Social Work Administration and Development

Sanjay Bhattacharya, pp. 448, Rs. 795, Rawat Publications

Any profession would necessarily have to be conscious of the context in which it is operating in order to be relevant in its functioning. Social work also has been constantly evolving and attempting to redefine its mandates as per the changing needs of society. 

Professional 'social work' is focussed on facilitation of empowerment and change, and it is based on an interrelated system of values, theory and practices. It involves the conscious application of values, philosophy, principles, methods, and skills, in social work practice.

However, in spite of the appropriate changes, and evolving perspectives, the core values of social work remain unchanged, e.g., such as helping; belief in people and society; social - justice, economic, political and legal; and solidarity and partnership with the marginalized.

Today, the process of globalization and the ensuing problems have ensured that social work practice not only has to be 'native' but also needs to 'internationalize' strategies for practice. In India, one faces a duality of the phenomenon of technological changes and their impact, on the one hand along with the traditional feudal society and mind set on the other. One sees newer forms of slavery, through liberalization, privatization, and globalization through institutions such as the World Bank, IMF and its policies. The role of society in intensification of democracy is increasingly being highlighted and acknowledged.

All these changes are important to understand social work in India. Some of the aspects that do influence social work are political philosophy and policies, government policies, community's changing needs and administration need, economic changes and activities such as consumerism and feminism. Social work also faces the challenges of providing services at the local micro level, and in seeking macro level solutions dealing with structural causes, which are reinforced by globalization.

This book on Social Work Administration and Development emphasizes the need for developing strategies and approaches to suit the new socio-economic reality by linking and integrating social skills with technical skills. It also covers the issues that are undertaken with regard to an individual, group and community in the process of organization and direction of a social institution. There has been a definite relationship between social welfare administration and development and its various aspects have been discussed in this volume.

It is hoped that the reader will not only gain a perception of social welfare administration and development, but will also be able to approve and put into operation various practices in the organizations as well as institutional set-ups.
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In other words, it is intended as an in-depth knowledge source for practitioners in the Social Welfare and Developmental fields. Therefore the book will be useful to the students taking cause in Social Work, Rural Development, Public Administration, and Economic Development, etc., as well as Development experts, practitioners of NGOs and government organizations.
 
Sanjay Bhattacharya