Remembering Barbara Wootton’s contribution to social work education

Barbara Wootton, a prominent British social scientist and educator of social workers, examined the status of social work in the 1950s. Wootton argued iconoclastically that the social work literature presented a profession that was arrogant and far removed from the common concerns of the populations served. In addition, Wootton felt that the social worker–client relationship was emphasized to the extent that other important aspects of social work were gravely overlooked. As a lifelong socialist, Wootton stressed the need for an interdisciplinary approach to the solution of human problems and for people— professionals and clients alike—to bridge the gap between social classes. The continuing relevance of Wootton's writings to current social work is discussed.