Social Work in a Risk Society: Social and Political Perspectives

by Stephen A. Webb

This text constructs a new way of thinking about social work based on contemporary social theory and taking into account recent changes in social work. Working in a counter-tradition that is suspicious of a number of governing ideas and practices in social work, it draws on themes in the work of theorists such as Beck, Giddens, and Rose. It looks at risk, trust, regulation, identity, and governmentality to explore the impact of risk society and neoliberalism on social work.

288 pages, Paperback

First published December 17, 2005

About the author

Stephen A. Webb (1958-) is a social theorist and researcher in social work, social welfare and policy. He attended Heath Junior School, Chesterfield Boys Grammar School and University of Oxford. He is Professor of Social Work at Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland and Assistant Vice Principal for Community and Public Engagement. Previously he was Professor of Human Sciences and Director of the Research Institute for Social Inclusion and Wellbeing, University of Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia, and Professorial Fellow at the University of Sussex.