Social workers have a duty to skirt edge of the law, says author

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When Gandhi stepped down to pick up a handful of salt on the shores of Dandi in 1930, his action gave birth to the beginning of a movement of non-violent civil disobedience in the name of justice. He served as an example for generations fighting for the poor and oppressed — including many social workers. 

John Tomlinson, visiting scholar in social work at Queensland University of Technology, spoke to The Current about his experiences. Back in 1973, Tomlinson, a social worker at the time, knew he had to defy the rules to do what he felt was right.

An Aboriginal girl in Australia, named Nola, ended up placed with a white foster family but Tomlinson knew she belonged with her parents. In the end, he went against public service laws to reunite Nola with her family.

Longtime social worker Deena Mandell says working outside the legal system is necessary for social justice. She argues that until oppressive systems change, subversion and extra legal action may be the only way to help the vulnerable.

• Deena Mandell, professor of graduate social work at Wilfrid Laurier University and a clinical social worker. She is also the co-editor of Subversive Action: Extralegal Practices for Social Justice.
• John Mayr, registrar and CEO of the BC College of Social Workers, as well as the president of the Canadian Council of Social Work Regulators. 
• John Tomlinson, visiting scholar in social work at Queensland University of Technology. 
   

Should social workers skirt the edges of the law if it benefits their clients?

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This segment was produced by The Current's Karin Marley.