How does a social work student make the connection between sociological knowledge and day-to-day social work? Sociology for Social Workers and Probation Officers provides an introduction to sociological ideas and research and places them firmly into the context of actual social work practice. It encourages readers to develop critical awareness and reach their own judgements about the usefulness and implications of holding certain conceptual positions and shows how social work can be better informed and improved by doing so. Fully revised and updated throughout, this second edition examines sociology in relation to key areas of social work and probation practice, and includes one new chapter. Areas covered are: Family Childhood Youth Community Care and Caring Health and Illness Crime. Essential reading for all social work and probation studies students, this text looks beyond individual and psychological explanations and solutions to develop a sociological knowledge base for social work practice.

How can sociology contribute to positive social work practice? This introductory textbook uses pedagogical features such as chapter summaries, numerous examples, a glossary, activities and annotated further reading.

This major text addresses the relevance of sociological concepts to social work practice, arguing that lack of understanding of the ways in which social work fits into society's structures and is informed by its relationship with these can lead to impoverished social work practice. Written from an anti-racist, feminist perspective, it both argues for social workers to engage in empowering forms of practice and provides students, practitioners and educators with a new 'paradigm' to draw on.

How do sociologists explain the role and function of social work in society? How has sociological knowledge been used, adapted and misused by social workers? Originally published in 1991, The Sociology of Social Work includes chapters on sociological theory and social work, child protection, community care, probation interviews, family therapy, residential care, race, and knowledge and power.

A valuable reference to help practising researchers not only to understand but also to apply innovative approaches to social work research. Featuring extended case studies of actual research projects, the book provides an overview of a number of central features and qualities of social work research. It incorporates both distinctive methodological features, such as approaches to participatory inquiry, and provides accounts of researcher strategies to address particular challenges, such as carrying out studies with hard to reach populations. This book combines important methodological insights with pragmatic guidance on commonly experienced problems and how these challenges can be overcome. This is a key resource for social work and social care students, social work practitioners and academics engaged in research.

The Virgin 2012 Guide to British Universities is the only university guide to offer a uniquely students' eye view of what it's like to study at a particular university. As well as hard facts and practical information on every UK university - such as official ratings for teaching, statistics on where graduates end up and employment prospects by subject - the guide is also packed with useful information such as what the social scene is like, how much living costs are likely to be and what the student profile at a particular university is really like. With a comprehensive entry on every UK university, The Virgin Guide to British Universities contains all the information and advice potential undergraduates will need to choose the best university for them.

In the 1970s, social work in Britain was in crisis. A process of self-searching had begun, stimulated by changes in the organization of social services departments, by the growth of the radical movement in social work, and by the emergence of new techniques in social work. All this might have seemed a confusing and depressing prospect, but Professor Howard Jones, the editor of this collection of essays, originally published in 1975, felt on the contrary that this new situation in social work presented an opportunity for a potentially rewarding debate. He believed that the old unsatisfactory mould had been broken, and that it was now possible for the first time for many years to look at the basic issues in social work without preconceptions. The contributors to this book were all actively involved in the teaching and practice of social work at the time, and they came together to initiate a debate on the leading issues of the day. They were all concerned to find a right course for social work in this crucial period, and among the topics they cover are social work training, social workers and political action, community participation, and making use of research.

Social Theory, Social Change and Social Work has two inter-related themes. First to account for and analyse current changes in social work and secondly, to assess how far recent developments in social theory can contribute to their interpretation. Representing the work of a range of academics all involved in research and teaching in relation to social work, it considers issues of central significance to everyone interested in the theory, policy, and practice of social work.