Social Work History Network
Print versionThe Social Work History Network (SWHN) is an informal network of social workers, historians, archivists, researchers and teachers in higher education, social work policy makers and practitioners.
Believing that a sense of the past is an essential part of identity, the SWHN endeavours to promote knowledge and understanding of the nature and growth of social work to assist with the development of policy and practice.
The Social Care Workforce Research Unit has supported SWHN activities since 2005, and Joan Rapaport is the co-ordinator of the network.
> Social Work History Network website (University of Chester)
> Social Work History Network pamphlet (pdf, 436 KB)
SWHN's 10th birthday seminar
14 October 2010 The Social Work History Network celebrates its 10th birthday with an afternoon of speakers and presentations looking at the leading lights in social work. Seminar details (doc, 438 KB)
Related publications
Rapaport, J. & Manthorpe, J., (2009), 'Fifty years on. The legacy of the Percy Report', Journal of Social Work, 9(3): 251-267.
Fifty years ago, the Percy Report (the Royal Commission on the Law Relating to Mental Illness and Mental Deficiency) was an important landmark in mental health policy in England. In 'Fifty years on. The legacy of the Percy Report', Joan Rapaport and Jill Manthorpe analyse the contents of the report, its impact and influence. They argue that today’s social workers need to engage with such policy-shaping, as individuals but particularly through professional organisations.
Rapaport, J., (2010), 'Social work's mad history', Professional Social Work, January: 26-27.
In 'Social work's mad history' Joan Rapaport reports on a SWHN meeting held 6 October 2009 which heard from two speakers on the subject of mental health—both presentations are available below. Professor Shulamit Ramon exhorted social workers to embrace the principle of evidence-based practice and to take opportunities to engage in research initiatives. Dr Bob Murphy offered a new slant on Understanding Madness based on the findings of his recent PhD. He highlighted the importance of understanding the psychosocial factors leading to a mental health breakdown.
> Professor Shulamit Ramon: The Past, Present and Future of Mental Health Social Work (ppt, 86 KB)
> Dr Bob Murphy: Understanding Madness: Restoring the Social Model of Mental Health (pdf, 78 KB)
Rapaport, J., (2009), 'Forty Years since Seebohm', Professional Social Work, February: 26-27.
Rapaport, J., (2009), 'Back to the very beginning', Professional Social Work, July: 26-27.
Rapaport, J., (2009), 'The life & times of forensic social work', Professional Social Work, September: 26-27.
Related sites
> Sources for the history of social work (archives of the Modern Records Centre at the University of Warwick)
> History of Social Work (in development)
> Voluntary Action History Society
> Olive Stevenson
Attached files
