Strengths-Based Practice in Adult Social Work and Social Care

Robin Miller is Professor of Collaborative Learning in Health and Social Care at the University of Birmingham, UK. An applied academic who builds on his previous roles in practice and strategic management, Robin has an interest in integrated care, co-production, leadership, and how to better use evidence to inform health and social care practice and policy.Sharanya Mahesh is a Research Fellow in Social Work and Social Care at the University of Birmingham, UK. She is a social worker with a practice background in community development and research interests including strengths-based approaches and innovations in adult social care.

A beautifully clear and much needed book, exploring many facets of strengths-based practice in adult social care from the underpinning theoretical concepts, to international developments through to practical application in a variety of contexts. Though pitched as a key text for student social workers, this book would be invaluable to any practitioner or senior leader who is interested in and passionate about this way of workingDez Holmes, Director, Research in Practice I found it an excellent overview of strengths based practice, including the origins of Strengths Based approaches , contemporary developments in UK and internationally and the promising indications of the positive impact of strengths based practice with individuals , families and communities both in adult social care and also children’s social care. This book provides a significant contribution to building the evidence base for strengths based practice and also helpfully highlights where further research , testing , learning and adaptation of the approach is needed.Lyn Romeo, Chief Social Worker for Adults (2014-2024), EnglandThis new book, which comprises a collection of articles from leading practitioners and academics in the field of strengths-based practice and social care reform, addresses for me two big questions for practitioners.Firstly, how do you move beyond theory and apply strengths-based practice in the messy real-world of social work in financially straightened times? Through clear explanations, good examples, and tangible pointers, this book helps you think through how to apply strengths-based practice in the day-to-day practice.The second question is ‘how do you change the leadership, culture and systems which surround the practitioner’? The authors of this book rightly grasp that strengths-based practice can only thrive, where there are strong supporting conditions and context.’I recommend strongly that leaders, practitioners and people with an interest in social care reform read this book.Ewan King, Chief Executive, Shared Lives PlusThis excellent book fully explores strengths based practice as a concept, what it means to people who draw on support and importantly, how it works in practice. Drawing on national and international examples and those from work with children and young people, it provides a much needed overview of contemporary practice models (with examples that bring them to life) and the strengths, challenges and evidence base for each. As such, it is a valuable resource for students of social work as well as practitioners, leaders and commissioners looking for an objective, thoughtful exploration of this fundamental approach to how we provide compassionate, holistic support and how organisations can nurture approaches that put people and what matters to them at the heart of practice.Jenny Pitts, Programme Director, NDTI

• Drawing on the expertise of social work and social care researchers, educators, practitioners, and those with lived experience of accessing social work services, this book presents an objective and practice relevant overview of strengths-based practice in the UK. The potential benefits for individuals, families, and communities of social work adopting a strengths-based approach in adult social work and social care are widely recognised across the four nations of the UK. Despite this, there remains much uncertainty about what good strengths-based approaches are, and how they can be practically supported in practice, policy, and research. Presenting a contemporary picture of how strengths-based practice is understood within a UK social work and social care context within each of the home nations, this book draws on the latest research and practice knowledge to discuss and critique the impacts and implementation of the main strength-based models. Drawing on learning from other countries and practice within children’s services, it also reflects on the theoretical thinking which underpins strengths perspectives and identifies future challenges and opportunities within adult social work and social care in the United Kingdom.It will be of interest to all scholars, students and practitioners of social work and social care across all four nations of the UK, and those from other countries who are interested in international learning.