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
Contributors to this book
Preface
Guided tour
Acknowledgements
Introduction
Chapter 1 - Relationship-based and Reflective Approaches for Contemporary Social Work Practice
Chapter 2 - Modern Social Work in Context: Policy, Politics and Organisations
Chapter 3 - Contemporary Challenges : social work in the twenty-first century
Part One: Understanding social work
Chapter 4 - The Development of Social Work: Key Themes and Critical Debates
Chapter 5 - The values and politics of social work practice
Chapter 6 - Social Work Knowledge and Practice
Chapter 7 - Human Development through the Lifespan
Chapter 8 - Law and Social Work
Chapter 9 - Understanding and using research in social work practice
Part Two: Practice skills and practice theories
Chapter 10 - Assessment in Social Work Practice
Chapter 11 - Communication Skills
Chapter 12 - Planning and Intervening
Chapter 13 - Inter-professional Working
Chapter 14 - User Involvement
Chapter 15 - Informal family carers
Part Three: Social work in relationship-based practice with user groups
Chapter 16 - Social Work with children and families
Chapter 17 - Social Work with Adults: policy and practice
Chapter 18 - Social Work With Young Offenders
Chapter 19 - Social Work with Disabled Children and Adults
Chapter 20 - Social Work with adults with mental health problems
Chapter 21 - Social Work and Drug Use
Chapter 22 - Social Work with Vulnerable Older People
Bibliography
glossary
Index
