Summary
Contents
This book is a quick and accessible reference guide to the key concepts that social work students and professionals need to understand to be effective. The authors place practice at the center of the text, and include a host of case examples to bring the concepts to life.
Examining the essential topics of the social work curriculum, the concepts covered relate to practice, theory, policy and personal challenges. Further reading is included in each entry, so that the reader can explore what they have learned in more detail.
This book will be an invaluable resource for social work students during their studies and on their practice placement. It will also be useful for qualified social workers, who want to continue their professional education.
Advocacy
Advocacy
Definition
Social workers often work with people who are disempowered and disenfranchised. A core aspect of their role should therefore be to understand people's needs, and work with – and on – their behalf to help them achieve the best possible outcomes. Advocacy is a crucial part of this process; it is about taking action to help people say what they want, secure their rights, represent their interests and obtain services they need (Action for Advocacy, 2002).
Advocacy supports a variety of methods through which service user needs can be expressed and includes: self-advocacy – where individuals are empowered to speak for themselves; group advocacy – where people who share a common experience work together to bring about change; and citizen advocacy – where ...
