Empowering social work: Research and practice

The concept of empowerment has a central role in modern social
work. By shifting to empowering practices, we give the silent
voices in our society a better chance of being heard. Through the
process of becoming empowered, people gain control of their
lives and find ways to take more active roles in society.
EMPOWERING SOCIAL WORK: RESEARCH AND PRACTICE explores
empowerment and disempowerment in the light of theoretical
constructs linked to social work and social policy, in relation
to immigration, well-being and reciprocity. Case studies are used
to illustrate empowering and preventive practice in a variety of
situations: in child protection, multicultural work, family work,
and in working with children and adolescents.
Written by experts from Finnish and Russian Universities, the
chapters in this book also cover topics such as multiculturalism
and racism in these two countries. Understanding these issues
can help professionals to find new ways of engendering mutual
trust in client-worker relationships, thus improving the clients’
opportunities to make decisions concerning their own lives. This
book will inspire researchers, students, and social work practitioners
alike.