Exploring And Locating Social Work

This engaging and accessible introduction to social work encourages reflective learning in preparation for practice. Direct linking of key concepts to professional standards ensures that students are able to build up an understanding through context and reflective points, and with an emphasis on diversity, ideology, and preparing for practice, students will benefit from both practical and theoretical guidance. Sections are designed to work as both integrated and standalone resources and the flexible methodology will support a range of courses and learning techniques.

Exploring various aspects of social work from an anthropological perspective, this original book uses an ‘outsider’ position to develop a reflexive dialogue with social workers from England and elsewhere in Europe. Bell, an anthropologist, worked alongside social work educators and social workers for many years. She widens our insights into social work by offering thought-provoking examples suggesting how social work practitioners view their occupation and their practice, and how wider society views them. Blending research and personal reflection to critically examine social workers’ preoccupations and contributions to society, the author explores identities and definitions in social work, making this book refreshing reading for academics, researchers, students and practitioners.

This open access book addresses, for the first time, Islamic social work as an emerging concept at the interface of Islamic thought and social sciences. Applying a multidisciplinary approach it explores, on the one hand, the discourse that provides religious legitimisation to social work activities and, on the other hand, case studies of practical fields of Islamic social work including educational programmes, family counselling, and resettlement of prisoners. Although in many cases, these activities are oriented towards Muslim clients, more often than not they go beyond the boundaries of Muslim communities to benefit society as a whole. Muslim actors are also starting to professionalise their services and to negotiate the ways in which they can become fully recognised service-providers within the welfare state. At a more general level, the volume also shows that in contrast to the widespread processes of secularisation of social work and its separation from religious communities, new types of activities are now emerging, which bring back to the public arena both an increased sensitivity to the religious identities of the beneficiaries and the religious motivations of the benefactors. The edited volume will be of interest to researchers in Islamic Studies, Social and Political Sciences, Social Work, and Religious Studies. This is an open access book.

As a social worker, you must make sense of complex situations and determine the needs of various individuals. As star constellations offer a guide by which to navigate, social work theories offer ways to make sense of practice. Tackling the major theories used within social work, this book gives a concise and engaging overview of how practice is influenced by each approach described. The book outlines the origins and historical context of social work, which allows the reader to see how theoretical fashions have changed and adapted to certain times, and offers advice on the best way forward for the modern-day social worker. Packed with thought-provoking case studies and reflective questions on each topic, readers will be encouraged to question the theories outlined – a skill crucial to being a truly effective social work practitioner. The book is ideal for quick reference in lectures, on placement or in practice. Whether you're a student, a newly qualified social worker or a 'seasoned' professional, you will return to this indispensable text time and time again. A Brief Introduction to Social Work Theory is also available in audiobook format from audiobook retailers.

Sociological perspectives can be used to analyse societal and structural influences on human behaviour at individual, group and community levels. The authors link sociological concepts, debates and theories relating to key areas such as poverty, social exclusion, education, social class and social justice to develop your students′ understanding of how sociological perspectives will impact upon their social work placements and practice. This book begins by taking you step-by-step through the ins and outs of why sociology is important to social work. It explains the relevance of sociology to everyday social work practice, introducing you to the core sociological perspectives that you′ll need to get to grips with during your course, including functionalism, Marxism, symbolic interactionism and postmodernism. The book then moves on to explore various social issues in detail (i.e. poverty, social class, social exclusion, education, moral panics), with extended case studies, activities and links to skills in practice illustrating the many opportunities and challenges that each aspect brings to everyday practice. There are also important chapters on family, community and the role of sociology in social work training.

As a social work student or practitioner it is essential to be able to understand, recognize and critically reflect on your own emotions and those of others. Consciously or unconsciously, emotions play an integral role in day-to-day decision making, assessments and relationship building, and a lack of emotional awareness and understanding can result in poor practice and a failure to think critically. Practical and engaging, this book encourages you to consider the role of emotions in the light of your own experiences and practice contexts. Key topics include: Understanding what emotions are and how they apply to social work practice Recognizing and reflecting upon the emotional content of practice Incorporating emotions in reflective journals, reports, case notes, critical incident analysis and academic writing Understanding the conscious and unconscious emotions at play in your practice and how these can impact upon the development of positive relationships Enhancing understanding of self and the importance of resilience Understanding the role of emotions in supervision, support and reflection In addition, each chapter includes case studies, to make the link between theory and practice, reflective exercises to encourage the reader to consider the discussion from their own contexts and perspectives. There will also be key learning points to summarise the main ideas presented at the end of each chapter. This is an invaluable book for all social work students and early career practitioners aiming to boost their self-awareness and personal wellbeing, and ultimately improve their practice. “This is a timely publication that reinforces the centrality of emotions and emotional intelligence in social work practice – a must read for all aspiring and practising social workers.” Gillian Ruch, Professor of Social Work, School of Education and Social Work, University of Sussex, UK “What Understanding Emotions in Social Work does is cuts across all layers of the social work curriculum and indeed the “resistance and lethargy’’ regarding ‘’the role of emotions within social work practice” that Ingram refers to. It affords us with a medium through which to explore the substance of that which causes us to react and provides us with a space in which to learn more about what it means to respond; both to ourselves and to those we engage with. It is a book for anyone involved in professional social work education and practice; one that will become a well-thumbed addition to the discerning practitioner’s library. “ Amanda M L Taylor, Senior Lecturer, School of Social Work, University of Central Lancashire, UK “Understanding Emotions in Social Work: Theory, practice and reflection, highlights the importance of emotion in social work practice. Dr Richard Ingram clearly makes the case that the recognition of, reflection upon, responsiveness to, and regulation of emotion, contributes to effective social work practice, as well as, the development of healthy practitioners and practice environments. This book reinforces how social work is primarily a human interactive and relational practice in which emotion and affect have a pivotal role. I highly recommend Understanding Emotions in Social Work as an essential text for students, social workers, supervisors and managers.” Associate Professor Kieran O’Donoghue, Head of School of Social Work, Massey University, New Zealand "This is one of those books that you will keep on your desk and look back at time and time again. It is written in a very accessible style and is easily picked up. Dr. Ingram locates emotions within social work practice and guides the reader through a number of case study's and learning activities to explore this concept in-depth. This has been a very helpful text book during my final placement." Darren Gibson, Social Work Student, Dundee University, UK

`I can say without equivocation this text is without doubt the best book about social work I have read. Chris Beckett explores the purpose, values activities and theories of social work in an ever-changing social context that is clearly identified and examined' - Stephanie Petrie, University of Liverpool Every day social workers face decisions that will significantly impact others' lives, and it is essential that these practical assessments are supported by a sound understanding of social work theory. In this innovative and highly accessible textbook Chris Beckett explains how an understanding of these theoretical issues can improve the knowledge and skills base of professional practice. Essential Theory for Social Work Practice is an engaging and readable text, with a distinctively realistic and honest approach to the realities of everyday practice. Framed in a comprehensive and logical structure: - Part 1 establishes what social workers do and the tools they need - Part 2 considers how to assess, handle, and support change in others - Part 3 explores the wide range of roles that social workers must fulfil - Part 4 strengthens these links between theory and practice. Exercises, case examples, chapter summaries, and practice notes are used to great effect in each chapter, enabling students to apply theory to practice as they progress through the book. The book is an invaluable core text for all undergraduate social work students, and offers excellent support for practitioners in their every day practice.

This gateway text lays the foundations for a thorough knowledge of the theory and methods that social workers need. Pulling together the work of a team of experts, this book uses the innovative “theorizing practice” approach, rather than the traditional “applying theory to practice” approach, thereby providing a much more satisfactory basis for understanding the relationship between theory and practice and making it easier for practitioners to employ theory in practice. Part I sets the scene by examining the relationship between theory and practice, how research can be used to inform practice and the important role of policy and organizational factors. Part II provides 14 chapters, each exploring a different theoretical approach. All in all, this book provides the ideal introduction to using social work theory and methods in practice.