Social Work Theories In Context

This popular and innovative core text book explores contemporary social work theories and perspectives in a systematic way, using an integrated and flexible framework to link context, theory, and practice approaches. Healy expertly provides an applied guide to social work theory across a range of organisational contexts, showing social work as a diverse activity that is profoundly shaped by professional purpose, public policy, and practice locations. This is ideal reading to support and develop undergraduate and postgraduate students taking modules on Social Work Theories and Methods on qualifying professional programmes. Its international breadth and supportive pedagogical features have ensured the book's value to students of social work all over the world. New to this Edition: - A greater focus on service user perspectives - Coverage is extended to include solution focused therapy and empowerment theories as well as discussion of the evidence-based practice debate - Discussion of the use and limits of critical reflection in practice

This second edition includes material on mind, body and spirit social work, mindfulness, and enhanced content on Indigenous social work.

This innovative textbook provides a comprehensive guide to social work practice across a range of organizational contexts, presenting social work as a diverse activity that is profoundly shaped by public policies, service missions, and practice locations. A chief strength of the text is its integrated and flexible framework for practice which links context, theory, and practice approaches. It tackles the most current and topical theories and perspectives in a clear and systematic way.

Health services practice or working with clients facing health issues requires diverse approaches and wide-ranging knowledge. In this ground-breaking book Melissa Petrakis draws on the experience and expertise of leading researchers and practitioners to provide a guide to the disparate settings in which social workers are engaged and the conceptual frameworks and skills needed for effective practice. The book begins by examining the nature of health social work and considers its core values and principles. This section also provides an overview of the social determinants of health. Part 2 explores key areas of practice including working with children, mothers and families, hospital-based social work, domestic and family violence, mental health, dual diagnosis, forensic social work, Indigenous approaches to health, oncology and aged care. Part 3 looks at politicised issues in the field including working with people living with disability, refugee health and concludes by considering how a focus on well-being informed by Maori approaches could provide new insights into better practice. Underpinning the book throughout is a clear guide to assessment procedures, case management, strengths-based practices and developing effective partnerships and collaboration. Social Work Practice in Health is destined to become a key reference tool for social work students and practitioners, providing practical, evidence-based and insightful approaches.

Understanding how theory informs social work practice is an area that students can often find challenging. This book will help students understand how theory impacts and informs social work practice across a range of contexts and with different service user groups. It starts off by briefly setting the context, introducing students to the importance of social work theory and its development over the years, before moving on to look at different types of theory across 17 tightly structured chapters. These cover a range of psychological theories, sociological theories, ethics and moral philosophies, political theories and ideologies, and organisational theories.

Written in an accessible style, this title introduces theory as an explanatory framework that is drawn upon by the social worker to inform their decision-making process, by helping to 'make sense' of what is going on.