Anti-oppressive practice

Abstract

In this chapter, the authors consider the debates, examine some of the strengths and difficulties of an anti-oppressive practice approach and indicate how it can be used to inform current practice. Anti-oppressive practice, described as ‘a key methodological and theoretical paradigm in social work’ and ‘a dominant theory of critical social work practice’, developed as professionals found methods of working with users of welfare services which took into account the oppression and inequality people experienced in their daily lives. It, drawing on critical social science theories and informed by humanistic and social justice values, is acknowledged as ‘one of the main forms of social justice oriented social work theory and practice today’. The concepts of power and oppression are key elements of anti-oppressive practice theory. An unpoliticized understanding of anti-oppressive values and principles can lead to practitioners engaging in practices which are complicit in sustaining and maintaining systems of oppression and inequality.

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