Social work praxis in policy: Reflections from India

Viewing social work as a discipline gives primary attention to theories and perspectives, whereas viewing it as a profession places emphasis on practice and skills. It is assumed that theoretical frames enable a shift from particularities to the glocal view, thus ensuring pluralism. While it is hinted that practice embedded in 'methods of social work' is limited and a prisoner of historical practice realms, what one misses in these myopic distinctions is that, in social work the 'centrality' of person/client is non-negotiable. These newer conceptualisations embrace 'in situations' and radical perspectives across all methods of social work. Methods of social work provide the base to traverse the micro-macro linkages and ensure policy focus on individuals, structure, systems, cultural norms and its consequent impact. Praxis of the methods is imperative to make policies relevant. This article presents the robustness of methods in firming policies, for addressing situations of exclusion and powerlessness, with the values of inclusion and empowerment. Drawing on the Bordieu's fields of power, capital and habitus, the article elucidates the application of methods of social work in a neoliberal world to challenge structures that perpetuate inequity and translates the operationalisation of individual agency.