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Critical multicultural practice, rather than being a specialism, is integral to Australian social work. Drawing on critical race theory, critical multiculturalism, intersectionality and critical reflection as practice theory, this major new edited collection challenges many of the dominant assumptions of cross-cultural social work and provides instead a new model of transformative engagement.
Key concepts are considered, including identity, culture, diversity and superdiversity, how power and privilege shape everyday interactions and what is meant by citizenship in the contemporary context. Part One explores the changing nature of multicultural practice in Australia, including our society's changing demographic profile, the impact of asylum and refugee migrations, race and racism and cultural identity. Indigenous perspectives and the relationship with multicultural practice are examined, together with the ethical and legal basis for multicultural practice. This part concludes with an outline of the editors' framework for critical multicultural practice. Part Two draws on contributions from a range of practitioners and offers new perspectives on diverse fields, including child protection, mental health, disability, ageing, homelessness and rural and regional practice.
Featuring case studies and insights drawn from across the spectrum of practice, this book is a vital resource for all social workers practising in Australia today.
'[A] rich and nuanced analysis of what is happening at the interfaces of our work and the lives of Australian citizens, [it] articulates ways forward that are genuine, bold and empathetic.'
From the foreword by Professor Kerry Arabena, The University of Melbourne
List of contents
Table and figures
Editors and contributors
Acronyms and abbreviations
Foreword
Introduction
Part I: Understanding ethnic diversity
1 Australia and its 'others': Multicultural theory, policy and practice
2 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander rights and multicultural
responsibilities
3 The ethical, legal and policy context of critical multicultural practice
4 Critical multiculturalism in practice
Part II: Fields of practice
5 Critical multiculturalism and disproportionality in child protection-
6 Mental health and critical multicultural practice: An arts-based
approach
7 Beyond the silos: Towards transformative social work practice
with people from refugee backgrounds living with a disability
8 Ageing and ethnicity
9 Critical multicultural practice: Domestic violence, and refugees
and asylum seekers
10 A relational pedagogy: A YoungMILE in our decolonising social
work practice journey
11 Critical multicultural resettlement practice
12 Nationless, homeless and seeking asylum: Considerations for
social workers
13 Working with community groups
14 Responding to rural and regional multiculture
15 Critical multicultural practice with ethnic minority children and
their families
Index
About the author
Dr Sharlene Nipperess is Lecturer in Social Work at RMIT University and is a co-editor of Allen & Unwin's
Doing Critical Social Work. Professor Charlotte Williams, OBE, is Deputy Dean, Social Work at RMIT University. She is the co-author of
Social Work in a Diverse Society, and editor of
Social Work and the City: Urban themes in 21st century social work.
Summary
A guide to the theory and practice of effective and sensitive multicultural approaches across a range of settings including aged care, disability services and child protection, suitable for both students and practitioners.
