ABSTRACT
Written by three UK social work academics, this chapter explores the important place of values in social work. It starts by recognising the, sometimes overlooked, relationship between our values and the decisions we take. It goes on to highlight that we operate with and within multiple value systems, and that these can change over time and space. The chapter concludes by recognising that value-based practice often involves tension and conflict. The authors therefore encourage us to reflect on the different values and value systems that we live and work within, as well as the particular histories (and, we would add, different experiences of gender, ‘race’ and ethnicity etc.) that contribute to and shape these.
