The Art of Social Work Practice - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1905541309 ISBN 13: 9781905541300

Publisher: Russell House Publishing, 2008

Synopsis

The Art of Social Work Practice suggests that social work does not need to strip itself of subjectivity in order to appear credible by being 'objective' in its dealings with service users and other professions. The core principle of building and maintaining trusting professional relationships with service users is not incompatible with a (post-post-) modern, dynamic, effective profession, and should never be jettisoned for contractual encounters characterized by an arm's length approach. The Art of Social Work Practice explores the use of theory in social work and how theories enable practitioners to develop a deeper level of understanding of their practice. The book shows how potential dangers can be avoided by continually asking key questions about the worker and service users' relationship and the approach being adopted. It discusses preventative social work, assessment, communication, planning, decision making, user involvement, and working in partnership with other professionals. It will be of particular interest and benefit to practitioners, students, and academics who want to take a fresh look at familiar areas where social work has led the way and other professions have subsequently followed.

About this title

About the Author:

Dr Toyin Okitikpi was until recently a Principal Lecturer and Course Director in Social Work. Having started in residential care he qualified as a generic social worker and worked in the field for many years. His interest includes social work education; the importance of education in the lives of children and young people; refugee and asylum seeking children and their families; social integration and cohesion; working with children of mixed parentage; and interracial/multicultural families and their experiences. Currently he is a member of Aventure (a social welfare Consultancy group); a member of the Centre for Black Professional Practice at Brunel University; and a lay member on a number of Tribunals including: the General Medical Council's Fitness to Practice Panel; the Asylum and Immigration Tribunal; and the Mental Health Review Tribunal. He sits on the Bar Standard Board's Quality Assurance Committee and the Education and Training Committee. Cathy Aymer is a social work academic, working as a senior lecturer in the School of Health Sciences and Social Care at Brunel University, and is the Director for the Centre for Black Professional Practice. Her background is in work with children and families. Her research interests are black students in higher education and black professionals in welfare organisations; professional responses to refugees and asylum seekers; social work teaching and learning; anti-discriminatory practice in social welfare; the experiences of young black men and professional responses to them; diversity in organisations. Cathy has published work in these areas.

About this edition

• Publisher: Russell House Publishing
• Publication date: 2008
• ISBN 10: 1905541309
• ISBN 13: 9781905541300
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 146
• Editor: Okitikpi Toyin, Aymer Cathy