The Ethical Foundations of Social Work

The Ethical Foundations of Social Work offers an engaging, theoretically rigorous and practice-orientated grounding in social work ethics. Fully revised and expanded, with the addition of four new chapters on Decolonial Ethics, Social Work and Radicalisation, the Ethics of Recognition and Epistemic Injustice, this book examines when, how and why principles and debates have historically emerged, and explicitly map them onto everyday ethical challenges and situations in social work practice. By presenting and explaining key theories and applying them to real-world practice examples from different regions, The Ethical Foundations of Social Work guides social work students and practitioners in developing ethical reasoning to support ethical decision-making in diverse contexts. Promoting an ethically 'conscious' approach in which principles are integrated flexibly and confidently as tools for critical problem solving, this book serves as a core or supplemental textbook for Social Work Ethics courses at undergraduate or postgraduate levels.

Table of Contents:
0.Introduction – The Importance of Situating the Ethical Social Work Project in a Global, Changing World. Part One - What Is Social Work? 1.The Historical Emergence of Social Work. 2.Contemporary Social Work: Care or Control? Part Two - Ethics in Social Dynamics. 3.Power in Social Work. 4.Epistemic Injustice and Social Work. 5.Radicalisation, Social Work and Society. 6.Empowerment. Part Three - Ethical Perspectives for Social Work. 7.Decolonial Ethics. 8.Kantian ethics, Respect for the Person and Self-Determination. 9.The Ethics of Mill, Bentham and Rawls. 10.Virtue Ethics and Ethics of Care. 11.The Ethics of “Recognition”.

About the Author :
Annie Pullen Sansfaçon is Full Professor of Social Work at the University of Montreal in Canada, and holds the Canada Research Chair ReParE on Partnership Research and the Empowerment of Vulnerable Young People. Stephen Cowden, PhD, is a senior lecturer in Social Work at the University of Gloucestershire. His research interests are diverse but include Social Work Ethics, Critical Pedagogy, and Radicalisation and Safeguarding.

Review :
“In an era where social work is increasingly governed by standardised protocols, the academic study of ethics and philosophy may seem both daunting and an unnecessary luxury. However, few tasks are more complex than promoting the well-being, dignity and autonomy of vulnerable and increasingly diverse service users. One of the greatest strengths of The Ethical Foundations of Social Work (Revised Edition) is its ability to challenge the myth that care, protection and promoting autonomy and dignity are simply "common sense" tasks and that social work is purely a practical profession. This book not only provides a clear introduction to ethical principles and reasoning but also encourages readers to engage with the real-world ethical dilemmas that social workers face in ever-changing social and cultural contexts. By situating social work within broader historical and geopolitical landscapes, Pullen Sansfaçon and Cowden offer a vital resource that fosters critical thinking, ethical reflexivity and political awareness – an essential resource for both students and practitioners.’’ Dr Gurnam Singh, Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Warwick and Visiting Professor of Social Work, Liverpool Hope University, UK. “The Ethical Foundations of Social Work is an essential text, inviting reflexivity and reflection on one's own positionality. This book is a must for social work students, professors, and practitioners, as its pedagogically approached theoretical content invites critical reflection on contemporary socio-political issues. The chapters on epistemic injustice, radicalisation, decolonial ethics and the ethics of recognition are valuable additions to this edition because of their topicality and relevance.” Hélène Albert, Professor of Social Work, The Université de Moncton, Canada “Since the first edition of this text the world has radically changed, this updated edition is vitally needed spotlighting ethical thinking and challenges faced globally including social injustice, oppression, conflict, climate change and far right radicalisation. This accessible book, based on the authors' own research and teaching expertise, advances insight into ethical perspectives and social theories. It is essential reading for students and practitioners, with opportunities to apply learning from the book to complex case studies aiding a depth of learning which will aid social work practice. The text will support students and social workers from across the world to intervene in complex situations developing and actively utilising ethical and critical thinking skills. It is a crucial time for social work to continue to ask the question ‘is this ethical’ promoting social justice, ethical practice and criticality in complex situations, this text is a must read.” Davy Hambling, Senior Lecturer in Social Work, University of Gloucestershire, UK. “The new edition of Pullen Sansfaçon and Cowden is a must for teaching ethics in every social work programme. The authors have successfully renewed and significantly enhanced their work, by integrating contemporary critical ethical theories, particularly the notions of epistemic justice, radicalisation, and decolonial ethics. The manuscript provides concrete interpretive lenses for social work students and echoes the fact that in a world undergoing upheavals, the ethical practice of social work enables resistance and change” Marie-Joëlle Robichaud, Professor at the department of psychoeducation and social work, and Head of Social Work programs, Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières, Canada