Social Work and Social Welfare: An Introduction

Integrating the latest accreditation standards and practices from the field, bestselling SOCIAL WORK AND SOCIAL WELFARE: AN INTRODUCTION, 7e gives readers a solid understanding of the social work profession and the role the profession plays in the social welfare system. In keeping with the current Council on Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards, the text takes a generalist practice perspective in addressing social welfare issues, within the context of the systems/ecological framework, and the overarching framework used by generalist practitioners as they intervene to address social welfare needs at the individual, family, group, organization, community, and societal levels. Illustrating that there are many reasons why social problems occur, the text explores the history, values, economic, political and cultural factors that surround these issues, as well as the attempts to solve or address them. Completely current, the Seventh Edition also includes updates on such key issues as health care and immigration.

Contents: Part I: Understanding Social Work and Social Welfare: Key Concepts and Perspectives. 1. Social welfare, past and present. 2. Social work and other helping professions. 3. The ecological/systems perspective. 4. Diversity and social justice. Part II: Social Work Practice: Methods of Intervention. 5. Social work with individuals, families and groups. 6. Generalist practice with agencies and the community. Part III: Fields of Practice and Populations Served by Social Work. 7. Poverty, income assistance and homelessness. 8. Mental health, substance abuse and developmental disabilities. 9. Health care. 10. The needs of children, youth and families. 11. Services to children, youth and families. 12. Older adulthood: needs and services. 13. Criminal justice. 14. Social work in rural settings. 15. Social work in the workplace. 16. The globalization of social work: what does the future hold? Appendix. Glossary. Index.