With the role of the social services increasingly being questioned, the values and general principles of social work are attracting considerable attention. First published in 1985, Social Work and Social Philosophy looks at the issues involved and provides social workers with a conceptual framework for understanding and analysing the moral and political questions that are inextricably linked to the practice of social work.

Giving a practice-based analysis of the moral problems facing the social worker in day-to-day professional activity, the authors discuss the meaning and application of several centrally important topics from the language of social work values in the light of major theories from social philosophy. The subjects covered include: the person, rights and duties, self-determination, professional ethics, social work theory, ideology.

While the treatment is philosophical, the topics raised are highly pertinent to everyday social work practice, and the book is written for an audience primarily interested in practice rather than philosophy for its own sake. The issues raised are relevant to other welfare professions, for whose practitioners the book will also be useful.