1. Historical Perspectives on Social Work

2. Social Work is an ever changing concept
We have seen that Social work is a contested concept and at any one point there are competing definitions
Since the early days it has been associated with continual change and critical reflection on what it is and where it takes place.
It has been identified with social justice and with disempowered members of society

3. Social Work:
has been identified with the policy failures in health, crime and education
about dealing with those ‘in need’
those that are seen as ‘troublesome’ and troubling in society
The functions of Social Work have been influenced by these themes

4. Political ideology and approaches to welfare
Social work has been influences by political movements; by linking Malcom Payne’s 3 different approaches of welfare to the history of social work and building on our understandings of various political ideologies;
we can examine the influence these differing ideologies, discourses and paradigms have on us as social work practitioners

5. What is a Paradigm?
A frame work containing the commonly accepted views about a subject
A belief system (theory) that guides the way we do things or establishes a set of practices
It can range from influencing our thoughts to actions and behaviour

6. Examples of ideology COS- Saw social work as being about individuals
So by working to educate them –this would change them and societies problems!
Other political movements rejected individual case work
As it believed it diverted SW away from the key concepts of combating disadvantage and poverty.

7. Marxist ideological view:
A belief that throughout history one societal class has held political and economic control within society over another
It focuses on one class (upper class) oppressing the lower classes
Thus human actions and institutions are economically and politically controlled and that therefore class struggle is needed to create change by helping individuals to overcome the external mechanisms of power, economy and resources that are the real cause of their problems

8. Marxism and Critical / Radical Social Work
A Marxist view of the world transferred to social work then:
Sees social problems as arising from various forms oppression and class control.
SW is about helping Service Users to gain power over decisions and actions by reducing the social blocks and barriers to power
It’s about helping to address social injustices, as opposed to focusing on individual people's problems.
If SW’s don't think analytically about what they do they could become an instrument of class control and could maintain the capitalist state of working class subordination

9. Feminist ideology:
Feminism has its origins in the women's liberation movement of the 1960s
It aims to understand the nature of gender inequality and examine women's social roles
To empower them and help society recognise the impact of male supremacy and power
It focuses on critiquing social relations and promoting women’s rights and issues
women's oppression is caused by their economic dependence and male domination
It aims to change women’s positions and bring about gender equality
The transformation of gender relations is at the heart of the social processes

10. Feminism and social work
Education is a means to change and highlight explanations for men’s violence, aggressive behaviour and power
Drives the focuses away from mother blaming and mothering practices which excludes the male role and male responsibility
Alerting workers to deal with both male and female service users on issues of abuse and violence
It’s focus on the inclusion of the oppressions of women and children based on gender, class, ethnicity, sexuality, able-bodiedness and age, race and class then opens up scrutiny the harm caused to women and children by men’s behaviour
Highlights power issues relating to sexual abuse, sexual violence and domestic abuse of women and children

11. ‘Radical’ Social Work
A commitment to overcoming inequality and oppression by examining the structural problems and issues in society
Aims to help individuals strive for structural change
It endeavours to reduce poverty and inequality of wealth
It about working to build social arrangements which can overcome disadvantage and injustice
A way of working that seeks to re-address the lack of power and control of those who are disadvantaged
It’s about advocating with, and on behalf of, service users and carers
It values both individual relationship-based practice and collective approaches.

12. ‘Radical’ social work:
provides a forum for sharing experiences, discussing current events, clarifying views and developing awareness of social issues.
believes that social work activity is being undermined by managerialism, welfare cuts and the stigmatisation of service users
Social work is seen as a catalyst for social change – the tasks are to work with the oppressed and marginalised to empower them and transform society by working collectively
Builds cooperation and consciousness raising
Helping people to understand the negative social consequences of the market organisation of society
Helping people deal collectively with social problems rather than individualising their problems

13. Liberalism:
A political philosophy which emphasizes liberty, freedom and equal rights of an individual
Individualism links to a strong value-system and to having less economic, political, religious and social institutions and arrangements.
Fundamental views are of promoting human rights, liberal-democracy, fair and free elections, free trade, capitalism and free religion.
There are various types of liberalism

14. Social Liberalism
Believes in a legitimate state role in addressing economic and social issues such as poverty, unemployment, health care and education
To achieve change a coordination of a strong, welfare-oriented, and interventionist state is needed
It believes in human rights, multiparty democracy, social responsibility, economic democracy, a market economy and a strong sense of solidarity.
A reaction against social liberalism was neo-liberalism -led to monetarist economic policies and reduction in government provision of services and beliefs that inequalities can be an incentive for individuals to develop
‘Neo-liberalism’ is the current ruling political ideology in Britain

15. Neo-liberalism and social work:
Global market forces have an impact on Service Users creating opportunities (or lack of them) and influencing employment, health and social services
Welfare links to the dictates of a globalised economy and no longer permits nations to determine their social welfare systems for they fear missing out on competitive opportunities
Current beliefs are about less state intervention, more market freedom and more individual responsibility
The re-organisation of health, social work and education services with demands for deregulation, privatisation and flexibilisation within services to create market places where every person can act as a consumer and look after their own interests

16. Current Social Work:
Not all people have equal capacity to shape their world as some experience high levels of marginalisation, oppression and inequality
The impacts of these effect an individuals psychological states and behaviour making them more vulnerable, less resilient and less engaged
Thus it is this relationship between the individuals psychological state and the external environment that continues to be the focus of social work

17. Some Conclusions:
Social Work can be defined by its current tasks and functions and the current leading influential paradigms and political ideologies
As social work has matured over time we can see that many paradigms and ideologies have been incorporated into the functions and tasks of social work
Governments and organisations took responsibility for the poor and the vulnerable and social workers undertook specified regulated tasks and strove to become a profession

18. As potential professional Social Workers you are part of these discourses
How much is society responsible for - and how much are individuals responsible for - their own welfare?
How to balance care and control - how to promote positive personal development and human growth?
How to tackle oppression, disadvantage, marginalisation and exclusion?
As potential social workers you are could be in positions of power
You can be an agent of positive social change or a powerful part of state and control – and perhaps both at the same time…?