New Politics of Social Work

Stephen A. Webb is Professor of Social Work, Glasgow Caledonian University, UK. Recent books include Evidence-based Social Work (with Gray & Plath, Routledge 2009), Social Work Theories and Methods (with Gray, Sage 2013), and the Sage Handbook of Social Work (with Gray & Midgley, 2012). Webb's critical analysis 'Considerations on the validity of evidence-based practice in social work' (2001) is the world's most cited article in the field and the most influential publication in social work over the last ten years (Hodges et al., 2011). Mel Gray is Professor of Social Work and Research Professor in the Research Institute of Advanced Study for Humanity at the University of Newcastle, Australia. She is Joint Editor of Australian Social Work and is on the editorial boards for several international journals. Her interests range from creativity, morality, spirituality and theory and philosophy in social work to experiential social work education.

• PART I: NEW AGENDAS FOR SOCIAL WORKTowards a 'New Politics' of Social Work M.Gray and S.A.WebbA History of Critical and Radical Social Work; B.PeaseMapping the Theoretical and Political Terrain of Social Work; P.M.GarrettSocial Work and the Politics of Recognition; S. HoustonPART II: POLITICALLY INFORMED SOCIAL WORK PRACTICESCritically Reflexive Practice; C. TaylorCritical Management; John LawlerCritical Best Practice; H.FergusonCritical Discourse Analysis; G.MarstonPART III: TRANSFORMATIVE SOCIAL WORK PRACTICESNew Practices of Empowerment; V.CreeRights-based International Social Work Practice; R.HugmanFemocratic Childcare Governance; T.FindlaySocial orkers as Agents of Change; I.FergusonThe Speculative Left and New Politics of Social Work; M.Gray and S.A.Webb.

The book aims to ‘devise a ‘new politics’ for social work in the belief that [the field] bears a public responsibility to confront injustice while seeking justice for all … A key contribution of the book is its potential to stimulate debate … Readers will find instructive examples of practice and policy aimed at developing and delivering values-based practice in today’s austere human services environment.