This book explores a key phenomenon that has been accelerated by the COVID-19 crisis, namely, the crossroads at which social welfare professionals find themselves. This is a crossroads where, on the one hand, there is an accelerated digitalization process and a reorganization of social programs, while on the other hand, we are confronted by the basic challenge of designing social policies and their methods of evaluation, that is, the generation of robust data that will allow better evaluation of social projects and programs. Rigorously analyzing the crossroads at which social welfare programs find themselves and the new demands for the education of professionals involved in social welfare programs, several key issues can be discerned; • the theoretical debate surrounding the changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and the process of redefining globalization in which we are immersed. • the challenges to be met by welfare programs, and the good practices that are being implemented. • the key issue of how to generate more robust data in the field of social services and social protection. • how to increase the competencies of professionals through education in schools of social work. Providing 15 newly written chapters drawn from both the global north and the global south, it offers a set of recommendations to address the challenges of inequality and social inclusion in the coming years. It will be of interest to all academics, students and practitioners working in the fields of social work, social welfare and social development.

This book is a novel contribution to academic discourses on the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis and how it has impacted societies globally. It proffers an overview on the social development and political measures, from both the Global North and Global South, to prevent COVID-19's spread. It illuminates major social, political and economic challenges that already existed in different contexts and which are also currently being amplified by COVID-19. Curiously, this global pandemic has opened spaces for different actors, across the globe, to begin to fundamentally question and challenge the hegemony of the Global North, which sometimes is evident in social work. Linked to the foregoing and while reflecting beyond the pandemic and into the future, the book proposes that social work must become more political at all levels, and strive to transform societies, global social development efforts, and economic and health systems. This contributed volume of 38 chapters discusses and analyses ethical, social, sociological, social work and social development issues that complement and enrich available literature in the socio-political, economics, public health, medical ethics and political science. It provides various case studies which should enable readers to gain insights into how countries have responded to the pandemic and learn how COVID-19 negatively impacted countries in different parts of the world. This book also provides a platform for the articulation of neglected and marginalized voices, such as those of indigenous populations, the poor, or oppressed. The chapters are grouped according to three main themes as they relate to research on the COVID-19 pandemic and social work in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and North America: Analysis: Social Issues and the COVID-19 Pandemic Strategies and Responses in Social Work: Globally and Locally Outlook: Looking Ahead Beyond the Pandemic Intended to engage a global, diverse and interdisciplinary audience, The Coronavirus Crisis and Challenges to Social Development is a timely and relevant resource for academics, students and researchers in inter alia Social Work, Philosophy, Sociology, Economics, and Development Studies.

Rethinking Social Policy is a comprehensive introduction to, and analysis of, the complex mixture of problems and possibilities within the study of social policy. Contributors at the cutting edge of social policy analysis reflect upon the implications of new social and theoretical movements for welfare and the study of social policy. Topics covered include: criminology and crime control; race, class and gender; poverty and sexuality; the body and the emotions; violence; work and welfare in Europe. Examples are drawn from a variety of welfare sectors such as: social services and community care, health, education, employment, and criminal justice. This is a course reader for The Open University course (D860) R

Social Policy for Effective Practice: A Strengths Approach sharpens students' awareness of social welfare policy and offers a considerable array of resources and knowledge foundations to both understand and thrive within a continually evolving policy landscape. Throughout the text, the authors tell the stories of social workers who impact policy, incorporate frameworks for policy analysis, center social work values and strengths principles, and integrate the series' interactive and downloadable cases to demonstrate policy's relevance and application to practice settings and situations in concrete ways. Students may use the text as an introduction to social policy, a tool for deeper examination of policy topics, and as a lifelong companion for their policy-relevant practice. Now in its sixth edition, the textbook is fully updated to reflect substantial changes in policy arenas such as health care, family economic support, immigration and asylum, criminal justice, housing, reproductive rights, substance use disorder, mental health treatment, and childcare, as well as the implications of the evolving COVID-19 pandemic. With additional support and extensions available at www.routledgesw.com, Social Policy for Effective Practice makes policy relevant, accessible, and meaningful for social work students and is a perfect complement to undergraduate and graduate courses on social policy and practice.

A comprehensive overview of domestic and global social welfare policy Written by a team of renowned social policy experts sharing their unique perspectives on global and U.S. social welfare policy issues, Social Work and Social Policy helps social workers consider key issues that face policymakers, elected officials, and agency administrators in order to develop policies that are both fair and just. Designed as a foundational social welfare policy text, this important book meets the Council on Social Work Education's (CSWE) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Encouraging readers' critical thinking on various issues, each chapter begins with an overarching question and "what if" scenarios, and ends with a set of suggested key terms, online resources, and discussion questions. Recognizing that policy work requires practitioners to be as fully versed as possible with the issue at hand, Social Work and Social Policy thoroughly explores: Social welfare policy as a form of social justice The evolution of the American welfare state Human security and the welfare of societies Social policy from a global perspective Challenges for social policies in Asia Welfare reform and the need for social empathy The U.S. Patriot Act and its implications for the social work profession Human rights and emerging social media Compelling and broad in scope, Social Work and Social Policy is an indispensable text for students and a valuable resource for practitioners concerned with creating social policy and governmental action guided by justice for all.

Since its emergence in early 2020, the COVID-19 crisis has affected every part of the world. Well beyond its health effects, the pandemic has wrought major changes in people’s everyday lives as they confront restrictions imposed by physical distancing and consequences such as loss of work, working or learning from home and reduced contact with family and friends. This edited collection covers a diverse range of experiences, practices and representations across international contexts and cultures (UK, Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand). Together, these contributions offer a rich account of COVID society. They provide snapshots of what life was like for people in a variety of situations and locations living through the first months of the novel coronavirus crisis, including discussion not only of health-related experiences but also the impact on family, work, social life and leisure activities. The socio-material dimensions of quotidian practices are highlighted: death rituals, dating apps, online musical performances, fitness and exercise practices, the role of windows, healthcare work, parenting children learning at home, moving in public space as a blind person and many more diverse topics are explored. In doing so, the authors surface the feelings of strangeness and challenges to norms of practice that were part of many people’s experiences, highlighting the profound affective responses that accompanied the disruption to usual cultural forms of sociality and ritual in the wake of the COVID outbreak and restrictions on movement. The authors show how social relationships and social institutions were suspended, re-invented or transformed while social differences were brought to the fore. At the macro level, the book includes localised and comparative analyses of political, health system and policy responses to the pandemic, and highlights the differences in representations and experiences of very different social groups, including people with disabilities, LGBTQI people, Dutch Muslim parents, healthcare workers in France and Australia, young adults living in northern Italy, performing artists and their audiences, exercisers in Australia and New Zealand, the Latin cultures of Spain and Italy, Asian-Americans and older people in Australia. This volume will appeal to undergraduates and postgraduates in sociology, cultural and media studies, medical humanities, anthropology, political science and cultural geography.

"A social work pioneer debunks the myth of a Great Society. Embedded in a contrapuntal culture, while societal dysfunctionality and institutional meltdown play havoc with mortals, we stand on the edge of an existential abyss. Humanity confronts its own monsters: Fury of fires, floods; scourges of a pandemic; random mass shootings; and mayhem, not to speak of the ravages of pervasive inequality, injustice, and ubiquity of fear. A culture of falsification, terror, and nihilist narcissism obscures small steps toward progress. The algorithms of change thwart human and social development since structural anomalies breed dysfunctional outcomes. They also manifest contours of frayed institutions in a broken society. The result is paradoxical convulsions of hope and despair. Once the structure of values erodes, our social-institutional foundation requires transformational renewal. The author calls for a new Social Contract and Enlightenment Two - a movement of reconstruction - in search of a new society. Implicit here is a compelling argument to reinvent homo-sapiens and rediscover the purpose of life i.e., global harmony"--

What is the impact of policy on social work practice? How should social workers attempt to shape social policy? This ... book provides a wealth of answers. Designed to help you understand the context of the evolution of social policy, [this book] focuses on vital issues that will have a dramatic impact on consumers of social services and on social work practice. [The book] provides penetrating analyses of current and future trends in six critical areas: shifting government responsibilities; welfare and work; children and families; health; mental health; [and] education. [The book] also presents important research on the earliest phases of current welfare reform and demonstrates how knowledge gained from research can help social workers shape future social policy. You'll find a sharp focus on current trends, such as the emphasis on rebuilding communities, both socially and economically, by relying on mixtures of public and private funding and governance by local residents.-Back cover.

Social Policy for Social Work provides a comprehensive, critical and engaging introduction to social policy for students and practitioners of social work. The text is clearly structured into three parts that cover contexts, policies and issues. The first part explores changing perspectives on social policy and social work and provides an introduction to the broad range of specific policy aspects discussed in part two which include: social security health and community care family and child care criminal justice. Part three focuses on key issues such as tackling divisions and inequalities, the control of services including empowering people receiving services, and future policy trends. Additionally, appendices provide a key to common abbreviations, dates of the main legislation and internet addresses of main information sources on policy and research. Illustrations from practice are included throughout to highlight implications for social work practice. The text focuses on contemporary Britain but also draws examples from European, global and historical contexts wherever appropriate. This exceptional text demonstrates clearly the relevance and implications of social policy for social work practice. It is an essential and practical resource for all students and practitioners in the welfare field.