Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care, Third Edition: Knowledge and Theory

This fully updated and expanded third edition of a classic text provides a comprehensive introduction to key theory, knowledge, research and evidence relating to practice learning in social work and social care. It outlines the theories that underpin social care practice, the main assessment models and interventions, and also offers guidance on the effective implementation of assessment across a range of professional contexts. Contributors from research, policy-making and practice backgrounds offer guidance on how to apply policy and research findings in everyday practice while ensuring that the complex needs of each individual service user are met. This third edition also features new chapters on group work, social pedagogy and personalisation. The Handbook for Practice Learning in Social Work and Social Care is an essential resource for ensuring effective evidence-based practice which will be valued by students, educators and practitioners alike.

About the Author :
Brigid Daniel is Professor of Social Work at the University of Stirling. She is the co-author of a number of books on child care and protection and has a particular interest in factors that help children to cope with adversity. She was a member of the multi-disciplinary team that carried out a national ministerial review of child protection practice in Scotland. Steven Walker is Head of Child and Adolescent Mental Health at Anglia Ruskin University, UK. He is a registered social worker and psychotherapist and has worked in social care for over 30 years, specialising in child protection and child and adolescent mental health.

Review :
The book is an excellent summary of the knowledge, skills and theories which are required for social work students and educators it is a valuable text that I will recommend practice educators use with students on placement. It is being also considered for adoption for students entering social work placements also. The revised and updated version of this widely respected book will continue to be an invaluable resource for students and practitioners alike. It addresses core curriculum and practice themes in an accessible and engaging format. A welcome addition to the bookshelf or library. The text was very detailed, covered all relevant topics and I will find it very beneficial for my theory subjects, as well as my future and current placements... I think this is a great text book and very useful for any student studying social work. This book has to be the compulsory text for anyone involved in social work practice learning or, indeed, anyone interested in social work education and training. The book has structure and clarity but, perhaps most importantly, relevancy. It brings together work from a range of authors and considers key issues pertinent to practice learning from legislation (incorporating all geographical areas of the UK) through to the role of research and evaluation. Theory, values, reflection are additional concepts that must be considered in social work practice and this book not only explains the 'what is it?' but also answers the questions 'but why do we do it?' and 'how do we do it?'. This book merits being the core text of practice learning in social work and thereafter in the 'tool-box' of all qualified practitioners. This book will be a helpful tool for new social work practitioners and students, as well as being a good refresher for practice educators. It offers a historical, political and social context to developing practice in social work and makes clear links with theory, research policy, legislation and principles of social work practice. It's an enjoyable read, with useful chapters on psychodynamic theory; assessment and risk; and professional analysis, which I find many students struggle with. This book, as with the previous edition, represents excellent value for students from the beginning of their social work education through to their assessed year in employment. Given the range of core and specialist topics covered, students will find chapters that are relevant whatever practice context they find themselves in while on placement, as well as across their taught social work curriculum. It will equip students to engage in critically reflective learning and evidence informed practice. The writing style is consistently accessible and strikes a balance between clarity of explanation and depth of analysis. By signposting students to the most relevant further reading it manages to achieve both breadth and depth in one accessible volume, combining brevity with thorough coverage of the topics. This highly recommended handbook has been helpfully updated to reflect recent developments in social work practice and education. It is helpfully sectioned and draws together the many and varied strands of knowledge required for practice at micro and macro levels. This should be a core text for students, supervisors and educators in both practice and higher education institutes.