Abstract
How do we make sense of ethics and values in our day-to-day practice with service users? How do we ensure that our responses take into account the individualistic diversity and uniqueness which each individual brings with them when they seek services from care agencies? Sarah Banks in the fifth edition of ‘Ethics and Values in Social Work’, brings forth a thoroughly up to the minute book. Both concise and informative, the complexities and challenges of values and ethics in social care practice are critically examined. Although the title of the book signposts its intention towards social work professionals and social work students, nonetheless as the author indicates, the book is just as relevant to those engaged in day to day delivery of services to people known to social care agencies, whatever their brief.
The aim of the book as described by Banks is : ‘not to tell social workers how to make decisions or what roles they should take in particular circumstances because I believe that would be both impossible and undesirable… Rather, the book aims to encourage critical thinking, reflection and reflexivity through exploring the nature of ethical problems and dilemmas in social work, how and why, they arise and what might be some alternative ways of tackling them according to different ethical theories and approaches’ (Banks, 2021:15–16). This aim is admirably achieved.
Comprising of seven comprehensive and engaging chapters, themes include ‘Principle-based approaches to social work ethics’ (Chapter two); and ‘Service Users Rights: Clienthood, Citizenship, Consumerism and Activism’ (Chapter five), with a final chapter (Chapter seven) entitled: ‘Ethical Problems and Dilemmas in Practice’.
The chapters are both illuminating and informative although chapters may seem a little lengthy. Each chapter tackles a different theme in relation to social work ethics and values whether this is outlining theoretical standpoints or from the position of practice with service users. The book takes a broad, global focus thus allowing for a systematic exploration of ethics and values in practice taking into account cultural, social and political diversity. Acknowledging what Banks refers to as the predominantly westernized view upon which practice is ordered, she then goes on to explore how this view can shape service provider responses to the needs of service users. Given the broader global nature of content, the book may not appeal to everyone. That said, it is the very examination of values and ethics through a globally diverse lens that makes the book so thought provoking.
The reader is encouraged to think ‘outside the box’. Case scenarios (Practice Focus) appear at the end of each chapter to promote critical thinking. Likewise, the ‘Putting It into Practice’ boxes, also found at the end of each chapter encourage the reader to adopt a reflective approach to the themes just outlined. I particularly enjoyed Chapter five, ‘Clienthood, Citizenship, Consumerism and Activism’ in which Banks takes on the concept of human rights, universal absolute, relational rights including what these refer to, before moving on the explore rights in relation to service users, with the focus on how these pertain to social work ethics and values. Academic sources are included throughout to support the ideas presented.
To sum up, this is a thoroughly absorbing book and a ‘must read’ for all those who would wish to gain a broader critical insight into the subject matter. The book resonates to some of the many complexities surrounding personal engagements with service users from a range of different backgrounds. A timely addition to the field of social work and undoubtedly an essential read for professionals from all backgrounds and students alike, Banks has produced not only a compelling read through which the reader can cast a critical eye over practice, but she also addresses some of the bigger questions about how ethics and values underpin our practice and, importantly, how diverse groups of service users may experience our efforts.