Power is an unavoidable issue in social work. This important text explores these complex issues, both at a conceptual and applied level, in order to give students a clear understanding of the theoretical frameworks relevant to practice and to help them begin to think through the challenges they are likely to face and how they will deal with these.
PART 1: IDEAS OF POWER Why do we need to think about Power
Ideas about Power
Modes of Power
Sites of Power
PART 2: MECHANISMS OF POWER Structural Influences on Practice
Professionals and Organisations: Autonomy or Constraint
The Myth of Powerlessness: Service user Strategies
PART 3: TAKING, MAKING AND USING POWER Empowering Relationships: Growth and Change
Beyond the Individual: Groups, Communities and Systems
Changing the World: The Challenges for Social Work.
