Inquiring into the Spirit of Social Work

Spirituality is becoming a buzz word in this century, especially non-dogmatic, participatory spirituality separated, and at times in juxtaposition with, religion. At a time when neoliberal managerialist approaches to social work are eroding the relationship-based nature of practice and notions of collective responsibility for welfare; and the ‘old fashioned’ concepts like compassion, reciprocity and mutuality are no longer given prominence; there has never been a more important time to reflect on what spirituality can offer to practitioners and those that they serve.