The global social work definition: ontology, implications and challenges.

Ornellas, Abigail; Spolander, Gary; Engelbrecht, Lambert K.

Abstract

The revised global definition for social work promotes the profession's commitment to social change and development, social cohesion and the empowerment and liberation of people. By reviewing the implications of this definitional shift and locating this within existing influential social work ontological models, the implications for social work within global and national contexts are critically reviewed. The study found that the changes to the global definition, along with recognition of the importance of strengthening knowledge and theory, encourage critical review of the implications of a shift from an emphasis on individual approaches to the importance of collective and macro perspectives in social work intervention. The location and exploration of these debates using existing key ontological frameworks and socio-economic contexts encourages critical reflection on the purpose, role and function of social work in society. Social work must critically review what it means by, along with the implications of, the profession's commitments. The profession needs to consider how theory, its academic discipline and social work interventions support these commitments. The critical examination of ontological frameworks, indigenous knowledge and social work interventions is vital to inform social work education and practice to enable a reinvigorated profession able to address the contemporary challenges of both society and individuals.

Citation

ORNELLAS, A., SPOLANDER, G. and ENGELBRECHT, L.K. 2018. The global social work definition: ontology, implications and challenges. Journal of social work [online], 18(2), pages 222-240. Available from: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017316654606

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Jun 12, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 12, 2016
• Publication Date: Mar 31, 2018
• Deposit Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 28, 2023
• Journal: Journal of social work
• Print ISSN: 1468-0173
• Electronic ISSN: 1741-296X
• Publisher: SAGE Publications
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 18
• Issue: 2
• Pages: 222-240
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017316654606
• Keywords: Social work; Social workers; Neoliberalism
• Public URL: https://rgu-repository.worktribe.com/output/1768731