ESW Open Seminar Series
Centre for Social Work Innovation and
Research (C-SWIR)
Monday 13th April, 5pm
Room 104, Fulton
Speakers
Dr Russell Whiting, Lecturer in Social Work, University of Sussex,
presents:
Tory Social Work: A Weilian Perspective
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Is social work egalitarian or is it elitist?
In this seminar, Dr Whiting will argue that the social work profession is
superficially egalitarian, speaking the language of equality whilst at the
same time hiding or ignoring an underlying and pervasive elitism - or at
least a tacit acceptance of societal inequality. He will argue not that
social work should be Tory, but that it already is inherently Tory and
that this reality is insufficiently acknowledged.
Much of the nature of day-to-day social work can be better appreciated
if its affinities to Tory sensibilities are properly understood. The later
works of Simone Weil, a radical who turned Tory, will be used as a way
of exploring a set of Tory themes in relation to social work.
Two recent policy initiatives - the consultation on the privatisation of
child protection services and the introduction of the Frontline model of
social work qualifying education - will both be discussed in relation to
Tory principles.
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This seminar can be joined remotely by logging on to:
https://connectpro.sussex.ac.uk/sw_whiting13apr15
A recording of this event will be available to view retrospectively at:
www.sussex.ac.uk/socialwork/seminarseries