iron cage', it will appeal to scholars of sociology and social theory, as well as those providing training and working within the caring and service professions of policing, social work and nursing.

Within the last decade, social support has become an increasingly popular research topic among professionals in the social sciences. Many empirical studies on social support appeared initially, only to be followed by a spate of theoretical articles attempting to make sense of the growing research literature. A need arose for an integrative overview of both theoretical and practical considerations expressing a consistent perspective on the many unresolved issues in the field. Social Support comprehensively evaluates research and theory from the perspective of both the scientist and human service provider.

Critical multicultural practice, rather than being a specialism, is integral to Australian social work. Drawing on critical race theory, critical multiculturalism, intersectionality and critical reflection as practice theory, this major new edited collection challenges many of the dominant assumptions of cross-cultural social work and provides instead a new model of transformative engagement. Key concepts are considered, including identity, culture, diversity and superdiversity, how power and privilege shape everyday interactions and what is meant by citizenship in the contemporary context. Part One explores the changing nature of multicultural practice in Australia, including our society's changing demographic profile, the impact of asylum and refugee migrations, race and racism and cultural identity. Indigenous perspectives and the relationship with multicultural practice are examined, together with the ethical and legal basis for multicultural practice. This part concludes with an outline of the editors' framework for critical multicultural practice. Part Two draws on contributions from a range of practitioners and offers new perspectives on diverse fields, including child protection, mental health, disability, ageing, homelessness and rural and regional practice. Featuring case studies and insights drawn from across the spectrum of practice, this book is a vital resource for all social workers practising in Australia today. '[A] rich and nuanced analysis of what is happening at the interfaces of our work and the lives of Australian citizens, [it] articulates ways forward that are genuine, bold and empathetic.' From the foreword by Professor Kerry Arabena, The University of Melbourne

This book provides an overview of risk and protective factors for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth and emerging adults to inform the clinical practice of mental health professionals who work with this population. Documentation of LGBTQ+ health disparities is well-established, but much of that work has focused on adults. Additionally, while there has been a greater push for the integration of mental health practice with general healthcare delivery in recent years, there are few resources for educating mental health professionals on how to work within interdisciplinary teams to address the psychological, physical, and behavioral health care needs of LGBTQ+ people. This book addresses gaps in the literature, such as the needs of young age groups and integration of physical and mental approaches to care, which have traditionally been neglected in the health disparities literature for psychologists and other mental health professionals. This book is grounded in Minority Stress Theory, as well as multicultural, intersectional, and positive youth development frameworks. It emphasizes holistic health perspectives, integrated care approaches (of mental health with general health service delivery), and interdisciplinary team efforts targeting both the psychological and physical health needs of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

Assists social workers in developing knowledge, understanding and skills related to compassion, compassion fatigue, compassion satisfaction, self-compassion, self-care and mindfulness. Considers the implications of these concepts for social work education and practice in social work organisations. Locates these concepts within a political and structural context and explores the relevant critical perspectives for this. Relevant for all social work preparation for practice courses in the UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

* This book provides not only the background to understand the rise of white nationalism violence and domestic terrorism but offers mental health professionals direct guidance to reduce violence and mass shootings. * In a one stop resource, this text provides a wealth of information to better understand the domestic extremism movement and identify key white supremacy groups and their philosophies leading to violent action. * Drawing from the fields of psychology, threat assessment and law enforcement, the authors provide a clear path to understanding the problem as well as taking steps toward to the solution.

Presents innovative ideas and suggestions for a revolutionary social work aim at promoting systemic changes and eliminating the roots of social problems. Provides case-studies from South Africa, Chile, Iran, Europe, Australia and the USA. Includes contributions from some of the most high-profile critical and radical social work academics writing today.

New Labour's modernisation agenda has produced an avalanche of change that has posed formidable challenges for everyone involved in social work, whether as service users, practitioners or managers. "Modernising Social Work" provides a radical appraisal of the far-reaching changes in their theoretical, historical and policy contexts. The book is organised into three sections that consider: the inter-relationship of modernisation and managerialism, modernisation's impact on service users and the ways in which social workers and front-line managers seek to exercise professional discretion for the benefit of service users within a workplace culture of intensified scrutiny and control.There is an analysis of a range of key developments in all three areas that reveals the modernisation agenda as complex and contested. The book's three sections cover the main issues of the modernisation agenda, making it ideal for teaching. Locating the issues in their theoretical, historical and policy contexts meets the needs of student readers and experienced social workers will appreciate the emphasis on empirical research as well as practice experience.

This book serves as an introductory reader for understanding a professional competencies framework for social work through a new approach. It not only discusses what professional competencies are and why they are significant, but it also shows how to develop a professional competencies approach, measure and research competencies, and learn how to use them to empower professional identity and career development. There has been growing interest to define the social work profession within a professional competencies framework. Professional competencies are considered in their complexity as a triangle of knowledge, skills and values. They are not solely a tool for education and practice, but they are also important for professional socialization and identity in social work. A professional competencies approach has been used to define standards and expectations for social workers-practitioners; it is an evaluation tool for formal education and lifelong learning programs, provides guidance for field practice and placements for social work students, and could be a frame for distinguishing levels of professional expertise. The volume provides an up-to-date, comprehensive overview of a professional competencies approach in social work with 10 chapters organized in four sections: Part I: Understanding a Professional Competencies Approach, including Criticisms of the Competency-Based Education Approach Part II: Major Areas of Professional Competencies, including Leadership and Professional Socialisation Part III: Measuring Professional Competencies and Education Outcomes, including How to Conceptualise, Operationalise and Measure Professional Competencies in Social Work Part IV: Professional Competencies and Professional Development, including A Model of Holistic Competence in Social Work and the unique Professional Capabilities Framework Social Work in the Frame of a Professional Competencies Approach is essential reading for social work instructors, academics and national professional associations interested in developing or reviewing their professional competencies framework. It is an invaluable resource for experts in statutory bodies that set up a legislative framework of social work practice or work in the accreditation of social work education programs. The book is useful for social work students interested in understanding the theoretical background of social work, as well as for field practitioners who wish to use professional competencies for their self-reflection, self-evaluation and professional identity.

This book examines systemic family therapy research, addressing key topics across the interrelated disciplines of psychotherapy, social work, and counseling. Drawing from contributions at the 2017 International Systemic Research Conference in Heidelberg, it includes both quantitative and qualitative research perspectives and outlines a wide array of approaches, using systems theory and constructivist epistemology. In addition, the book focuses on innovative paradigms, research strategies, and methods, seeking to bridge the gap between research and practice in the field of systemic family therapy. Finally, it provides guidance on submitting and maximizing the likelihood of research paper acceptance to leading family therapy journals. Topics featured in this book include: Effectiveness of research-informed systemic therapy. Mindfulness and compassion-based interventions in relational contexts. Use of SCORE (Systemic Clinical Outcome and Routine Evaluation) as an indicator of family functioning in Europe. Systemic approaches for working with couples with high conflict behaviors. Therapeutic-Factor-Oriented skill building in systemic counseling. Importance of client feedback in development of professional knowledge base. Systemic Research in Individual, Couple, and Family Therapy and Counseling is a must-have resource for researchers, professors, and graduate students in family therapy, clinical psychology, general practice/family medicine, and social work as well as all interrelated psychology and medical disciplines.

Provides an accessible, research informed book for students, social workers and other social service workers and community development workers focused on practically linking climate change to social justice in their everyday practice. Provides theoretical and contextual analysis linking climate change and social justice and integrates this discussion with specific examples and case studies of original research and innovative practice on the ground. Of interest to all scholars and students of social work, social welfare, community development, international development, community health, environmental and community education and policy.

Provides the first complete survey of the vibrant field of critical and radical social work. Includes 50 newly-written chapters. Contributions in this Handbook make a conscious attempt to strategically add a further vital trajectory of intellectual practice theory to critical and radical social work.

This international and interdisciplinary collection argues for the use of clinical-based practices and research in social work, bringing together critical psychoanalytic ideas into social work practice to help tackle contemporary issues. With a Foreword written by Stephen Webb, this book brings together specialists from the main areas of research and clinical practices in social work, ranging from psychoanalysis, sociology, clinical psychology, ethnopsychiatry and philosophy. Arguing for a movement away from evidence-based practice, chapters discuss the need for psychoanalytic thought in contemporary social work knowledge, how this can be integrated in social work practice and training, the challenges faced by training and practicing social workers and the ethical issues relating to clinical-based practice. Filled with case studies throughout, these diverse and rich contributions will make social workers think deeply about advocacy, ethics and the systemic changes needed in the field. This book will be invaluable reading to training and practicing clinical social workers and mental health professionals interested in social intervention. It will also be interesting to psychoanalysts as well as those studying sociology, clinical psychology and philosophy.

Provides social work students (undergraduate or graduate level) with 50 compelling case examples categorized by maltreatment type(s) and by underlying problems, with intervention plans along with tips for building working alliances with clients. Emphasizes growing the working alliance between social worker and client, reflecting the strength perspective emphasized in social work practice. Suitable for course usage on both BSW and MSW on the following modules: child welfare services; family preservation services; evidence-based practice; and human behavior in the social environment.

This book provides an overview of risk and protective factors for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) youth and emerging adults to inform the clinical practice of mental health professionals who work with this population. Documentation of LGBTQ+ health disparities is well-established, but much of that work has focused on adults. Additionally, while there has been a greater push for the integration of mental health practice with general healthcare delivery in recent years, there are few resources for educating mental health professionals on how to work within interdisciplinary teams to address the psychological, physical, and behavioral health care needs of LGBTQ+ people. This book addresses gaps in the literature, such as the needs of young age groups and integration of physical and mental approaches to care, which have traditionally been neglected in the health disparities literature for psychologists and other mental health professionals. This book is grounded in Minority Stress Theory, as well as multicultural, intersectional, and positive youth development frameworks. It emphasizes holistic health perspectives, integrated care approaches (of mental health with general health service delivery), and interdisciplinary team efforts targeting both the psychological and physical health needs of children, adolescents, and emerging adults.

This evidence-based text explores children's health and wellbeing from birth to adolescence, taking into account the familial, cultural, social, economic, environmental and global contexts of their lives. Divided into three parts, this book draws on an international body of research and theoretical perspectives on the determinants of health, such as hereditary, socioeconomic, environmental, geopolitical, gender and cross-cultural factors. It begins with an overview of child health and wellbeing before exploring global influences on health. The second part of the book focuses on health promotion and safeguarding. The final part looks at a range of health conditions that may impact children's health, including infectious diseases, chronic health conditions and mental health. The book ends with a discussion of the role and contribution of families, carers, health professionals, hospitals, the wider community, charities and government, and examines how children with health needs and their families can best be supported. Each chapter includes critical questions, case studies and reflection points, all followed by a commentary to help the reader to think through the issues. Designed for all those working with children, or studying to work with children, Health and Wellbeing for Babies and Children: Contemporary Issues is ideal for students undertaking courses on public health nursing, children's nursing, early years education, childhood studies and social work, among others.

Psychology of Gang Involvement expands existing knowledge by applying psychological knowledge to gangs, including how gang members think, their mental and emotional well-being, and their perceptions of gang involvement, as well as issues relating to gang prevention and intervention strategies. This book offers readers a clearer understanding of the important role that social psychological processes play in the formation and maintenance of gangs and gang membership. It will enhance readers' understanding of gang members' social cognition, emotional intelligence, well-being, and mental health, as well as how these factors potentially promote and sustain individual gang involvement. Readers will discover also how these important psychological characteristics vary according to an individual's commitment to a gang. Organized in three sections, the first focuses on issues relevant to theoretical perspectives of gang involvement. Chapters include detailed examinations of a gang member's experiences and the implications of these for theoretical development, and considerations of the importance of social and psychological issues such as group processes and levels of commitment to gang membership to, understand and explain involvement in gangs. The second section centers on issues such as adverse childhood experiences and trauma, and examines their links to male and female gang membership as potential risk factors and outcomes of gang involvement. The section concludes by contemplating how the mental health, traumatic experiences, and involvement in violence compares between gang members and other violent men in adulthood. The final section considers current responses to gang membership by evaluating individual and group-based approaches to gang prevention and intervention strategies, and concludes with a theoretical conceptualization of how a strengths-based approach could work to reduce gang involvement. This book will be a useful text for a wide range of readers interested in, or working with gang members, including academics and students, practitioners, youth workers, clinicians, and criminal justice agents.

Social policy is not blind. It has been at the forefront of perpetuating structural inequality in many of the systems charged with serving and protecting. The impact of race on social policy is linked to historical (intended and unintended) patterns of discrimination that have resulted in disparate impact for many across their life course. This book uses critical race theory to examine key social policies. The chapters give primacy to addressing the experiences of African Americans in navigating systems that are flawed by structural racism and yet too often attribute individual pathology rather than systemic injustice to the worsening life circumstances they find themselves in. Using scholarship, personal, and professional experiences, the contributors offer valuable insight on differential treatment and the resulting missed opportunities to address historical barriers that, if not addressed, will continue the cycle of harm for marginalized members in society. The Covid-19 pandemic along with the loss of Black lives through carceral injustices have amplified the national discourse about race and social policy. Additionally, critical race theory has been championed by many as a framework for understanding the structural inequalities that plague our nation. Others have assailed the theory as promoting hate, guilt, and divisiveness. The contributors use critical race theory in combination with other theoretical frameworks to provide context for the persistent and pernicious injustices that have historically plagued society. Their work offers context with the goal of policy changes aimed at eradicating systemic injustices that negatively impact quality of life. Race and Social Policy is a significant new contribution to understanding and addressing systemic and structural racism, and it will be of interest to researchers and advanced students of social work, politics, public policy, and sociology. This book was originally published as a special issue of the journal Social Work in Public Health.