Policy Practice for Social Workers: An Ethic of Care Approach

The second edition of Policy Practice for Social Workers expands the concept of policy practice in social work settings and illustrates how significant policy change may be achieved at a local, community, state, and national level. It is divided into two parts: first, readers will expand their understanding of policy practice, its beginnings and development over the course of social welfare history, and the political, economic, and social drivers that affect policy decisions. Second, readers will explore the essential skills and values in policy work, including lobbying, community organizing, mobilizing advocacy publics, coalition building, campaigning, problem analysis, policy analysis, and policy evaluation.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 18 July 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

The second edition of Policy Practice for Social Workers takes a comprehensive approach to understanding policy practice within social work settings. It expands the concept of policy practice and highlights the potential for significant policy change at local, community, state, and national levels. Guided by an ethic of care framework, this textbook aims to raise readers' awareness about policy practice and its fundamental connection with the aims of the social work profession. It provides a solid foundation for developing essential skills and values in policy work, enabling practitioners to effectively advocate for social justice and address unmet needs.

The textbook is divided into two parts. The first part explores the origins and development of policy practice in social welfare history, examining the political, economic, and social factors that shape policy decisions and underpin the U.S. political system. Readers will gain insights into the ethic of care framework and its value-based approach to policymaking. The second part focuses on the essential skills and values required for effective policy work. Detailed coverage and vivid examples provide valuable guidance on specific advocacy skills such as lobbying, community organizing, mobilizing advocacy publics, coalition building, campaigning, problem analysis, policy analysis, and policy evaluation.

In its comprehensive overview of policy practice and advocacy, the new edition of this text adopts a value-laden perspective to identify and assess unmet needs and promote a more socially just environment for all. By combining these dual aims, Policy Practice for Social Workers serves as an excellent cornerstone of policy and policy work for undergraduate and graduate students in social work.

Weight: 993g
Dimension: 254 x 178 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781138068896
Edition number: 2 ed