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British Journal of Social Work (2000) 30, 449-463
© 2000 British Association of Social Workers
Some thoughts on the relationship between theory and practice in and for social work
Centre for Applied Childhood Studies, School of Human and Health Sciences, University of Huddersfield, Huddersfield HD1 3DH, UK
e-mail: n.parton@hud.ac.uk
Summary
The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of the discipline of social work and to argue that perhaps its central and unique characteristic is the way theory and practice are closely interrelated. In doing so it suggests it is important to locate social work in its particular social, political and historical contexts and to identify some of the key factors which have influenced not only its development but its forms. Social work is identified as being essentially ambiguous, complex and uncertain such that its major strengths are in terms of its ability to improve dialogue, understanding and interpretation, rather than simply be concerned with legislating and acting with authority. In this sense it has the potential to make a significant contribution to the contemporary social sciences more generally.
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