Critical community practice

Hugh Butcher researches, writes and publishes as an independent consultant in the fields of community practice and higher education development. He has worked in community development, as a tutor in social policy, and in educational management and was, until recently, Head of Department of Applied Social Science and Humanities at Bradford College, West Yorkshire, UK. He contributed to, and co-edited "Community and Public Policy and Managing Community Practice".Sarah Banks is Professor in the School of Applied Social Sciences, Durham University, UK. She teaches and researches in the fields of community practice and development, youth work and professional ethics. Her publications include "Ethics and Values in Social Work; Ethics, Accountability and the Social Professions" and edited collections: "Managing Community Practice, Ethical Issues in Youth Work" and "Teaching Practical Ethics for the Social Professions". Paul Henderson is a consultant and writer on community development, having previously been Visiting Professor at De Montfort University, UK and Director of Practice Development at the Community Development Foundation. Co-authored publications include "Skills in Neighbourhood Work" and "Social Exclusion and Community Development" and the edited publication "Managing Community Practice". He is a Trustee of the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust.Jim Robertson is a former Senior Lecturer in the School of Health, Community and Education Studies, Northumbria University. He is currently Chair of the Churches Community Work Alliance and is co-author of the publication "Acting in Good Faith" (2004) concerned with church-related community development. Current practice experience includes a management role in projects enabling community development learning in disadvantaged areas of North East England.

"This book combines critical theoretical analysis with reflective professional practice, illustrated with examples drawn from diverse professional contexts. It will provide an invaluable resource for students and practising professionals alike - I shall certainly be strongly recommending this as a key text for my students." Marjorie Mayo, Goldsmiths, University of London

• Introduction; Power and empowerment: the foundations of critical community practice; What is critical community practice? Case studies and analysis; Towards a model of critical community practice; Working in and with community groups and organisations: processes and practices; Critical community practice: organisational leadership and management; Politics and policy: a critical community practice perspective; Becoming critical: developing the community practitioner; Conclusions.