Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion: Promoting Social Justice in Social Work

Poverty and social exclusion continue to dominate the lives of users of social work and social care services in highly unequal Britain. This fourth edition of the book provides practitioners with the knowledge and skills to tackle the deprivation and destitution of service users, with a focus on local authority commissioning, social media's impact on mental health, substandard housing, and working with transgender youth. It explains the development of social exclusion as a framework for understanding the impact of poverty and other deprivations and locates it within social work values of social justice. Case studies from the public, private, and voluntary sectors are drawn from across the United Kingdom to illustrate the way forward for poverty-aware social work.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 210 pages
Publication date: 27 February 2024
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

In the deeply unequal Britain of today, poverty and social exclusion remain pervasive forces that shape the lives of those who rely on social work and social care services. Simultaneously, years of austerity measures, coupled with welfare reform, have created a complex context in which these services are delivered, amidst a society grappling with the impacts of Brexit, COVID-19, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the ongoing empowerment of women through the "Me-too" movement.

This fourth edition of Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion is a comprehensive resource designed to equip practitioners with the tools and strategies necessary to address the deprivation and destitution experienced by service users. Thoroughly revised and expanded, it introduces new material that tracks changes and developments in policy and practice. Key topics such as local authority commissioning, the impact of social media on young people's mental health, substandard housing, and working with transgender youth are given heightened attention.

The book aims to prepare practitioners to engage directly with the social and personal circumstances faced by excluded individuals and their families. It explores the concept of social exclusion as a framework for understanding the profound impact of poverty and other deprivations on the lives of users, while placing it within the social work values of social justice. Recognizing the challenges inherent in these values, the book emphasizes the importance of practice-oriented approaches, providing boxed extracts from key policies and guidelines, along with thought-provoking questions for readers to ponder. Each chapter includes up-to-date examples, activities, and exercises to reinforce learning and application.

Drawing from case studies across the United Kingdom, from the public, private, and voluntary sectors, the book offers valuable insights into the way forward for poverty-aware social work. It sheds light on the challenges and opportunities that practitioners encounter, and provides practical guidance for building effective interventions and promoting social change.

Tackling Poverty and Social Exclusion is an essential text for all Bachelor of Arts (BA) students and practitioners in the field of social work and social care. It equips them with the knowledge, skills, and values required to effectively address the complex issues of poverty and social exclusion, and to contribute to the creation of a more just and equitable society.

Weight: 406g
Dimension: 174 x 246 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032410159
Edition number: 4 ed