Perspectives in Social Work Routledge Revivals: Noel Timms Series

Perspectives in Social Work was originally published in 1977 and provides a text for social workers in training to use. The book argues for a more philosophical approach to both understanding and doing social work and seeks to establish simple and basic elements in social work, asking questions such as: what should a social worker be able to do? What should a social worker know and believe? Does social work actually work? In answering these questions the book offers a wide ranging and critical review of literature of the time and looks at social work as a method of altruism. This book is still topical today and acts as a useful document on the subject of social work both through the discussions within, and through the lens of modern change. It will be of particular interest to those studying the history and changes in social work.

Acknowledgements Introduction 1. The Approach of the Book 2. Taking Bearings on Social Work 3. Does Social Work Work? 4. What Should a Social Worker be Able to Do? 5. What Should a Social Worker Know? Some General Considerations 6. Social Work Knowledge – Some Neglected Key Concepts 7. Social Work Knowledge – Findings and Theories 8. Social Work Beliefs and Attitudes 9. A Social Worker Takes Bearings Bibliography