Key Concepts and Theory in Social Work

Theory is the cornerstone of social work practice, albeit a subject that students sometimes approach with trepidation. They do find their feet as they begin to understand how theory connects to their developing practice. This well-researched book successfully builds that proverbial bridge between theory and practice by presenting theoretical knowledge, values, and skills in an accessible and readable form. Chapters that tackle power, risk, poverty, difference, social justice, and human rights, and others on skills such as assessment and decision-making, bring the relevance of theory to those practice concerns that have meaning to all social workers. As a teacher of social work theory, I genuinely enjoyed reading this book. It offers a practical and useful approach to learning about and understanding social work theory.

It is difficult to review this book in its entirety because so much is contained within that is important to students, educators, and practitioners. The discussions are insightful, well supported by the literature, and relevant. Different aspects of this book will hold particular interests for different readers. For me, several discussions stayed with me after finishing the book.

The authors draw on Swedberg’s concepts of “discovery” and “justification”, defining discovery as an “activity of thinking about social phenomena” and justification as “theory produced from this activity” (Swedberg, 2014, pp. 9–10). Exposure to theory in higher education and its use in research tends to focus on theory as a finished product. Consequentially, the thinking already conducted by theorists within particular contexts and influences becomes obscured. In short, the authors suggest that reconnecting to the process of thinking (discovery) is just as important as justification. Theory in social work according to Hodgson and Watts is an interactive, critical, and interpretive way of understanding social phenomena. The focus on this book is on discovery through the exploration of key concepts, values, and skills. Critical thinking about theory is encouraged by the strategic use of key questions, exercises at the end of chapters and tables within chapters that pose critical questions and comments (pp. 21–30).

I found the discussion on risk particularly relevant to social workers in a globalised and governed world. Four main points are made that are relevant to the discovery of various theoretical perspectives. First, how risk that is future oriented has come to eclipse need situated in the present. Second, practice oriented towards managing risk has been reduced to a technical activity rather than a therapeutic approach. Third, how the rise of prudentialism and an overemphasis on personal responsibility neglects structural factors and collective responses. Last, the association of risk and individual blame inhibits the service user’s experience and impacts on how social workers can practice. These are important observations regardless of the field of practice.

It was pleasing to see the inclusion of hope as a key concept as hope theory is important to work conducted with all service user groups and is often neglected. The authors critique hope theories, emotional and cognitive, from its philosophical roots through to psychology and social work. The crucial role social workers play in engendering and supporting hope in people who are often in dire and seemingly hopeless situations is emphasised. A deeper examination of hopelessness and demoralisation and how social workers identify such states would have enhanced this section. Certainly, the assumption of supporting hope in all service users is valid and crucial to practice.

Assessment in many contemporary organisations has too often become procedural and synonymous with particular forms of documentation. Similar to critiques of risk, assessment can become organisationally and task driven. The section on theory in assessment returns our thinking to assessment as comprehensive, contextual, and theory-driven, inviting critical examination of deficit-focused approaches.

The intrinsic values of social work are not neglected, nor are discrimination, poverty, and disadvantage. Empathy, reflection, and professional judgement are likewise explored as key elements of practice. As Karen Healy pointed out in the foreword, the world is changing and none more so than that environment in which social workers practice. This book invites all social workers to revisit what is core to our profession and the relationship between theory and practice. The book is a useful resource for students seeking to understand the relationship between theory and practice, educators teaching theory, field supervisors, and other practitioners working with students. I have recommended this book to my students.