The Profession of Social Work: Guided by History, Led by Evidence

An expert introduction to the foundations of the social work profession—from its historical roots to its evolution in an era of evidence-based practice The Profession of Social Work provides a broad overview of the history, scope, values, ethics, and organizational framework of the social work profession. Exploring professional ethics and human rights, evidence-based practice and practice-guided research, as well as emerging trends and issues, this important book presents topics of critical importance to anyone considering a career in social work. Each chapter in the text offers an array of pedagogical features, including Key Terms, Review Questions for Critical Thinking, and Online Resources. Ideal for introductory courses for both undergraduate and graduate students, The Profession of Social Work features coverage closely aligned with social work accreditation standards (EPAS) and includes chapters authored by established scholars on topics including: Social work history Social work education Professional credentialing and regulations Values and ethics The strengths perspective in social work practice Evidence-based practice and improving the scientific base for social work practice Contemporary issues in social work With a wealth of insider insights into and guidance on the profession of social work, this book is essential reading to prepare for a career in this field.

Table of Contents:
Preface viii About the Editors x Contributors xi Chapter 1 The History of Social Work and Social Welfare 1 Leslie Leighninger Religious Origins of Social Work 1 Government Enters the Picture 4 The Rise of the Market 8 Jane Addams and the Settlement House 13 The Progressive Era 18 Professionalization Begins 20 The Great Depression 23 The Postwar Period and Further Organization 26 The Age of Reagan 28 The Age of Impasse 31 Key Terms 32 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 32 Online Resources 32 References 33 Chapter 2 Educating for Social Work 35 Julia M. Watkins and Jessica Holmes Need for Trained Social Workers 36 Accreditation 37 Purpose of Social Work Education 39 Education for Practice 44 Opportunities and Challenges 45 Curriculum for the 21st Century 47 Key Terms 48 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 48 Online Resources 48 References 49 Chapter 3 Social Work Practice in the New Millennium 51 June G. Hopps and Tony B. Lowe Summary of the Profession’s Evolution 52 Purpose of Social Work Practice 53 Social Work’s Relation to Biological and Social Sciences 56 Conceptual Framework of Practice 57 Primacy of the Methods Triad 60 Treatment and the Joining of Casework and Group Work 68 Fields of Practice 77 The Future 79 Key Terms 80 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 80 Online Resources 80 References 81 Chapter 4 Professional Credentials and Professional Regulations: Social Work Professional Development 91 Donna DeAngelis and Mary Jo Monahan Development of Social Work as a Profession 91 Professional Credentials 92 Key Terms 102 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 102 Online Resources 102 References 103 Chapter 5 Social Work Organizations 105 Gary R. Lowe and Terry L. Singer The Beginning: 1600 to 1900 106 The Educational and Organizational Foundations for Social Work 111 Education 119 The 1950s 122 Fragmentation Versus Unity: A Reflection on a Theme Between Practice and Education 129 Conclusion 134 Key Terms 134 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 135 Online Resources 135 References 136 Chapter 6 Values and Ethics for Professional Social Work Practice 137 Kimberly Strom-Gottfried Understanding Values 137 Opportunities for Conflict 139 Ethics 140 Core Areas in Social Work Ethics 143 Conclusion 158 Key Terms 158 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 158 Online Resources 159 References 159 Chapter 7 The Strengths Perspective: Putting Possibility and Hope to Work in Our Practice 163 Dennis Saleebey Origins and Background of Strengths-Based Knowing and Doing 165 Reaction Against the Medical/Deficit Model 168 Core Conditions of Change and Positive Development 172 Principles of the Strengths Perspective 176 What Are Strengths and How Do You Discover Them? 180 Conclusion 185 Key Terms 186 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 186 Online Resources 187 References 187 Chapter 8 Putting Evidence-Based Practice Into Practice 191 James G. Barber Common Myths About Evidence-Based Practice 192 What Evidence-Based Practice Is 195 Obstacles to Implementation 199 Conclusion 200 Key Terms 201 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 201 Online Resources 201 References 202 Chapter 9 Improving the Scientific Base of Social Work Practice 203 Allen Rubin and Danielle E. Parrish The Research-Practice Chasm 203 Evidence-Based Practice Movement 209 Implications for Making Social Work Practice More Scientific 214 Conclusion 218 Key Terms 219 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 220 Online Resources 220 References 220 Chapter 10 Contemporary Issues in Social Work 225 Stanley L. Witkin and Roberta Rehner Iversen What Do We Mean by ‘‘Issues’’? 225 From the Modern to the Postmodern: Social Construction and Social Work 228 Globalization and Global Social Work 233 Evidence-Based Practice 239 Ethics 245 The Profession, Professionals, and Personalization 250 Key Terms 255 Review Questions for Critical Thinking 256 Online Resources 256 References 256 Author Index 263 Subject Index 267

About the Author :
CATHERINE N. DULMUS, PHD, is Professor, Associate Dean for Research, and Director of the Buffalo Center for Social Research in the School of Social Work at the University at Buffalo, SUNY, and Research Director at Hillside Family of Agencies in Rochester, New York. KAREN M. SOWERS, PHD, is Dean and Beaman Professor in the College of Social Work at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research interests include juvenile justice, sexuality, social work education, child welfare, evidence-based practice, and international social work practice.

Review :
"Students, social work educators, and social work practitioners who want to understand the social work profession of today contextualized in our rich history can stop looking .... I am happy to endorse this book for any introductory course on social work. Undergraduates through doctoral students will find this textbook uniquely informative." (The New Social Worker, 2013)