The report of the Leader's Group examining the working practices of the House of Lords and the operation of self-regulation was published today (Tuesday 26 April). Recommendations in the report include changes to enable the Lords better to fulfil its core functions of scrutinising government, testing out and reviewing legislation, and debating important issues. The report also suggests ways in which the House of Lords could make the most of its unique strengths and resources, including its Members' skills and experience.

"Group work remains a vital intervention for a wide range of clients facing an array of personal, social, and environmental challenges. From groups for individuals with substance abuse problems or for children who have been abused to advocacy groups for parents of children with developmental disabilities and neighborhood associations that seek to improve the quality of life in the local community, groups are empowering to members at the individual and societal level"--

Group Work Leadership: An Introduction for Helpers presents an evidence-based approach to the theory and practice of group work. Renowned counselor, psychologist, and group work fellow Dr. Robert K. Conyne advances this unique and evolving service in a three-part, comprehensive overview of the skills necessary for trainees of counseling and other helping professionals to succeed in group settings. Section I covers the breadth and foundations of group work; best practice and ethical considerations; dynamics and processes in group work; and how groups tend to develop over time. Section II explores group work leadership styles, methods, techniques, and strategies, as well as both traditional and innovative group work theories. Section III examines the role of reflection in group practice, as well as selecting effective intervention strategies in various settings.

The Oxford Textbook of Palliative Social Work is a comprehensive, evidence-informed text that addresses the needs of professionals who provide interdisciplinary, culturally sensitive, biopsychosocial-spiritual care for patients and families living with life-threatening illness. Social workers from diverse settings will benefit from its international scope and wealth of patient and family narratives. Unique to this scholarly text is its emphasis on the collaborative nature inherent in palliative care. This definitive resource is edited by two leading palliative social work pioneers who bring together an array of international authors who provide clinicians, researchers, policy-makers, and academics with a broad range of content to enrich the guidelines recommended by the National Consensus Project for Quality Palliative Care.

“Building on extensive real-life experience with EBP, this expert team from University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics provides vital guidance to clinicians at the cutting edge of care improvement.” –Kathleen R. Stevens, EdD, MS, RN, ANEF, FAAN Castella Endowed Distinguished Professor School of Nursing and Institute for Integration of Medicine & Science (CTSA) University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio “This new edition is essential for all who want to deliver evidence-based care. Beautifully organized, it is readable, practical, and user-friendly.” –Kathleen C. Buckwalter, PhD, RN, FAAN Professor Emerita, University of Iowa College of Nursing Distinguished Nurse Scientist in Aging, Reynolds Center Oklahoma University Health Sciences Center, College of Nursing “Evidence-Based Practice in Action, Second Edition, will continue to ensure high-quality, evidence-based care is implemented in healthcare systems across the country — and the world. It should also be a well-worn tool in every implementation scientist’s toolkit. –Heather Schacht Reisinger, PhD Professor, Department of Internal Medicine Associate Director for Engagement, Integration and Implementation Institute for Clinical and Translational Science, University of Iowa Translate knowledge, research, and clinical expertise into action. The biggest barrier to effective evidence-based practice (EBP) is the failure to effectively translate available knowledge, research, and clinical expertise into action. This failure is rarely due to lack of information, understanding, or experience. In fact, it usually comes down to a simple lack of tools and absence of a clear plan to integrate EBP into care. Problem solved: Evidence-Based Practice in Action, Second Edition, is a time-tested, application-oriented EBP resource for any EBP process model and is organized based on The Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care. This book offers a proven, detailed plan to help nurses and healthcare professionals promote and achieve EBP implementation, adoption, sustained use. TABLE OF CONTENTS Chapter 1: Identify Triggering Issues/Opportunities Chapter 2: State the Question or Purpose Chapter 3: Is This Topic a Priority? Chapter 4: Form a Team Chapter 5: Assemble, Appraise, and Synthesize Body of Evidence Chapter 6: Is There Sufficient Evidence? Chapter 7: Design and Pilot the Practice Change Chapter 8: Evaluation Chapter 9: Implementation Chapter 10: Is Change Appropriate for Adoption in Practice? Chapter 11: Integrate and Sustain the Practice Change Chapter 12: Disseminate Results Appendix A: The Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care Appendix B: Iowa Implementation for Sustainability Framework Appendix C: Select Evidence-Based Practice Models Appendix D: Glossary

The overriding theme of Group Work: Processes and Applications is a focus on the specialized group work that counselors perform from a systemic perspective in a multicultural context. This text briefly covers traditional theoretical approaches, focusing more on the techniques and applications of the approaches, but the core of the text involves the systemic approach to group work: preparing group leaders to facilitate the systemic group process, from planning the group through the four stages of group work: forming and orienting, transition, working, and termination. The content is aligned with 2016 CACREP standards. Numerous other techniques, covered, are linked with specific theoretical orientations. PowerPoints and Instructor’s manual are on the way and should be available in the next 2-3 months.

The Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy is a comprehensive reference guide for group practitioners and researchers alike. Each chapter reviews the literature and current research as well as suggestions for practice in the psycho educational arena, counselling, and therapy groups. The Handbook encourages the notion that the field is improved through increased collaboration between researchers and practitioners. Through a review of cutting-edge research and practice, the Handbook includes } 48 articles by renowned experts in group work } the history and theory of group work } topics across the lifespan } an entire section on multicultural issues } a variety of clinical problems and settings } appendices include the Association for Specialists in Group Work Training Standards, Best Practice Standards, and Principles for Diversity-Competent Group Workers The Handbook is divided into seven sections: Current and Historical Perspectives on the Field of Group Counselling and Psychotherapy, reviews and analyzes the many contributions and contributors that have made group counselling and psychotherapy a vital and potent treatment method. The chapter outlines review articles spanning four decades, and outlines the evolution of group themes over the last 100 years. Best Practices in Group Counselling and Psychotherapy uses research, theory, and group counseling experience to provide group leaders and researches with the most current and best practices in conducting group counseling and psychotherapy. Multicultural Groups follows the ASGW Principles for Diversity-Competent Group Workers and is intended to provide group leaders with essential information about different cultural groups and their world views, perceptions of groups, naturalistic healing methods, suggested group interventions, and implications for groups. Chapters cover Native-Americans, Latinos, Asians, and African-Americans, disabled persons, and gender and sexuality. Groups Across Settings includes examples of psycho-educational, counseling, and psychotherapy groups in a variety of settings. This section presents readers with theoretical and empirical support for group work in such settings as the Veterans Administration system, university counselling centers, and more. Groups Across the Lifespan consist of chapters across many age groups. For children and adolescents, cognitive and developmental issues are addressed. For adults, socialization and interpersonal issues are addressed, including separate chapters for male and female groups. Finally, a chapter on the elderly deals with cognitive, health, and life review issues. Special Topics Groups presents a continuum of different types of groups used to treat people with interpersonal and developmental issues, such as grief, substance abuse, depression, and others. Each chapter in this section provides definitions and descriptions of the issues along with theoretical and empirical support. Finally, Critical Issues and Emerging Topics attempts to reflect the zeitgeist and provide a glimpse into group interventions for the future. Emerging issues, such as online groups, prevention groups, and peer-led mutual help groups receive careful attention and analysis. The Handbook of Group Counseling and Psychotherapy, the first reference devoted to this emerging and rapidly growing field, is essential for academics, researchers, professionals, and librarians serving the group therapy community. There is no similar reference available, and it will prove a landmark volume for years to come.