Social Work In Rural Australia

Social work practice in a country town or small remote community several hours' drive from the nearest centre is very different from practice in the city. Social Work in Rural Australia offers an introduction to the challenges and rewards of professional practice in rural and remote areas. The authors explore the practical implications for social workers in non-urban regions, including teamwork with professionals from other fields, working with various sub-groups in communities and across distance with other social work colleagues, the diversity of rural livelihoods and lifestyles, and increasingly pressing environmental issues. Social work theories and case studies demonstrate how enabling practice can promote clients' and communities' ability to deal with some of the challenges of housing, youth unemployment, child protection, ageing, mental health, disability and the obstacles faced by Indigenous, migrant and refugee populations, in specific geographical settings. Social Work in Rural Australia encourages students and practitioners towards a holistic and contextual engagement with rural communities in current and newly developing fields of social work practice. 'This accessible text integrates the theory and practice of social work in often overlooked rural and remote regions. The case studies offer students and practitioners practical insights and celebrate rural practice as both unique and enriching.' - Alana Johnson, 2010 Victorian Winner RIRDC Rural Women's Award, Family Therapist and Social Worker

This book gives voice to the direct practice experience of social workers working in rural and remote contexts using Australia as the primary case-study. The authors undertake a qualitative research project, conducting in-depth interviews to examine social work theory and practice against the reality of rural and remote contexts. Practice examples provide the reader with an insight into the diverse and complex nature of social work in rural and remote Australia and the role of contemporary social work. Through placing rural and remote social work in its historical, theoretical and geographical contexts, this work explores a range of considerations. These include isolation; ethical dilemmas when working with small and closely linked communities; climate, disaster relief and the environment; community identity and culture; working with indigenous communities in remote contexts; and social work education. Based on direct practice research, this book challenges existing theories of practice and reframes those to reflect the reality of practice in rural and remote communities. As social work must continue to critically reflect on its role within an ever changing and individualistic society, lessons from rural and remote settings around engagement, sense of place and skillful, innovative practice have never been more relevant.

This book addresses the challenge of providing good social care to the more than 6 million people who live in rural Australia, some in very remote locations. It emphasises the importance of a developmental approach which stresses proper planning, evidence-based policy, and the influence which practitioners can have. The first part of the book explains the processes for developing, implementing, and evaluating policies and social plans, including achieving impact through networking, formal consultations, community development, and lobbying. Part two of the book looks at types of social care and the challenges each present. The types of social care include community-embedded; specialised; statutory; and visiting. The authors devote specific attention to Indigenous communities and, through case studies, provide examples of social care programs in action. The authors have more than 40 years combined experience in rural social work and community development.

In much of the West the concerns of rural people are marginalised and rural issues neglected. This stimulating book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging field of practice. It incorporates research from different disciplines and places to provide an accessible and comprehensive introduction to rural practice. The first part of the book focuses upon the experience of rurality. The second part of the book turns to the development of rural practice, reviewing different ways of working from casework through to community development. This book is relevant to planners, managers and practitioners not only in social work but also in other welfare services such as health and youth work, who are likely to face similar challenges.

Rural social work practice is both challenging and exciting. In order to assist communities to live well socially, ecologically and in economically sustainable ways, students and practitioners must critically engage with and be proactive in addressing the ever-changing conditions of those living in rural and remote areas.

First published in 1998, this volume explores the Australian welfare system in the 1980s through the lens of being ‘bushed’: lost, tired, confused and don’t know which way to go. Numerous key factors have hindered the development of Australia’s welfare system along with the ability of rural Australians to access formal welfare services which have frequently been inappropriate to their needs and lifestyles. These include a fragmented and centralised policy and service system for decision making, information, control and accountability, a highly professionalised welfare workforce and a ‘provision’ approach to social care built on the assumption that it is best provided by a network of formal services which are largely disconnected from natural sources of support.

This handbook provides a comprehensive overview of social work supervision internationally and presents an analytical review of social work supervision theory, practice, and research. Presented in seven parts: International perspectives Supervision settings Roles, responsibilities, and relationships Models and approaches The interactional process Leading and managing supervision Emerging areas The book examines how supervision contributes to the well-being, development, and practice of social workers. It also sets the agenda for the future development of social work supervision internationally. Social work supervision is examined across countries, practice settings, and in terms of participants' roles, relationships, and responsibilities. Contributors show how and why social work supervision is integral to social work and the rich diversity of ways supervision can be practiced. Bringing together an international team of social work supervision scholars, researchers, supervisors, and practitioners, this handbook is essential reading for social workers, supervisors, managers, policy advisors, and professional leaders.