Professor Joyce Lishman is now retired, and was previously Head of the School of Applied Social Studies, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK. She was also General Editor of the Research Highlights in Social Work series for many years. Neil Gibson graduated with a BA in Communication and worked in the media, travel and tourism before re-entering education and obtaining an MSc in Social Work. He has worked in residential childcare, substance use, care management, and adult protection before joining the social work teaching team at Robert Gordon University where he currently works. Chris Yuill is a sociologist at Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, whose work focuses on the sociology of health and the sociology of urban experiences. In addition to a variety of journal publications and research reports he has written and co-edited a number of textbooks for SAGE, one of his most recent being Sociology for Social Work co-edited with Alastair Gibson. Other texts include Understanding the Sociology of Health: An Introduction with Anne-Marie Barry, which is now in its third edition and has also been translated into Chinese. Chris has also served two terms on the executive of the British Sociological Association.

Clearly written and comprehensive. It’s always helpful to have a book that becomes a ‘go to’ for introducing students to key areas of social work knowledge and skills and this is one that I regularly recommend. The book contains many helpful case studies and critical thinking points to help students develop their thinking further. One of the significant attractions of the book is its online study resources which link to each of the chapters in the book. Again these are really helpful for developing a deeper understanding of the topic areas.

• Part I: Knowledge BaseChapter 1: Values, Ethics And Anti-Discriminatory Practice - Julian Bell and Sach MagillChapter 2: Law - Heather MunroChapter 3: Social Work: A political Profession - Gary SpolanderChapter 4: Sociology - Megan Todd and Chris YuillChapter 5: Material Circumstances, Poverty And Income Inequality - Chris Yuill and Alice Butler-WarkeChapter 6: Psychological Approaches: Their Application And Relevance To Social Work - Rita PhillipsChapter 7: Human Growth And Development - Stewart Brodie and Clare Hancock-FraserChapter 8: Communication And ICT - Sheila Slesser and Jenny BlairChapter 9: Research For Social Work: An Introduction - Rita Philips, Alice Butler-Warke and Gary SpolanderChapter 10: Reflective Practice - Angela HartPart II: Assessment And Joint WorkingChapter 11: Generic Issues In Assessment And Managing Uncertainty - Jillian BrannanChapter 12: Models Of Assessment - Janine Bolger and Patrick WalkerChapter 13: Risk Assessment - Kirstin Parkes and Mike ShepherdChapter 14: Interprofessional Practice - Ruth Waugh, Ruth Taylor and Jillian BrannanChapter 15: Leadership, Management And Teamwork - Gary Spolander, Jillian Brannan, Jill Campbell and Alastair GibsonChapter 16: The Voice Of People With Lived Experience - Tiegan Boyens, Jillian Brannan, Simon Gardner, Steve Morrison and Isaac SamuelsPart III: Models Of InterventionChapter 17: Relationship-Based Social Work - Tuck-Chee PhungChapter 18: Crisis Intervention - Angela HartChapter 19: Cognitive Behavioural Therapy: Its Practice And Its Place In Social Work - Tracey Clare with George AllanChapter 20: Task-Centred Intervention - Dave HumphreyChapter 21: Working In The Life Space - Jeremy Millar with Janine BolgerChapter 22: Person-Centered Planning And Personalisation - Neil GibsonChapter 23: Narrative Approaches - Neil Gibson and Inga HeymanChapter 24: Motivational Interviewing - Anne Shirran and Colleen ElliottChapter 25: The Solution-Focused Approach - Steve Smith, Jim Dressel, Jillian Brannan and Alastair LoganChapter 26: Counselling In Social Work - Michael Sutherland and Fiona FeilbergChapter 27: Community Practice In Social Work - Linda Harms-Smith and Sarah BucklerPart IV: Practice Contexts And ApplicationChapter 28: Generic Issues In Practice Contexts - Graeme SimpsonChapter 29: Working With Children And Young People - Sharon Munro, Patrick Walker and Dave HumphreyChapter 30: Methods Of Intervention In Working With Individuals With Substance Problems - Claire MarsdenChapter 31: Working With Adults: Mental Health - Mike Maas-LowitChapter 32: Working With Adults: Justice Social Work - Isobel TownsendChapter 33: Working With Adults: Disability And Sensory Impairment - Sheila SlesserChapter 34: Working With Adults: Learning Disability - Fiona Feilberg and Neil GibsonChapter 35: Social Work Interventions With Older People - Alyson Hill, Iain Fisk and Rory LynchChapter 36: Evaluation - Joyce Lishman with Janine BolgerConclusion - Joyce Lishman