Critical social work as imperfect work

Abstract

In this chapter, I argue that critical social work should embrace paradigmatic openness and ambiguity as key elements of social work. Instead of being focused on ‘what works’ and on the aim for recognition and clear-cut methods, social work’s main task is to focus on what does not work. Inspired by the work of Albert Camus, I use the metaphor of the Happy Sisyphus to explain the different positions social work can take in the face of its impossible task. I stress the necessity to rebel and to develop social work as a political practice which is not only focused on solving social problems, but also to pay attention to all that escapes and fails, because therein often lies the question of social justice of our society and social work. Hence, it is argued that critical social work is always imperfect work.