Udah, Hyacinth (2023) Whiteness in Social Work: Developing Decolonial Forms of Practice. In: Ravulo, J., Olcoń, K., Dune, T., Workman, A., and Liamputtong, P., (eds.) Handbook of Critical Whiteness. Springer, Singapore.

PDF (Published Version) - Published Version Restricted to Repository staff only

Abstract

This chapter examines Whiteness and decoloniality in social work, and more specifically within the Australian social work context. Social workers are guided by the principles of human rights and social justice and use critical reflection in working with individuals, families, and groups from diverse communities, including First Nations Peoples. More importantly, as a profession grounded in values of anti-racist, anti-oppressive, and inclusive practice, social workers are called to address issues affecting the most vulnerable, marginalized, and historically disenfranchised populations. Nevertheless, in settler colonial societies such as Australia, the social work profession has normalized and institutionalized Whiteness in ways that sustain colonial practices of racial inequity and privilege leaving behind ethnically and racially marked groups. This chapter highlights how Whiteness and coloniality interfere with, and affect, everything from assumptions to presumptions, and perspectives to knowledge that inform social work practice and professional guidelines in Australia. Beyond critiquing Whiteness, this chapter uncovers not only new ways of working to achieve decoloniality in social work, but also calls social workers to incorporate critical Whiteness and critical multiculturalism toward developing more decolonial forms of practice.

Item ID:	81654
Item Type:	Book Chapter (Research - B1)
ISBN:	978-981-19-1612-0
Copyright Information:	© Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2023
Date Deposited:	14 May 2024 01:56
FoR Codes:	44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4409 Social work > 440902 Counselling, wellbeing and community services @ 50% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4409 Social work > 440903 Social program evaluation @ 20% 44 HUMAN SOCIETY > 4410 Sociology > 441005 Social theory @ 30%
SEO Codes:	23 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 2301 Community services > 230112 Social class and inequalities @ 40% 23 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 2301 Community services > 230110 Migrant and refugee settlement services @ 20% 23 LAW, POLITICS AND COMMUNITY SERVICES > 2301 Community services > 230113 Structure, delivery and resourcing @ 40%
Downloads:	Total: 5
	More Statistics