Policy Press

Poverty, Inequality and Social Work

The Impact of Neo-Liberalism and Austerity Politics on Welfare Provision

By Ian Cummins

Published

Jan 17, 2018

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447334828

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 17, 2018

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447334804

Dimensions

234 x 156 mm

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 17, 2018

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447334835

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press

Published

Jan 17, 2018

Page count

200 pages

ISBN

978-1447334842

Dimensions

Imprint

Policy Press
Poverty, Inequality and Social Work

This book offers a critical, sociological analysis of the domino effect of neoliberalism and austerity politics on the role of social work and wider welfare provision.

It argues that social work should move away from the resultant emphasis on risk management and bureaucracy, and return to a focus on relational and community approaches as the cornerstone of practice.

Applying theoretical frameworks to practice, including those of Bourdieu and the recent work of Wacquant, the book examines the development of neoliberal ideas and their impact on social welfare. It explores the implications of this across a range of areas of social work practice, including work with children and families, working with asylum seekers and refugees and mental health social work.

Ian Cummins is a Senior Lecturer in Social Work at Salford University. He qualified as a probation officer and subsequently worked as a mental health social worker. His research interests including the history of community care and mental health issues in the CJS. His most recent work has focused on poverty, inequality and advanced marginality.

Introduction

Social Work in the era of neoliberalism and austerity

Class, poverty and inequality

Advanced marginality and stigma

Welfare, punishment and neoliberalism

Poverty, inequality and contemporary social work

Reimagining a social state

Conclusion