This book offers a much-needed critical overview of the concept of social justice and its application in professional social work practice. Social justice has a rich conceptual genealogy in critical theory and political philosophy. For students, teachers and social workers concerned with empowerment, social change and human rights, this book provides a guide to the key ideas and thinkers, crucial historical developments and contemporary debates about social justice. It synthesises interdisciplinary knowledge and offers a new framework for practice, including a clear and practical exposition of four domains of skills and knowledge important for social justice informed social work. The book also contributes to social work pedagogy by offering a comprehensive set of learning outcomes that can be used to design curriculum, teaching and learning, and further research into social justice praxis. This book provides a range of philosophical and critical perspectives to support and inform social work professional knowledge and skills.  In its tight knitting together of theory and practice this book links philosophical and moral principles with an understanding of how to engage with social justice in a way that is relevant to social work.

Lynelle Watts is a Senior Lecturer in social work at Edith Cowan University who teaches legal and ethical practice, social work history, theory and professional practice, and social research methods. Lynelle's research has focused on teaching and learning in higher education, reflective practice and critical reflection in social work, community assessment of risk and protective factors for children and young people, and assessment tools for carers of people with mental illness. She has published in the area of social work education and curriculum, authenticity in marketing, reflective practice and ethics education. 
 
David Hodgson is a Senior Lecturer in social work at Edith Cowan University who teaches philosophy of ethics, social work practice skills, project management, social work theory, social theory and research methods. David has conducted research on compulsory school leaving policy, school attrition, services for families and childrenand social work curriculum. He has published in the areas of sociology, early school leaving, compulsory education policy, social work education and curriculum, and ethics education. In 2017 David was appointed to the role of Associate Editor for the journal Australian Social Work.