Becoming a critical social work practitioner

Introduction

The unit explores what it means to become a critical social work practitioner by using a series of activities and readings to guide you through some new and important concepts. An understanding of ‘critical perspectives’ will help you take a positive and constructive approach to the challenging problems that arise in social work practice.

You will be introduced to a critical understanding of the nature and boundaries of personal and professional discretion and judgement in the delivery of social work services; recognising the complex tensions between the personal and the social processes in people's lives.

The unit also explores the relationship between justice and care and control, and the practical and ethical dilemmas in this relationship.

This unit is an adapted extract from the Open University course Critical social work practice (K315) [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)]