This book provides multiple frameworks and paradigms for social work education which integrates indigenous theories and cultural practices. It focuses on the need to diversify and reorient social work curriculum to include indigenous traditions of service, charity and volunteerism to help social work evolve as a profession in India. The volume analyzes the history of social work education in India and how the discipline has adapted and changed in the last 80 years. It emphasizes the need for the Indianization of social work curriculum so that it can be applied to the socio-cultural contours of a diverse Indian society. The book delineates strategies and methods derived from meditation, yoga, bhakti and ancient Buddhist and Hindu philosophy to prepare social work practitioners with the knowledge, and skills, that will support and enhance their ability to work in partnership with diverse communities and indigenous people. This book is essential reading for teachers, educators, field practitioners and students of social work, sociology, religious studies, ancient philosophy, law and social entrepreneurship. It will also interest policy makers and those associated with civil society organizations.

This book presents unique semi-autobiographical narratives by leading social work educators and practitioners in India who have done innovative work in the field of child-centred social work (CSW). The practitioners narrate their career journeys and contributions to research, policy, and practice in this field, discuss innovations, achievements, and impact of the work done, and share reflections on the challenges faced, lessons learnt, and the way forward. The volume provides valuable insights into the indigenisation of CSW education and practice and offers suggestions towards developing effective CSW. The authors draw attention towards the need for expansion of preventive service systems for children in the family, community, and school settings, as well as support to and replication of the innovative sociolegal service projects, in coordination with reforms in the justice system to ensure child rights, and human resource planning for child-centred social workers. They also propose promoting CSW education in institutions of social work education to strengthen linkages between theory, research, policy, and practice, and creating a national association for child-centred social workers to build synergy between social work practitioners and educators. The book will be useful to policy makers, educators, students, and practitioners of social work, child development, and child rights. It will also be useful for CSW training institutions and counsellors in schools and government and voluntary organisations.

This book addresses a range of key issues concerning social work education, research and practice in India and Australia from a cross-cultural perspective. The respective chapters focus on specific areas of social work regarding e.g. the status and recognition of the profession, regulatory mechanisms, roles and functions of social workers in different settings, and issues and challenges faced by the social work community. The book shares valuable perspectives to help understand the culturally sensitive practice of social work in various socio-cultural, economic and political contexts in both countries. Given the scope of its coverage, the book is of interest to scholars, students and professionals working in the areas of social work, social development and social policy practice.

A comprehensive guide to social work praxis, this book provides a clear conceptual understanding of fieldwork supervision in India. It elaborates on the dynamic components of fieldwork instruction – the methodologies and effective strategies, the supervisor–student–agency triad, challenges and the future. The volume underlines the importance of student mentoring and the imperative need to develop creative and competent strategies to make fieldwork education more responsive and effective. It also emphasises the need for the inclusion of social justice-oriented perspectives and approaches in fieldwork training in India. Instructive and anecdotal, the chapters in this volume reflect on the challenges which students and supervisors face on a regular basis in different environments while dealing with critical circumstances. The focus of the book is to delineate strategies and approaches which promote skill building and the ability in students to understand sociocultural contexts of the field and engage with them effectively. This volume will be an essential resource for social work educators, field practitioners and students of social work, law, public policy, sociology and social entrepreneurship.

Wícihitowin is the first Canadian social work book written by First Nations, Inuit and Métis authors who are educators at schools of social work across Canada. The book begins by presenting foundational theoretical perspectives that develop an understanding of the history of colonization and theories of decolonization and Indigenist social work. It goes on to explore issues and aspects of social work practice with Indigenous people to assist educators, researchers, students and practitioners to create effective and respectful approaches to social work with diverse populations. Traditional Indigenous knowledge that challenges and transforms the basis of social work with Indigenous and other peoples comprises a third section of the book. Wícihitowin concludes with an eye to the future, which the authors hope will continue to promote the innovations and creativity presented in this groundbreaking work.