Anti-Oppressive Practice

This book is designed for practitioners and carers in social welfare services to help them make the links between the law and their work. It considers the ways in which the law can be used as an instrument of empowerment and provides readers with the opportunity to develop their competence in the knowledge, values and skills of using the law in relation to practice through a series of case studies and exercises. By weaving the threads of anti-oppressive practice and the principles which inform legislation used in the delivery of services in the social care field, the book points the way to a new practice that is empowering to service users and ultimately liberating for practitioners. It is a book which is accessible to informal carers, students and professional workers. The authors draw heavily on their personal and work experiences to understand the issues of power and oppression and how the law can be used to inform the development of anti-oppressive practice.

Introduction
Part One: Unpacking concepts
Towards a Theory of Anti
Oppressive Practice
Using Legislation
A Liberal or Radical Approach
Part Two: A Model of Anti
Oppressive Practice
Practice: Principles for Action
Values
Empowerment
Partnership
Minimal Intervention
Implications for Practice
Part Three: Reframing Practice in Relation to Legislation
Preventive Work
Assessment
Planning
Working With or For Users
Evaluation
The Reality of Anti
Oppressive Practice.