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What does it mean for social work to truly uphold human rights in an era marked by economic austerity, political polarisation and global crises?
Human Rights in Social Work offers a powerful and timely response, calling for a fundamental rethinking of practice rooted in relational, dignity-driven approaches. Grounded in critical theory and real-world issues, this book interrogates the limitations of current approaches and offers a compelling vision for a more just, relational and accountable social work in which intersectionality and cultures play a central role.
Bringing together leading voices in theory, practice and research, the book examines how social workers can move beyond rhetoric – confronting the profession’s own historic and ongoing failings – to embed a deeper, more intersectional understanding of human rights into social work’s core.
“In globally turbulent and unpredictable times, Human Rights in Social Work helps readers to chart a socially progressive course. These established authors have made a vital contribution and help to stimulate our critical understanding of our profession and the world in which it is located.” Paul Michael Garrett, University of Galway
“The human rights mandate of social work is clear: situating ourselves on the side of the oppressed, colonised, marginalised and violated. This timely book is a powerful instrument for deepening consciousness of this mandate and providing directives for taking transformative action towards its fulfilment.” Linda Harms-Smith, University of Pretoria
'An excellent addition to the literature, this book advances social work’s understanding of human rights with thorough analysis of the foundations of the profession as well as contemporary social issues.' David Androff, Arizona State University
Emilio José Gómez-Ciriano is Associate Professor of Social Work at Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha and Vice-President of the Spanish Federation of Human Rights Associations.
Inés Martínez Herrero is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the National University of Distance Education, a qualified social worker and Secretary and former Vice President of the European Social Work Research Association (ESWRA).
Ian Cummins recently retired as Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Social Sciences at Salford University. His research has focussed on poverty and mental health.
Introduction: A human rights response to turbulent times
PART I: The human rights framework and its connection with social work
1. The human rights framework: relevance for social work education and research
2. Neoliberalism, human rights and citizenship
3. Social work, human rights and a culture of peace
4. Social work, poverty and human rights
5. The liminal position of human rights in social work: is social work a human rights profession?
6. An intersectional approach to human rights in social work
PART II: Human rights in practice, education and research
7. Human rights and social work education
8. Human rights and social work research
9. Social work and climate change
10. Human rights and the challenges of digital social work
11. Populism in Fortress Europe: social work and the human rights of migrants and asylum seekers
12. Social work with Gypsy Roma Traveller communities
Epilogue: Time for awareness, time for reaction, time for responsibility