Book review
Title: Understanding and Using Theory in Social Work
Author(s): Oko, Juliette
Year: 2008
Edition: 1
Number of pages: 160
Publisher: Learning Matters
ISBN: 9781844451395
Price: £17.99
Reviewer: Caroline James, Practice Assessor, Childline/NSPCC
Review date: 26/02/2009
This book from the ‘Transforming Social Work Practice’ series is aimed at students on social work degree courses. As a counsellor and practice assessor working in the voluntary sector I have found this book an excellent introduction to social work theory and how it is put into practice and I will use it with students on placement and in the day to day work that I do with the volunteers and staff that I manage.
The book is well written and structured in a reader-friendly way, with the heading Achieving a Social Work Degree, then a list of the Key Roles and relevant Values and Ethics that are covered, at the start of each chapter. There is a good index, references section and glossary of terms at the back. Each chapter explains a theory and uses case studies and reflective activities to develop understanding. The author helps the reader understand how theories are used through an issue based approach to learning which presents social work as an applied activity. The book encourages students to continually critically review and evaluate their knowledge and skills.
Chapter 1: Introduction to understanding social work theory
The first chapter explores different definitions of social work and their influence on social work practice. There are sections on social work as a contested activity, understanding the role of theory to inform our practice, critical thinking and using reflection to inform practice.
Chapter 2: The relationship between theory and practice in social work
This chapter explores the contribution of formal theories about the nature of society and how these contribute to views about the nature and purpose of social work. It also looks at informal theories and their contribution to practice. It covers a social constructionalist approach, consensus theory, conflict theory, interpretivist theory, how social theories can be used by social workers, individual rights and responsibilities and the empowerment approach.
Chapter 3: Values and ethics in social work
The centrality of values and ethics in the decision making process are explored here.
There are sections on: values and ethics, personal values and thinking critically, the professional context of social work, comparing traditional and emancipatory values, professional codes of ethics and conduct, GSCC Code of Practice for Social Care Workers, ethical theories and components of ethical decision making.
Chapter 4: Social work and its organisational context
This chapter looks at organisational changes in the field of health and social care. The author emphasises the importance of the reflective practitioner and how being that and possessing the individual qualities that a social worker should have, enables a social worker to be an active participant in the development of their professional practice. It explores defining a social work organisation, social work and management, the formal structure of a social work organisation, the impact of modernisation and managerialism on social work practice, culture and informal structures, leadership and management, the value base of social care organisations, the value of supervision and gives a summary of key characteristics of a learning organisation.
Chapter 5: Putting theory into practice
Here the author explores the development of an emancipatory approach to social work and how the process of critical analysis and reflection remain central to thinking about the link between theory and practice in social work. In this final chapter there are sections on defining empowerment, linking theory with practice using an issue-based approach to learning, a proactive approach to practice and the process of critical debate and reflection, integrating theory with practice.
I found the book’s layout helpful and the comments, reflective activities and scenarios helped make it real and easy to apply to work situations whilst developing knowledge of the theories being explored. I would use this book to develop my personal knowledge and in supervision sessions with my MA social work student on her first placement.
