New Directions in Social Work series – serie

Working with Offenders examines the current knowledge, skills and values which are needed by those working as probation officers and social workers for effective and competent practice. As well as looking at areas of practice which are of central importance to the altering roles of practitioners, this original textbook provides a critical appraisal of the policies and requirements which guide those roles.

Written in an accessible style by experienced academics and professionals, the book examines: the issues which inform practice - training, skills and competences, antidiscriminatory practice, autonomy and accountability, masculinity and the causes of crime; the contexts in which work with offenders take place - probation committees, boards, pre-sentence reports, community penalties, prison, and the community; and the outcomes of good practice - including partnerships against crime, efficiency, effectiveness and an evaluation of crime prevention and broader methods of intervention.

`[A]ims to clarify how competent practice emerges from the integration of knowledge, values and skills.... It includes fairly detailed discussion of core values, knowledge and skills, devoting a chapter to each and going on to make links with particular areas of work. Thoughtful cross referencing between contributors and extensive reference to research and other relevant literature promotes appreciation that competent practice requires integration' - Child and Family Social Work

This original textbook provides an invaluable introduction to the required core knowledge, values and skills in social work today. Within the context of critical debate about knowledge, values and skills, a highly respected team of contributors focus their attention on three key areas: social work with children and families; community care and social work with adults; and probation and social work with offenders.

One of the most important and innovative features of the text is that it offers a practical tool for readers to identify and monitor competences. Knowledge, values and skills are integrated to produce a set of competences, the main components of which are then shown in practice as problem-solving devices against which readers can evaluate their own understanding of competent and effective practice.