Rights and Wrongs in Social Work

This book is a great read from cover to cover: extremely well written, with a structure that is logical and a style that is eminently readable. The excellent case studies are so much more appealing and convincing than the usual variants. I will absolutely recommend it to my own students. - Dr Mark Hardy, Lecturer in Social Work, University of York, UK This book's engaging style, the way it is rooted in real dilemmas that social workers face and the way in which it eschews easy answers make it a truly unique text. It should be required reading on social work programmes. - Professor Hugh McLaughlin, Professor of Social Work, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK

Informed by the author's original research, this engaging book uses a core set of powerful practice examples to demonstrate how complex ethical dilemmas can arise in everyday practice. Through detailed analysis of these examples, the book explores how social workers ought to consider right and wrong in practice, to arrive at ethical solutions.

In this hugely accessible new book, Mark Doel guides the reader through a proper consideration of these questions by examining the typical ethical dilemmas that challenge social workers on a daily basis. Inquisitive, probing and intellectually stimulating, Rights and Wrongs in Social Work untangles the complexity of ethics in social work and argues that, by constantly questioning our assumptions and the situations we find ourselves in, we will eventually come to a better understanding of what is right.

Each chapter of the book is centred on a different real-life dilemma that social workers might face on a typical day in practice – such as relationship boundaries, confidentiality and whistleblowing. Clear and enormously readable, it uses a wealth of creative and engaging features and techniques to support learning and encourage readers to apply theory to practice, including:

- A vast array of vibrant case studies and detailed practice examples.
- Time Boxes to link chapter topics with ethical dilemmas from history.
- The Big Picture sections to place ethical issues into the wider frame of public policy.
- Discussion of the guidance available from official codes, standards and principles, such as the IFSW/ IASSW's joint Statement of Ethical Principles.

An invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike, Rights and Wrongs in Social Work draws on the author's many years of experience in the field to successfully unpack the complex concepts of ethics and values in a clear, thought-provoking way.