Social Work: Contexts and Practice is a comprehensive introduction to the field of social work. Now in its third edition, it continues to speak to both Australia and Aotearoa, addressing common trans-Tasman concerns while at the same time responding to the unique experiences of social work within each country. The book is divided into three broad sections: Part 1 explores the context of practice and the broad-ranging influences that shape the profession, particularly its vision and development; Part 2 then considers the diverse fields of practice in which social workers find employment; and Part 3 looks at the professional developments that both support and challenge social workers.

Social Work: Context and Practice is a comprehensive text that introduces students to the theory and practice of social work. A variety of social work environments are explored with the fields of practice covered by the book including work with the elderly, child protection, mental health anddrugs and alcohol, and community development. With an emphasis on cultural practice and field skill development, this text will be useful throughout student s entire degree and into their professional lives.

Social work knowledge, theory and practice -- Frameworks, models and practice -- Ecosystems theories -- Onion-peeling theories -- Faulty-engine theories -- Story-telling theories -- Mountain-moving theories -- Reflective practice and theory.

Social work is a human profession founded on social justice. It is difficult, however, to negotiate this in the constantly changing context of the 21st century. Drawing on her own experiences and the experiences of others, Jan Fook returns to address the critical tradition of social work, supporting students in their understanding of the possibilities of critical practices in changing contexts. Part One: Critical Potential and Current Challenges sets the historical and current contexts for critical social work, introducing students to what critical social work is and what it means for practice. Part Two: Rethinking Ideas unpicks the major concepts associated with critical social work, including knowledge, power, discourse, identity, and difference, and how these need to be rethought in new contexts. Part Three: Redeveloping Practices illustrates how these new ideas can inform new practices, proving students with all the tools you need to deliver flexible, responsible and responsive social work practice. Celebrating the ageless ideals of the profession, this book throws a life belt to all social work students and professionals looking to engage with the critical tradition of social work to improve their understanding and practice. Jan Fook is Visiting Professor of Professional Practice Research, Royal Holloway, University of London and Chair in Education (Critical Reflection), Kingston University and St Georges, University of London

This new edition of Mental Health Social Work in Context continues to be an authoritative, evidence based introduction to an area of specialism chosen by many social work students. Grounded in the social models of mental health particularly relevant to qualifying social workers, but also familiarising students with social aspects of medical perspectives, this core text helps to prepare students for practice and to develop their knowledge around: promoting the social inclusion of people with mental health problems the changing context of multidisciplinary mental health services an integrated evidence base for practice working with people with mental health problems across the life course. In this new edition the author has reflected on the impact of the global recession and austerity policies, both on the mental health of the population but also the much sharper conditions and reduced services within which social workers are now operating. This fully updated 2nd edition is an essential textbook for all social work students taking undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying degrees, and will also be invaluable for practitioners undertaking post-qualifying awards in mental health social work.

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"This third edition is substantially revised and updated. It offers extended coverage of many new areas of debate, including evidence-based practice, social construction, attachment theory and cultural diversity. It also incor807porates a variety of innovative devices to support learning - whether in the classroom, the workplace, or while undertaking independent study." "Students, practitioners and lecturers alike will find this third edition a vital investment and an invaluable companion." --Book Jacket.

Originally published in 1980, this seminal work was the first to introduce an ecological perspective into social work practice. The third edition expands and deepens this perspective, further developing the basic premise that, by being situated within the people:environment interface, the social work profession is distinct from other service professions. The book presents the "what" (theories and concepts) and the "how" (practice methods) to help people with their life stressors and, simultaneously, to influence communities, organizations, and policymakers to be more responsive to them. In this edition, Gitterman and Germain examine major changes to our socioeconomic and political landscape. They restore a chapter on the history of social work practice, offering a view of the limited services for African Americans provided by settlements and charity organization societies. Building on the African American self-help and mutual aid traditions, this chapter traces the replication of a parallel social service system by African American leaders for their own communities. The chapter also addresses the impact of contemporary societal trends, including the global economy, immigration, cultural changes, and the technology revolution. In addition, it discusses current professional contexts of managed mental health care, evidence-based practice, and the professional uses of technology. A new chapter explores issues and processes embedded in assessment, practice monitoring, and practice evaluation. The volume continues to feature innovative schema for assessment and intervention with respect to stressful life transitions and traumatic events, environmental pressures, and dysfunctional interpersonal processes. Practice illustrations offer reflections of today's major social issues, such as AIDS, homelessness, and modern forms of violence.

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.