A Textbook of Social Work

A Textbook of Social Work is a comprehensive, evidence-based guide to social work practice. It strikes a balance between the need for social workers to understand the social, economic, cultural, psychological and interpersonal factors which give rise to clientsa?? problems, and the need for them to know how best to respond with practical measures. Divided into three accessible parts, the text covers context and theory in the first part and social work skills and methods in the second part. The final part looks at the major specialisms, including, among others, chapters on: children people with mental health problems older people chronic illness and physical disability learning disability juvenile and adult offenders substance misusers. Packed full with case studies, further reading and information on up-to-date legislation and service guidelines,this is a invaluable guide to the main activities of social workers and social work students, as well as a valuable resource for practitioners and academics.

Brian Sheldon is Emeritus Professor of Applied Social Research at the University of Exeter, UK Geraldine Macdonald is Professor of Social Work and Director of the Institute of Child Care Research at Queen's University Belfast, UK