Scotland has changed, politically and culturally, in recent years, with persistent demands for independence culminating in a referendum in 2014. On this fluid political landscape, social welfare can be co-opted towards a wider ‘nation-building’ project. As a result, social work in Scotland is increasingly divergent from the rest of the UK. This book offers a comprehensive, critical and timely account of the profession in these changing times, charting its historical development, current practice and future directions. Bringing together a range of academic and practice experts, it considers social work as it is currently but also as it might be. Divided into three parts, the first part sets a context, identifying historical, philosophical, policy and legal influences on current practice. The second part picks up on current themes in policy and practice, addressing key issues of professional identity in an increasingly integrated policy context. The final part contains chapters on current domains of practice, identifying key areas of legislation, policy and practice. Social Work in a Changing Scotland is essential reading for social work students, offering an accessible yet critical overview of the profession. It will also inform current practitioners to understand better the changing contexts within which they practise, while prompting further academic debate about Scottish social work.

Effective social work practice relies on good understanding of the law along with the skills to use this knowledge well. This essential book provides a wide-ranging thematic account of social work practice in Scotland, making critical links between concepts, the contexts of practice and first-hand experiences of Scottish social work law. The book covers important subjects such as: - Service user and carer rights - Legal and social work values - Accountability - Effective assessment - Safeguarding, risk and protection - Youth and adult criminal justice - Partnership, participation and advocacy - Delivery of personalised services Social Work and the Law in Scotland is core reading for all those undertaking academic study or professional practice within the field. It is also a key resource for anyone looking to update their knowledge on the nature and development of the ever-evolving legislative landscape of Scotland. New to this Edition: - Fully updated to incorporate changes to Scottish law impacting on groups of people who are at risk and personal and community care - Combines fully updated chapters by some of the original authors with newly commissioned pieces - Reflects the pace of change in the law since the previous edition

The 21st Century Social Work Review was commissioned in 2004, with its overall aim being to take a fundamental look at all aspects of social work in order to strengthen its contribution to the delivery of integrated services. This is a report of the findings.

This revised second edition analyses social policy in Scotland since devolution in 1999 and reflects the nascent and distinctively Scottish policy agenda. Along with updated chapters, there are two new inclusions: a chapter analysing post-devolution Scotland and a chapter on the likely impacts of Brexit on and within Scotland. Providing diagrams, tables and a range of activities, the book maintains an innovative and pedagogic emphasis to introduce students to a wealth of materials, ideas and practical responses to the increasingly complex and diverse situations faced by social workers and other professionals. Part 1 of the book looks at what social policy is, how and why it is made and highlights the importance of the relationship between social policy and the law. Part 2 refers to specific themes of social exclusion, poverty and (more visible for this revised edition) austerity, considering their complex and multidimensional forms and discussing the range of policies currently extant that aim to combat such disadvantage. Part 3 provides a comprehensive overview of policy for practice, considering concepts of health inequality, mental health, older people, disability, children and families, education, substance use, criminal justice, asylum and immigration and homelessness. This book will be of interest to undergraduate and postgraduate students as well as post-qualified professionals seeking to understand the complexities of the social policy landscape in Scotland, and its influence on social work and related forms of professional practice.

Social work is under unprecedented pressure as a result of funding cuts, political interventions, marketisation and welfare transformations which, combined, are dramatically reshaping the relationship between individuals and the welfare state. A wide-range of distinguished academics provide a comprehensive analysis of the evolving challenges facing contemporary social work, reflecting on both the existential and ideological threats to the profession. As well as the chief practice areas of child protection, adult care and mental health, contributors also examine practice issues surrounding older people, neo-liberalism, neo-eugenics and the refugee crisis This book offers concrete policy proposals for the future of the profession alongside valuable solutions which students and practitioners can action on the ground.

Social Policy for Social Work provides a comprehensive, critical and engaging introduction to social policy for students and practitioners of social work. The text is clearly structured into three parts that cover contexts, policies and issues. The first part explores changing perspectives on social policy and social work and provides an introduction to the broad range of specific policy aspects discussed in part two which include: social security health and community care family and child care criminal justice. Part three focuses on key issues such as tackling divisions and inequalities, the control of services including empowering people receiving services, and future policy trends. Additionally, appendices provide a key to common abbreviations, dates of the main legislation and internet addresses of main information sources on policy and research. Illustrations from practice are included throughout to highlight implications for social work practice. The text focuses on contemporary Britain but also draws examples from European, global and historical contexts wherever appropriate. This exceptional text demonstrates clearly the relevance and implications of social policy for social work practice. It is an essential and practical resource for all students and practitioners in the welfare field.

This updated edition enables students to develop a broader understanding of social work with children and families in Scotland. It uses practical examples, case studies and a critical appreciation of the legislation to reinforce learning. In many ways Scotland has led the way in legal and policy direction for social care and this edition is fully updated to reflect recent key changes.

Help your students make the best starts in their careers as a Social Worker. Covering everything they need to know in their first year and beyond, this very practical book will guide them through their degree and into practice. Packed full of case studies, activities and tools for real-life practice, it will: Help students get to grips with and build the essential knowledge and skills base Support them to develop a range of tools for practice with different service user groups Develop their critical thinking and help them to apply their learning in practice Provide them with a springboard for further learning and development.

Social Work Law in Scotland provides a practical guide to the legal framework within which social work operates. Providing accessible explanations of law, the book provides coverage of key areas of law in social work including those relating to children, families and adult services. Social Work Law in Scotland is designed for use by students studying for a degree in social work as well as those in the profession.

This new edition of Mental Health Social Work in Context continues to be an authoritative, evidence-based introduction to a core area of the social work curriculum. Grounded in the social models of mental health particularly relevant to qualifying social workers, but also intended to familiarise 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; and • working with people with mental health problems across the life course. Including new material on proposed reforms to mental health and mental capacity legislation, this book also contains major revisions that focus on the statutory and policy contexts of social work practice as well as ongoing changes in the organisational frameworks for the delivery of services and implications for the social work role. This fully updated third edition is an essential textbook for all social work students taking undergraduate and postgraduate qualifying degrees, and it will also be invaluable for practitioners undertaking post-qualifying awards in mental health social work.