Social Work Models, Methods and Theories

Now more than ever, social workers face the crucial challenge of balancing the need to be effective and evidence-based, while seeking to promote more critical and emancipatory change. Against a backdrop of the global economic recession which has led to severe constraints on welfare spending, the deb [...]
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Now more than ever, social workers face the crucial challenge of balancing the need to be effective and evidence-based, while seeking to promote more critical and emancipatory change. Against a backdrop of the global economic recession which has led to severe constraints on welfare spending, the debate about what constitutes good social work practice has become highly contested. In the aftermath of the death of Peter Connelly, social work around the globe has found itself subject to intense media inquiry and political scrutiny. In England, this has resulted in the Social Work Reform Board (the government body appointed to review professional standards) devising a new professional capabilities framework. The framework includes requirements for social workers to have a good knowledge of the social sciences and practice theory, the capacity for critical reflection and analysis, and significantly, the skill to translate all of this into effective intervention. It is therefore vitally important to revisit the theoretical knowledge base underpinning practice, and to review and update a range of social work methods and models.Against this challenging backdrop the second edition of this best-selling text has taken shape. Social work models, methods and theories assists undergraduate, postgraduate and post-qualifying students, lecturers, practitioners, service users and carers, policy-makers - anyone who seeks to understand social work. Uniquely, it A A offers a systematic examination of different methods, models and practice theories by a range of respected academics and practitioners, several of them renowned world authorities A A sets these ideas in a clear and accessible framework of practice in changing political, economic and social contexts A A considers future developments in an international context influenced by themes such as critical social work, research minded practice and emerging political trends, not least the A eBig SocietyA f. Acclaimed when initially published in 2000, Social Work Models, Methods and Theories A gclaims and reclaims the terrain of social work practice as one in which competence must mean the ability to work with complexity, ambiguity and uncertainty; an essential message for our times.A h Child and Family Social Work.A gA vital antidote to the loss of credibility experienced by government and the dissonance experienced by practitioners on the front line.A h Community Care. Now thoroughly reviewed, updated and extended, it is A gan important contribution to the literatureA c the chapters are scholarly and accessible and will prove invaluable as both an introduction to the field and as a resource for the more experienced practitioner.A h Professor Nigel Parton, writing in the preface to the 2012 edition. By contextualizing current practice and organizational dilemmas, it aims to A A make a contribution, both to the education and training of social workers as well as to their continuing professional development A A create the conditions for critical thinking and critical reflection A A provide the basis for finding more creative solutions to societyA fs problems - solutions that balance effectiveness with a commitment to social justice. Drawing on the international literature a major strength of the book is the contextualising of social work methods, models and theories in a global setting.The exploration of core concepts and ideas by internationally acclaimed writers, thinkers and teachers will appeal to audiences across the globe. The book is designed to stimulate debate and critical reflection about social work, and how theory can enhance and enrich practice everywhere.