Critical Social Work starts from the premise that a central goal of social work practice is social change to redress social inequality. Taking a critical theoretical approach, the authors explore the links between personal and social change. They confront the challenges for critical social work in the context of pressures to separate the personal from the political and in responding to the impact of changes in the socio-political, statutory and global contexts of practice. Critical Social Work has been revised to take into account recent social, economic and political developments. Coverage of theoretical frameworks has been substantially expanded and reflects current concerns such as evidence-based practice and human rights. The causes of people's marginalisation and oppression are examined in relation to class, race, ethnicity, gender and other forms of social inequality. New case study chapters on disability, older people, children, rurality, and violence and abuse are included.

Author Biography

June Allan is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at RMIT University. Linda Briskman holds the Dr Haruhisa Handa Chair in Human Rights Education at Curtin University. Bob Pease is Chair of Social Work at Deakin University.