Welfare Reform on the Web (December 2003): Social Care - Overseas

THE CHALLENGE OF SPIRITUAL DIVERSITY: CAN SOCIAL WORK FACILITATE AN INCLUSIVE ENVIRONMENT?

D.R. Hodge

Families in Society, vol.84, 2003, p.348-358

Discusses how social workers in the US could be trained to work effectively with theistic minorities such as Evangelical Christians. Efforts need to be made to address the religious stereotypes and spiritual prejudices that exist in the helping professions. The underrepresentation of Evangelical Christians and other theists in the social work profession indicates that it may have difficulty in fostering an inclusive environment that is respectful of spiritual diversity.

FROM OATHS TO RULEBOOKS: A CRITICAL EXAMINATION OF CODES OF ETHICS FOR THE SOCIAL PROFESSIONS

S. Banks

European Journal of Social Work, vol.6, 2003, p133-144

Paper explores the nature and function of codes of ethics for social care professionals, comparing three different codes from South Africa, England, and the USA to highlight differences in length, form, style and purpose. Goes on to consider criticisms of codes of ethics, particularly those emanating from moral philosophers. Concludes that codes of ethics should not be taken too literally. They are as much rhetorical, educational and regulatory devices as they are guides to practice for professionals facing ethical dilemmas.

STUDY ON A RESOURCE ALLOCATION FORMULA FOR SOCIAL SERVICES IN FINLAND

H. Valtonen and J. Laine

International Journal of Social Welfare, Vol. 12, 2003 p. 339-346

The study describes how the Finnish state subsidy system for social services was reassessed and a specific needs-based resource allocation formula, encompassing children's day care, income support and child welfare, was developed. It also evaluates the state subsidy system for healthcare.