Social Work Reclaimed

Steve Goodman and Isabelle Trowler are the co-founders of the Reclaiming Social Work (RSW) model. They have recently set up their own social enterprise, Morning Lane Associates, to promote the RSW model at a national level. They are both qualified social workers, and Isabelle has also been named as the first ever Chief Social Worker for Children in England.

This book is the account of how the London Borough of Hackney took up the same challenge in its children's services. It brings seriously good news from every point of view. From a professional perspective, it offers a model of practice that is coherent, ethical and effective in changing people's lives. From a managerial perspective, it demonstrates how to produce change in a large bureaucratic organisation, to make it more effective and simultaneously save resources of time and money. From a political perspective, it takes social workout of the hair of politicians and out of the media limelight.

• Foreword. Eileen Munro. Introduction. Isabelle Trowler and Steve Goodman, Morning Lane Associates, UK. 2. A Systems Methodology for Child and Family Social Work. Isabelle Trowler and Steve Goodman. 3. Systemic Practice in a Risk Management Context. Nick Pendry, Institute of Family Therapy, London and Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, NHS Trust, London. 4. Behavioural-based Interventions: Social Learning Theory. Stewart McCafferty, The Attachment Practice. 5. Stories Lived, Stories Told: Using a Systemic Approach to Case Recording in the Social Work Unit. Julie Rooke, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children. 6. Preconditions: Structure, Continuity and Momentum. Karen Schiltroth, London Borough of Hackney, Children and Young People's Services. 7. Working with People in Transition. Timo Dobrowolski, London Borough of Hackney, Children and Young People's Services. 8. The Centrality of Relationships. Karen Gaughan and Sonya Kalyniak, London Borough of Hackney Leaving Care Service. 9. Liberated Thinking within a Social Work Unit. Rick Mason, London Borough of Hackney, Children and Young People's Services. 10. Helping People Move Beyond Their Own Histories. Martin Purbrick, independent social work consultant. 11. Seen and Heard: The Unfolding Story of Reclaiming Social Work Through the Eyes of a Children’s Practitioner. Charlie Clayton, London Borough of Hackney, Children and Young People's Services. 12. Conclusion and Reflections on Our Journey. Isabelle Trowler and Steve Goodman. List of Contributors. Index.