Social education: A paradigm for social work in a changing Scotland?

Abstract

The agenda set in the post-World War II period, particularly from the 1960s onwards, with its strong emphasis on social and human rights, sets the context for modern social work in Scotland. This chapter charts the development of social work in Scotland from its professionalisation in the late 1960s. It positions the idea of social education centrally, consistent with the country's obligations in respect of international treaties and also resonating with the European discipline of social pedagogy. The chapter suggests a revitalised conception of social education may offer a distinctive and culturally congruent paradigm for contemporary Scottish social work. Some form of social pedagogy is the model of direct work with people across most of Europe. Social pedagogy has emerged over the past decade across the UK as a practice paradigm that challenges some of the managerial direction that social work has taken.