This bestselling book takes the student step-by-step through the core processes of social work. It introduces four essential elements (assessment, planning intervention and review) in a clear manner, and is structured in a chronological way that is easy to understand yet holistic in approach. The authors use Assessment as a lynchpin for the book and use various assessment tools (some of which they have developed themselves) to illustrate the links between theory and practice. An essential introduction to the fundamental principles of social work practice, this title has been fully-revised to link directly to the Professional Capabilities Framework for Social Work.

Key updates:
  • New Material on Personalisation Agenda
  • Greater emphasis on social work in the community
  • More research material on working with children
  • Updated case studies throughout

    Part of the Transforming Social Work Practice series. All books in the series are affordable, mapped to the Social Work Curriculum, practical with clear links between theory & practice and written to the Professional Capabilities Framework.
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    Social workers, whatever their specialism, practise with people at the margins of society. It is therefore essential that all social work students not only understand the powers and processes that lead to disadvantage and marginalisation but develop the knowledge and skills needed to bring about change and uphold social justice in all aspects of their professional practice. Split into three parts, this book considers what is meant by disadvantage and marginalisation, how this can come about and the impact this may have on lives, before unpicking the key knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively with individuals and groups. It then goes on to show what good ethical and reflective practice looks like, going step-by-step through the ins and outs of using the law and policy to bring about change before considering key ethical dilemmas in practice.


    This reflective reader complements 'Social Work Practice: Assessment, Planning, Intervention and Review' by bringing together key readings in systematic social work processes and exploring how they interact to bring about effective practice. Its range of seminal and contemporary social work readings looks at issues such as how practice can be made effective and ethical, and how it can respond to the many changes facing social workers today. Further, it demonstrates how the National Occupational Standards for Social Work can be achieved, and encourages social work and social care students to reflect on their developing understanding of effective practice.

    The Department of Health requires students on the social work degree to undertake at least 200 days in direct practice learning during their course. Practice learning often raises great anxieties for students, agencies and those who supervise and assess it. This book tackles those anxieties, explaining the ways the experience can deliver a unique learning opportunity for the student. It is ideal for students undertaking or about to undertake practice learning, student supervisors and practice assessors, as well as trainers and policymakers within social care agencies and health care professions where practice learning is also undertaken.