Social work and countering violent extremism in Sweden and the UK. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Finch, Jo; Jönsson, Jessica H.; Kamali, Masoud; McKendrick, David
• Is Part Of: European journal of social work. Volume 25:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 119
• Page End: 130
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Social work -- counter-terrorism -- radicalisation -- extremism -- racism; Socialt arbete -- anti-terrorism -- radikalisering -- extremism -- rasism; Social service -- Europe -- Periodicals; Social service -- Vocational guidance -- Europe -- Periodicals; 361.3209405
• DOI: 10.1080/13691457.2019.1657803
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1369-1457

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social Work in Europe, is now being tasked with managing the 'problems' of terrorism, i.e supporting those affected by terrorist attacks, managing returnees affiliated with Terrorist groups in the Middle East, or, as will be discussed here, identifying those at risk from radicalisation and extremism. Both Britain and Sweden have Counter-Terrorism policies, but recent developments in both countries have made it a statutory requirement for social workers to work within such policies. This paper seeks to explore the policies in both countries, utilising a comparative approach to consider the similarities in not only policy and practice but also in the ethical consequences such policies pose for social workers across Europe. The exploration considers; the extent to which anti-radicalisation policies influence social work practices in Sweden and the UK and how they might undermine social work as a human rights profession. The results indicate that anti-radicalisation policies run the risk of reducing social work to become a 'policing profession' practising social control. This has substantial consequences for social work and its global ethics, which should be considered and struggled against by social workers committed to principles of social justice and human rights.