Social Work in Theory and Practice – serie

This comprehensive textbook provides an engaging and accessible guide to working with young people in a range of social work settings. It places clear emphasis on the development of key skills, but doesn’t shy away from important theories and evidence. The book explains why taking a usercentred approach is important, and highlights ways in which this can be put into practice. Chapter by chapter, the book introduces the reader to the challenges and potential of working with a range of groups, such as offenders, young people with disabilities, teenage parents, and young asylum seekers and refugees. The book explains clearly the current policies and organizational frameworks which shape social work practice. At the same time, it recognizes that effective social work practice is about much more than simply meeting guidelines, and gets to grips with the day-today realities of working with young people.Throughout, case studies are used to encourage readers to reflect on the people and situations they might encounter. In addition, each chapter includes an easy-to-follow summary, questions and annotated suggestions for additional reading – all written with the aim of stimulating readers’ professional development.Social Work with Young People will be essential reading for social work students at undergraduate, postgraduate and post-qualifying level. It will also appeal to anyone who cares about developing a social work practice agenda with young people which is rooted in the principles of social justice.

This comprehensive textbook provides an engaging and accessible guide to working with young people in a range of social work settings. It places clear emphasis on the development of key skills, but doesn’t shy away from important theories and evidence. The book explains why taking a usercentred approach is important, and highlights ways in which this can be put into practice. Chapter by chapter, the book introduces the reader to the challenges and potential of working with a range of groups, such as offenders, young people with disabilities, teenage parents, and young asylum seekers and refugees. The book explains clearly the current policies and organizational frameworks which shape social work practice. At the same time, it recognizes that effective social work practice is about much more than simply meeting guidelines, and gets to grips with the day-today realities of working with young people.Throughout, case studies are used to encourage readers to reflect on the people and situations they might encounter. In addition, each chapter includes an easy-to-follow summary, questions and annotated suggestions for additional reading – all written with the aim of stimulating readers’ professional development.Social Work with Young People will be essential reading for social work students at undergraduate, postgraduate and post-qualifying level. It will also appeal to anyone who cares about developing a social work practice agenda with young people which is rooted in the principles of social justice.

Social Work with Older People provides an authoritative and practical guide to working with older people in a range of settings. It addresses the complexities of individual work with older people, as well as work with families, groups and the wider community, and is not afraid to tackle the challenges as well as opportunities of practice in this area. The book begins by explaining the demographic changes that have led to a ‘greying’ of the general population. It goes on to discuss the diversity in experiences of ageing across society, and the range of issues which confront older people and those who wish to work proactively with them. Clear attention is paid to the processes of assessment, care planning and review, with readers encouraged to reflect on developing good practice through case studies and exercises. Although it has a strong practical emphasis, the book also stresses the value of theoretical perspectives, with insights from fields such as sociology and psychology woven throughout the book. Clear links are also made to policy guidelines and organizational standards, without losing sight of the deeper, often more complex, issues that arise when working with older people.Social Work with Older People will be essential reading for social work students and practitioners, but also for others who are interested in the development of practice with older people as citizens and service users.

Social Work with Older People provides an authoritative and practical guide to working with older people in a range of settings. It addresses the complexities of individual work with older people, as well as work with families, groups and the wider community, and is not afraid to tackle the challenges as well as opportunities of practice in this area. The book begins by explaining the demographic changes that have led to a ‘greying’ of the general population. It goes on to discuss the diversity in experiences of ageing across society, and the range of issues which confront older people and those who wish to work proactively with them. Clear attention is paid to the processes of assessment, care planning and review, with readers encouraged to reflect on developing good practice through case studies and exercises. Although it has a strong practical emphasis, the book also stresses the value of theoretical perspectives, with insights from fields such as sociology and psychology woven throughout the book. Clear links are also made to policy guidelines and organizational standards, without losing sight of the deeper, often more complex, issues that arise when working with older people.Social Work with Older People will be essential reading for social work students and practitioners, but also for others who are interested in the development of practice with older people as citizens and service users.

Social Work and Mental Health offers a fresh approach to addressing mental health issues across all aspects of social work practice, emphasising the relevance of mental health for all social workers, not just those in specialist mental health settings. The book provides critical engagement with the complexities of contemporary theory, policy and practice in this area, recognising developments in user and carer involvement and interprofessional working. Key chapters focus on issues of inequality and diversity, drawing attention to the social determinants of health and the important contribution of social work in promoting social perspectives in mental health. Practice issues addressed include the mental health of children, young people and families, and older people, as well as a range of mental health conditions that are likely to be encountered. Promoting rights, recovery and social justice - and balancing these with considerations of risk - are core themes that run throughout the text. The book contains a number of practice examples and points for reflection intended to encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the issues raised. Suggestions for additional reading and resources are also offered at the end of each chapter. Overall the book provides a valuable framework for understanding and responding to mental health issues that will be useful for all social work students and practitioners as well as a wider audience.

Social Work and Mental Health offers a fresh approach to addressing mental health issues, emphasizing the relevance of mental health for all social workers, not just those in specialist mental health settings. The book engages critically with the complexities of contemporary theory, policy and practice, recognizing developments in user and carer involvement and interprofessional working. Key chapters focus on inequality and diversity, drawing attention to the social determinants of health and the important contribution of social work in promoting social perspectives. Practice issues include the mental health of children, young people and families, and older people. Promoting rights, recovery and social justice - and balancing these with considerations of risk - are core themes running through the text. The book contains a number of examples and points for reflection intended to encourage critical thinking and further exploration of the issues. Suggestions for additional reading and resources are offered at the end of each chapter. Overall the book provides a valuable framework for understanding and responding to mental health issues that will be useful for social work students and practitioners as well as a wider audience.

Social Work and Disability offers a contemporary and critical exploration of social work practice with people with physical and sensory impairments, an area that has previously been marginalized within both practice and academic literature. It explores how social work practice can, and indeed does, contribute to the promotion of disabled people’s rights and the securing of positive outcomes in their lives.The book begins by exploring the ways in which disability is understood and how this informs policy and practice. Opening with a thought-provoking account of the lived experience of a disabled person using social work services, it goes on to critically analyse theory, policy and contemporary legislative change. Inequality, oppression and diversity are the focus of the second section of the book, while the remainder offers an in-depth exploration of the social work practice issues in disability settings, notably work with children, adults and safeguarding. Service-user and carer perspectives, case profiles, reflective activities and suggestions for further reading are included throughout.Social Work and Disability will be essential reading for social work students and practitioners. It will also be of interest to service users and carers, students on health and social care courses, third-sector practitioners and advocates.

Social Work and Disability offers a contemporary and critical exploration of social work practice with people with physical and sensory impairments, an area that has previously been marginalized within both practice and academic literature. It explores how social work practice can, and indeed does, contribute to the promotion of disabled people’s rights and the securing of positive outcomes in their lives.The book begins by exploring the ways in which disability is understood and how this informs policy and practice. Opening with a thought-provoking account of the lived experience of a disabled person using social work services, it goes on to critically analyse theory, policy and contemporary legislative change. Inequality, oppression and diversity are the focus of the second section of the book, while the remainder offers an in-depth exploration of the social work practice issues in disability settings, notably work with children, adults and safeguarding. Service-user and carer perspectives, case profiles, reflective activities and suggestions for further reading are included throughout.Social Work and Disability will be essential reading for social work students and practitioners. It will also be of interest to service users and carers, students on health and social care courses, third-sector practitioners and advocates.

Family Support introduces and explores the state of the art in preventative social work with children and young people. Drawing on contemporary thinking and research, the book aims to make a contribution to current debates about how we can best support families in need.Underpinning the book is an analysis of how family support is changing, having moved from ‘prevention’ through to contemporary debates about ‘family support’, ‘early intervention’ and ‘early help’. The authors draw on their own practice experiences to ensure the discussion remains highly relevant to everyday realities.The book consists of three parts: Part I examines the history and context of family support; Part II outlines a number of practice approaches to family support; and Part III suggests how family support work can be further developed. The book provides ‘think points’ and case studies to support the reader in reflecting on the material presented and how this can be best applied, as well as including a guide to useful resources. Family Support will be a welcome companion for anyone involved in child welfare and safeguarding services, including students at undergraduate and post-graduate level, practitioners, policy makers and academics.