Social Work: An Introduction to Contemporary Practice

✍ Scribed by Prof Kate Wilson, Dr Gillian Ruch, Dr Mark Lymbery, Prof Andrew Cooper

• Publisher: Longman
• Year: 2011
• Tongue: English
• Leaves: 761
• Edition: 2
• Category: Library

✦ Synopsis

Social Work: An introduction to contemporary practice has quickly established itself as a leading and uniquely comprehensive introduction to the field. Essential knowledge and skills are examined with authority and depth, and key debates approached in an accessible, informative and engaging way. Underpinned by research and advice to make close illustrative links with practice, it stimulates interest and actively engages the reader.

Richly supported throughout with examples and real-life case scenarios, the text encourages the reader to adopt a critical and reflective approach. Furthermore, believing that social work exists to help people through complex and painful transitions in life, the authors set the relationship at the heart of social work practice.

This text is essential reading for social work students on undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes, newly qualified social workers and practitioners in a variety of settings

✦ Table of Contents

Cover
Social Work
Brief contents
Introduction
1 Relationship-based and reflective approaches for contemporary social work practice
2 Modern social work in context: policy, politics and organisations
3 Contemporary challenges: social work in the twenty-first century
Part One Understanding social work
4 The development of social work: key themes and critical debates
5 The values and politics of social work practice
6 Social work knowledge and practice
7 Human development through the lifespan
8 Law and social work
9 Understanding and using research in social work practice
Part Two Practice skills and practice theories
10 Assessment in social work practice
11 Communication skills
12 Planning and intervening
13 Inter-professional working
14 User involvement
15 Informal family carers
Part Three Social work in relationship-based practice with user groups
16 Social work with children and families
17 Social work with adults: policy and practice
18 Social work with young offenders
19 Social work with disabled children and adults
20 Social work with adults with mental health problems
21 Social work and drug use
22 Social work with vulnerable older people
Bibliography
Glossary
Index