European Social Policy and Social Work
‘Citizenship-based social work’ is one of the major themes of my book European Social Policy and Social Work. This book explores shifts in international social policies and how they affect national trends and thus the context for social work practice. It was published by Routledge in September 2009.
Read more about the book or order it with a special discount.
Social work theory
In the Netherland social work is highly fragmented and specialized. The basics and framework of an overarching social work theory has disappeared behind the different special areas. Social work is no longer existing as a (sub)discipline in the old universities but coming back on the agenda of the universities of applied sciences by setting up new research centres in the field of social work. From there we are working on a renewed framework on social work theory. This new framework is based on ideas about participative citizenship and the need to support citizens in dealing with daily complexity of social life. The emphasis is on changing the context where people are in. In that respect I focus on four issues:
1. Moving from a specialised therapeutic approach to a social support approach.
2. Movring from specialized institutions to a basic social professional in the neighbourhoods.
3. From a fragmented front line to a recognisable local social worker.
4. To broaden, deepen and strengthen social work as a domain of theories and practices.
Social Innovation
Social work theory is embedded in the Research Centre for Social Innovation at Utrecht University of Applied Sciences / HU. This research centre includes six research groups and eight professors in social work and law. The centre has close ties with numerous organisations in the field, national and local authorities and research institutions.
Read more about the Research Centre.