Jean Vanier: An Alternative Voice for the Social Work Profession

Abstract

Social work has tended, in recent years toward an embrace of professionalism and of praxis founded in science and management theory. This article proposes that social work, in its narrowing emphasis on evidence-based practice and on professionalism, moves not only away from its founding traditions, but ignores the informal and unarticulated interventions of its own practitioners. The thought of Jean Vanier related to his deep religious commitment to Christianity, his vision of a caring and loving community, and his use of evocative language to articulate his vision, all contribute to a conception of helping others that challenges the limits of the rational-technical and professional model so endorsed by contemporary social work.

Keywords:

• community of care
• evocative language
• social work
• Vanier