In this chapter of the book Human Rights and Social Justice, the authors propose a multidimensional framework for conceptualizing the relationship between direct social work practice and social justice. The framework evolved out of research with practicing social workers and directs practitioners to focus on respect, resources, systems and advocacy. A social justice informed approach to clinical practice is essential when working with marginalized and historically devalued individuals and communities such as youth and families involved with the child welfare system, and highlights policy and service deficiencies in existing child welfare regimes. They focus their attention on issues and challenges facing rural youth who have exited care, with special consideration of First Nation or Indigenous youth in Canada, and offer a multidimensional framework that can support anti-colonial and anti-oppressive models of practice.
