International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION) Vol. 4(4), pp. 89 - 95
DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2016.040403
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Towards Spiritually Sensitive Social Work in a Multi Ethnic Western World


Venkat Pulla *
Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Australia

ABSTRACT

Progressive secularisation of western societies connotes casualization of spiritual care and where presented it appears to be highly tentative. An acid test to confirm the futility of our current aptitude in social work skill emerges prominently as we deal with minority and ageing populations in western societies. Irrespective of culture into which people are born into there appears to be a recognition that spiritual concerns commence early in one's development, when life is full of zest, vigour and vitality and as a result of preoccupation with zestful life these spiritual concerns remain on a back burner. Whichever journey that a social worker partakes in, and whom is spiritually sensitive, it is not only productive for the client but is also especially rewarding for the social worker as it initiates their personal inward reflective journey. The concepts in this paper are conceived and situated from the western world's perspective, but it is possible to resonate equally with social work agenda for the East. In this paper I aim to deal with how we inform ourselves about concerns of spiritual nature amidst the challenges and opportunities that surround us as we live amongst a multitudinous ethnic western society. Furthermore, I will be discussing the efficacy of the strengths based approach in social work practice within the context of building a spiritual social work framework.

KEYWORDS
Spirituality, Social Work and Spiritual Social Work, End of Life, Palliative

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Venkat Pulla , "Towards Spiritually Sensitive Social Work in a Multi Ethnic Western World," International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), Vol. 4, No. 4, pp. 89 - 95, 2016. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2016.040403.

(b). APA Format:
Venkat Pulla (2016). Towards Spiritually Sensitive Social Work in a Multi Ethnic Western World. International Journal of Social Work and Human Services Practice(CEASE PUBLICATION), 4(4), 89 - 95. DOI: 10.13189/ijrh.2016.040403.