Evidence-based practice (EBP) has emerged as an alternative to traditional social work practice and has ignited a new round in the decades-old debate about the relationship between knowledge and practice in the field. This article identifies several limitations inherent in the EBP perspective and argues that it would be unfortunate if EBP were to…

In this article the author discusses the evolution and nature of the concepts of profession and professionalization and offers suggestions for reforming social work that will make the profession more responsive to the consumers of service. (Author)

This article presents research on what social workers actually do. Results indicate that about 51 percent of the reported behavior is direct service or clinical in nature and that about 64 percent of the reported behavior requires professional training to perform. (HMV)

The drive to increase the productivity of social workers in large public agencies has contributed to an erosion of craft elements of practice. Workers' functions are becoming increasingly repetitive and mechanistic, and opportunities to exercise judgment or to develop specific skills are limited. These trends contribute to a weakening of…

To meet the already pressing demands for their services, human service agencies are trying to develop new resources and redeploy existing ones. The author proposes two strategies to deal with the problem and provides numerous examples of how these strategies have been applied successfully. (Author)

The growing demand for more services that are effective, accountable, and responsive to the consumer calls for a new training design for workers in the human services. A comparison of training for pilots and plumbers suggests a basic technique for this design. (Author)

Previous reviews of social work research on the outcome of casework and group work services have concluded that these direct practice methods are ineffective. This "study of studies" analyzes the body of research again, but from the standpoint of practice and the practitioner, and discusses the implications. (Author)

A professional social worker is employed for family counseling three mornings a week in a pediatrician's office. Results indicate that this team approach has been valuable in dealing with the many pediatric problems. (Author)

Outlines the social work frame of reference first discussed by the NASW Commission on Social Work Practice and subsequently further developed. They then use it to develop a system of specialization consistent with unique perspectives of social work and adaptable to changing demands to which social work must respond. (Author)

Advocates that social work educators provide information about the nature and elements of liability in social work practice. Reviews the fundamentals of social work liability and describes how they can be covered in almost any course, but particularly courses on social work ethics, professional methods and practices, child welfare, and social work…

Is private practice a superior service delivery mechanism? The author contends that, in affording the client his choice of a helper, private practice embodies the basic values of social work and stimulates workers to become more responsible and knowledgeable.

There is no doubt that private practitioners make an important contribution to the profession of social work. It is questionable, however, whether private practice is a superior delivery system that should replace the agency-based service tradition of the profession. (Author)

The literature on the conflict between professional autonomy and bureaucratic controls is extensive. The author examines this literature in detail and concludes that the trend is toward further intrusions on worker autonomy.

Determined the extent to which social workers participate in self-help groups and examined their role in planning, developing, and supporting the groups continued existence. Results indicated that social workers perform important functions in supporting the growth and continued existence of self-help groups. (RC)

Advocacy has become a prominent and popular idea in social work practice. But, as the authors point out, the social worker functioning as an advocate may be undermining his professional ethics as well as the interests of the clients with whom he works. (Author)