Virtue Ethics in Social Work Practice [Paperback]

Using evidence from research with practitioners, integrated with wider material about virtue ethics in the helping professions, this book explores important types of virtue that are central to developing and sustaining excellence in social work.

Comprised of ten chapters and drawing on extensive research with social workers as well as wider debates and analysis, the discussion carefully concentrates on everyday experiences and achievements. This approach enables the book to avoid an idealized and prescriptive approach by making clear that virtues vary between contexts and individuals, while at the same time clearly marking out qualities and characteristics of social work that are foundational to the development of practitioners and of the profession as a whole.

It will be required reading for students on all BSc/BSW and MSc/MSW courses on professional ethics or preparation for practice. It will also be of interest to practitioners in other professions, including human services, health, education and social development or development studies.

1. Introduction to Virtue Ethics. 2. Virtue (Ethics) in Social Work Practice. 3. Courage. 4. Compassion and Care. 5. Hope, Perseverance and Resilience. 6. Justice. 7. Humility. 8. Practical Wisdom. 9. Integrity . 10. Ethical Virtues in Social Work  Towards Virtuous Practitioners?

Using evidence from research with practitioners, integrated with wider material about virtue ethics in the helping professions, this book explores important types of virtue that are central to developing and sustaining excellence in social work.

Richard Hugman is Professor of Social Work at the University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia. He originally qualified and practised as a social worker in the UK before migrating to Australia, where he has taught and researched at several universities and continued some practice. From 2002 l3/