An awareness of one's own ethical assumptions and how these inform everyday practice is crucial for all student social workers. Social workers who genuinely wish to do the right thing by their services users have no alternative but to constantly think and rethink the principles and assumptions that inform their actions, and this book supports them on their journey to do just that.

This third edition is set out in two parts: Part I deals with broad ideas about values and ethics in general, looking at philosophy, religion and politics, as well as the duty of realism. Part II takes the discussion further, looking at how these general principles are relevant to everyday practice, with chapters on the use and misuse of power, the idea of self-determination, and the challenges of working with people whose experience and outlook are different to one's own.




About the Author
Chris Beckett studied Psychology at Bristol University and qualified as a social worker at Bangor, North Wales, in 1980, going on to work for eighteen years as a social worker and social work manager, and then for fifteen years as a social work lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of East Anglia. He has had a parallel career for some time as a writer of fiction and is now a full-time writer. His novel, Dark Eden was the winner of the Arthur C. Clarke award for 2012. Peter Jordan qualified as a social worker and worked with children and families in a variety of settings, including a Children's Centre. He has been involved with teaching in Higher Education since 2006, first with the Open University and, since 2009, as a fulltime lecturer at the University of East Anglia. He has been involved in research about children's views and experiences of the child protection process. His main research interests are in ethics in professional life and interprofessional working, but he is also interested in the ways that newly qualified workers manage their entry into the profession. Peter has a daughter and lives with her and her mum in Norwich.

Reviews

Without hesitation, I have recommended previous editions of this text to undergraduate students on the social work course. It is a highly readable and accessible text, focusing upon core concepts that should be intrinsic to every social work practitioner. All authors are candid and reflect well on their professional experiences as well as giving a good overview on topics such as the development of values and power. I also really valued the chapters examining philosophy and religious beliefs; the latter, in particular, is often missing from texts on values and ethics and yet remains core to many practitioners and those with whom they work.

-- Robert Hagan

Values and ethics in Social Work' is an essential source for student social workers. Its clarity and accessibility make it an invaluable learning source.

-- Brendan Wood
This is an accessible and well-structured read. Whilst having 'social work' in the title, this book is aimed at a broad audience of social policy, social science, social care as well as social work students and practitioners. It is an up-to-date book, encouraging reflection and analysis, for students and practitioners . -- Adam Barnard



Book Information
ISBN 9781473974814
Author Chris Beckett
Format Paperback
Page Count 200
Imprint Sage Publications Ltd
Publisher Sage Publications Ltd
Weight(grams) 360g