Routledge Revivals: Noel Timms – serie

The volumes in this set, originally published between 1964 and 1983, draw together research by the author. The collection covers some of his major works in the field of social work, with a focus on social policy, language, psychiatry and philosophy within the area of social work.

Originally published in 1964 Psychiatric Social Work looks at psychiatric social work as an established form of professional social work in Great Britain, as well as the mental health policy introduced at the time of the book’s publication. The book looks at how social workers in the 1960s were striving for professional status, and the interest that grew around their professional status during this period. The book examines changes and issues in their training and a general picture of those who qualified. It looks at the careers of a group of social workers and follows the developments in child guidance, mental hospitals, and the care of the mentally ill in the community. The contribution of social workers is discussed and their activities of the professional associations in training and professional development is examined. This book will act as an important historical look at the changes to social work.

Originally published in 1970, Social Work is an introduction for students and others who are thinking of taking up social work, or who want to know what social work is. The book begins by outlining the development of social work in the United Kingdom. It describes the methods social workers use, the knowledge they require in order to work effectively, the values they espouse, and the organisations within which they work. The book concludes with a detailed section on education and training for social work.

Originally published in 1970, Social Work is an introduction for students and others who are thinking of taking up social work, or who want to know what social work is. The book begins by outlining the development of social work in the United Kingdom. It describes the methods social workers use, the knowledge they require in order to work effectively, the values they espouse, and the organisations within which they work. The book concludes with a detailed section on education and training for social work.

Originally published in 1972 Recording in Social Work looks at how recording has always been claimed as one of the necessary activities of social workers, whatever form of social work they undertake. The book deals systematically with recording, and the theory and practice recording takes, as well as the research projects and small-scale studies which discuss critically certain aspects of the method. The book offers a review of the history of recording, including a critical discussion of the three early texts on the subject. It surveys the literature on purposes of recording and concludes with an analysis of the main issues surrounding recording. The book assesses the present position of theory and practice in social work recording and suggests both ways in which the subject can be developed and the wider context.

Originally published in 1972 Recording in Social Work looks at how recording has always been claimed as one of the necessary activities of social workers, whatever form of social work they undertake. The book deals systematically with recording, and the theory and practice recording takes, as well as the research projects and small-scale studies which discuss critically certain aspects of the method. The book offers a review of the history of recording, including a critical discussion of the three early texts on the subject. It surveys the literature on purposes of recording and concludes with an analysis of the main issues surrounding recording. The book assesses the present position of theory and practice in social work recording and suggests both ways in which the subject can be developed and the wider context.

Perspectives in Social Work was originally published in 1977 and provides a text for social workers in training to use. The book argues for a more philosophical approach to both understanding and doing social work and seeks to establish simple and basic elements in social work, asking questions such as: what should a social worker be able to do? What should a social worker know and believe? Does social work actually work? In answering these questions the book offers a wide ranging and critical review of literature of the time and looks at social work as a method of altruism. This book is still topical today and acts as a useful document on the subject of social work both through the discussions within, and through the lens of modern change. It will be of particular interest to those studying the history and changes in social work.

Perspectives in Social Work was originally published in 1977 and provides a text for social workers in training to use. The book argues for a more philosophical approach to both understanding and doing social work and seeks to establish simple and basic elements in social work, asking questions such as: what should a social worker be able to do? What should a social worker know and believe? Does social work actually work? In answering these questions the book offers a wide ranging and critical review of literature of the time and looks at social work as a method of altruism. This book is still topical today and acts as a useful document on the subject of social work both through the discussions within, and through the lens of modern change. It will be of particular interest to those studying the history and changes in social work.

Originally published in 1973, The Receiving End looks at the British welfare services for deprived children. The book is comprised of essays from individuals that have been on the receiving end of the social help agencies, such as adoption societies, fostering agencies and children’s homes. Each contributor provides a unique viewpoint of their own experiences, the experiences include chapters from those with experience of adopting a child, those that have been in the care of the local authority, and a first-hand account of a teenager in a psychiatric clinic. The book provides a valuable insight social work from the viewpoint of those receiving it. The book is still very much relevant today, and will be of interest to those working in the field of social work, or those studying social work.

Originally published in 1973, The Receiving End looks at the British welfare services for deprived children. The book is comprised of essays from individuals that have been on the receiving end of the social help agencies, such as adoption societies, fostering agencies and children’s homes. Each contributor provides a unique viewpoint of their own experiences, the experiences include chapters from those with experience of adopting a child, those that have been in the care of the local authority, and a first-hand account of a teenager in a psychiatric clinic. The book provides a valuable insight social work from the viewpoint of those receiving it. The book is still very much relevant today, and will be of interest to those working in the field of social work, or those studying social work.

Originally published in 1968, Language of Social Casework considers the way in which social workers commonly neglect language. It is suggested that part of this neglect is due to the ways in which social workers and their critics envisage the activity of social work. The traditional criticisms of philanthropy and social work, are, therefore reviewed, and an attempt made to describe some common responses to them on the part of the practitioners. This is followed by an examination of two terms that are of some importance in the language of casework: the ‘generic-specific’ concept, and the idea of the ‘settings’ of casework. But casework is also described in terms borrowed from other ‘contexts: it is seen as ‘art’ or ‘science’, as a ‘therapy’ or the offer of ‘friendship’. Each of these descriptions is considered in the last two chapters of the book. The book also includes a brand new and fully updated preface by the author, contextualising this 1968 publication, in light of advancements made in the past 50 years.

Originally published in 1968, Language of Social Casework considers the way in which social workers commonly neglect language. It is suggested that part of this neglect is due to the ways in which social workers and their critics envisage the activity of social work. The traditional criticisms of philanthropy and social work, are, therefore reviewed, and an attempt made to describe some common responses to them on the part of the practitioners. This is followed by an examination of two terms that are of some importance in the language of casework: the ‘generic-specific’ concept, and the idea of the ‘settings’ of casework. But casework is also described in terms borrowed from other ‘contexts: it is seen as ‘art’ or ‘science’, as a ‘therapy’ or the offer of ‘friendship’. Each of these descriptions is considered in the last two chapters of the book. The book also includes a brand new and fully updated preface by the author, contextualising this 1968 publication, in light of advancements made in the past 50 years.

Originally published in 1978, Philosophy in Social Work is a collection of papers that invites reflective consideration of the philosophical issues arising out of social work. The work stemmed from a series of meetings at the University of Glasgow, designed to encourage philosophers to look at traditional problems raised in the comparatively unfamiliar setting of social work and social service, and for social workers to see the place for philosophical reflection on what they are doing. Among the subjects discussed in the collection are discretion, rights, charity and the Welfare State, the morality of law and the politics of probation, authority and the social workers, and social work and ideology. The underlying theme of all the papers is the away in which philosophy can revive discussion of beliefs and values in social work. It also asks philosophers to intensify their treatment of concrete issues of social significance.

Originally published in 1978, Philosophy in Social Work is a collection of papers that invites reflective consideration of the philosophical issues arising out of social work. The work stemmed from a series of meetings at the University of Glasgow, designed to encourage philosophers to look at traditional problems raised in the comparatively unfamiliar setting of social work and social service, and for social workers to see the place for philosophical reflection on what they are doing. Among the subjects discussed in the collection are discretion, rights, charity and the Welfare State, the morality of law and the politics of probation, authority and the social workers, and social work and ideology. The underlying theme of all the papers is the away in which philosophy can revive discussion of beliefs and values in social work. It also asks philosophers to intensify their treatment of concrete issues of social significance.

Originally published in 1983 Social Work Values is a sustained enquiry about the present situation of social work. It describes the treatment of social work values in the social work literature and in research, and pursues three distinct avenues towards an improvement on the present unsatisfactory treatment. First, the book introduces and encourages more philosophical reflection on the customary ‘lists’ of social work values. Second, it investigates three social work controversies: between the Charity Organisation Society and ‘the Socialists’; between the Functionalist and the Diagnostic schools of social work; and between ‘radical’ Marxists and ‘the rest’. Third, and finally it explores the treatment of ‘value’ and ‘values’ in economics, sociology, ordinary usage, and philosophy, in order to establish the distinctive elements to which the term ‘values’ is applied.

Originally published in 1983 Social Work Values is a sustained enquiry about the present situation of social work. It describes the treatment of social work values in the social work literature and in research, and pursues three distinct avenues towards an improvement on the present unsatisfactory treatment. First, the book introduces and encourages more philosophical reflection on the customary ‘lists’ of social work values. Second, it investigates three social work controversies: between the Charity Organisation Society and ‘the Socialists’; between the Functionalist and the Diagnostic schools of social work; and between ‘radical’ Marxists and ‘the rest’. Third, and finally it explores the treatment of ‘value’ and ‘values’ in economics, sociology, ordinary usage, and philosophy, in order to establish the distinctive elements to which the term ‘values’ is applied.