Colin Turbett - Doing Radical Social Work

Anti-Racist Practice in Social Work Kish Bhatti-Sinclair

Social Work and Spirituality Margaret Holloway and Bernard Moss

Social Work Research for Social Justice Beth Humphries

Social Work and Social Policy under Austerity Bill Jordan and Mark Drakeford

Social Care Practice in Context Malcolm Payne

Critical Issues in Social Work with Older People Mo Ray, Miriam Bernard and Judith Phillips

Social Work and Power Roger Smith

Globally Minded Social Work Practice Janet Anand and Chaitali Das

Rejuvenating Family Support Karen Broadhurst

Social Work and Community Development Catherine Forde and Debby Lynch

A Guide to Adult Social Work Law in England John Williams, Gwyneth Roberts and Aled Griffiths

Colin Turbett

Colin Turbett 2014

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First published 2014 by
PALGRAVE MACMILLAN

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ISBN 9781137308535

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Figures

Tables

Boxes

Practice examples

Exercises

Research boxes

This book has been inspired by colleagues who, over 35 years of frontline social work, have demonstrated how their good practice flows from core values of social justice and belief in a better world. Such workers have been drawn from homecare, residential and field social work settings, and include some managers and even a few senior managers. Many have operated this way almost unconsciously through personal belief underpinned by values stemming from the trade union and socialist traditions that are now under threat from the ideology of neoliberalism. Others, though fewer in number, have been conscious socialists keen to challenge reactionary orthodoxy. Many who entered social work in furtherance of such ideals have found professional training has helped their outlook confront reality, and those involved in this field who contribute to this process must be thanked. Out in the world of practice my present team in Ardrossan never fail to amaze me with their commitment and enthusiasm despite all the challenges they meet every day they go to work. All these colleagues have contributed to the formation of my own ideas about radical practice.

I would especially like to thank those who have contributed directly to the book: Maggie Rands, Diana Turbett, Barry McMullan and Lindsay Watson have all helped in different ways. The team at Palgrave Macmillan provided great assistance and their academic reviewers of earlier drafts came up with valued suggestions and ideas. Comrades in the trade union UNISON, especially Stephen Smellie, Convenor of the Scottish Social Work Issues Group, offered encouragement and support, as did the frequently mentioned authors of the modern Radical Literature.

C OLIN T URBETT

The author and publishers would like to thank Oxford University Press Canada for permission to reproduce The Web of Oppression ( in this book) from B. Mullaly (2009) Challenging Oppression and Confronting Privilege, 2nd edn, p. 198.