ABSTRACT
This conclusion presents some closing thoughts on the concepts covered in the preceding chapters of this book. The book argues that definitions and short descriptions did not work very well in illuminating social work. It presents the results of evaluative research into social work. The book raises some very basic questions concerning knowledge in social work. It refers to what are usually called the values of social work. The book discusses in some detail one of the values usually listed, namely that of self-determination. Students should begin by appreciating that their orientation should be to social work rather than to what have so far been identified as the methods of social work. Social workers work in and through social work agencies. Within agencies social workers will adopt different orientations and different ideologies, but private practice is a contradiction in terms when applied to social work.
