Effective Advocacy in Social Work

Jane Dalrymple is a freelance trainer and consultant. She practiced as a social worker in children and family services for many years and ran a national advocacy service for five years.  For the last sixteen years she has worked as a senior lecturer on the social work course at the University of the West of England. She has published widely in the field of advocacy including Understanding Advocacy for Children and Young People (Open University Press, 2009) with Jane Boylan.  Jane now works as an independent trainer across the UK and in Europe and assesses independent advocates.Jane Boylan is Senior Lecturer in Social Work at the University of Keele, England.  Her research interests include advocacy, looked after children and children and young peoples′ rights. She has published widely in the field of children′s rights and advocacy, including Understanding Advocacy for Children and Young People (Open University Press, 2009) with Jane Dalrymple.

A stimulating and accessible book written by two experienced and respected authors who have a considerable wealth of knowledge and practice experience within the area of advocacy and social work. The concept of advocacy is fully explored and interrogated. The authors develop a convincing argument as to why advocacy should be recognised as an important feature of contemporary social work. The book contains interesting and diverse case scenarios, vignettes and narratives, which enliven the text as well as highlight the relationship between theory and practice. Thought provoking ‘discussion questions’ at the end of each chapter provides the stimulus for the reader to critically reflect on what they have read. This text makes a valuable contribution to the development of practice, which engages with service users and carers, promotes human rights and is justice orientated.

• What is Advocacy and How Do We Use it in Social Work?Contextualising Social Work Advocacy Reclaiming Advocacy in Contemporary Social WorkAdvocacy Skills Participation and Partnership Advocacy Across the Life CourseRepresentation and Complaints Independent AdvocacyConclusion: Developing a Culture of Advocacy