Full Description
Since the late 1960s, community work had emerged in its own right as an occupation with an increasingly important contribution to make both to ways of thinking within the field of social policy, and to day-to-day social work practice and the resolution of pressing community issues. Its practitioners had grown in numbers and experience, while community work ideas and methods continued to influence developments in a variety of other 'neighbouring' occupations. Originally published in 1980, the editors of this NISW collection suggest that if community workers are to remain effective, then they must stay on the boundaries of the agencies that employ them and of the groups with whom they work. This theme of the 'boundary nature' of community work is examined in detail in the Introduction and is subsequently taken up by the other contributors to the book.
This title is organised under three main headings - a survey section on the history, philosophy and theories of community work in the United Kingdom; a series of case studies that suggest the diversity of the interests of community work; and an analysis of the growth of community work as an occupation and the spread of its influence through related professions and disciplines.
This mix of theory, practice and analysis made the book of special importance both to practising community workers and to community work teachers and students at the time. In addition, the book would have been of direct interest to community oriented administrators, professionals, teachers and students in other human service fields such as health, education, housing, planning and the personal social services, as well as to elected members and administrators in central and local government more generally. It will now be welcomed by anyone who seeks a critical account of the historical activities of community work, written by experienced practitioners and teachers.
Contents
Acknowledgements. Notes on Contributors. Preface. Introduction: The Boundaries of Change in Community Work. Part 1: The Context of Community Work Practice Introduction 1. The Origins of Community Work in the United Kingdom Peter Baldock 2. Practice and Theory in Community Work: a Case for Reconciliation Laurence J. Tasker 3. Making Sense of Theory Jalna Hanmer and Hilary Rose Part 2: Case Studies of Practice A Commentary on the Case Studies 4. Community Arts and Community Development: Socio-Cultural Animation Chris Elphick 5. A Study in Community Education Geoff Poulton 6. Planning the Opening of a New Estate Gerald O'Hagan 7. Community Work in a New Town Roger Else 8. Community Groups as Employers Dudley Savill 9. Community Work with an Asian Community Ismail A. Lambat 10. Community Work in Belfast: A Neighbourhood Approach Lisa Huber and Felicity McCartney Part 3: Influence, Organisation and Professional Growth Introduction 11. The Permeation of Community Work into Other Disciplines Brian Munday 12. The Community Worker and the Employer Phil Doran 13. Community Work Profession or Social Movement? Teresa Smith. A Concluding Commentary. Postword. Index.
