Essential Theory for Social Work Practice

Essential Theory for Social Work Practice is an engaging and readable text, with a distinctively realistic and honest approach to the realities of everyday practice. In this innovative and highly accessible textbook, author Chris Beckett explains how a sound understanding of social work theory can improve the knowledge and skills base of professional practice.

Framed in a comprehensive and logical structure Part I establishes what social workers do and the tools they need; Part II considers how to assess, handle, and support change in others; Part III explores the wide range of roles that social workers must fulfill; and Part IV strengthens these links between theory and practice.

Exercises, case examples, chapter summaries, and practice notes are used to great effect in each chapter, enabling students to apply theory to practice as they progress through the book. Essential Theory for Social Work is an invaluable core text for all undergraduate social work students, and offers excellent support for practitioners in their every day practice.

Chris Beckett studied Psychology at Bristol University and qualified as a social worker at Bangor, North Wales, in 1980, going on to work for eighteen years as a social worker and social work manager, and then for fifteen years as a social work lecturer at Anglia Ruskin University and the University of East Anglia. He has had a parallel career for some time as a writer of fiction and is now a full-time writer. His novel, Dark Eden was the winner of the Arthur C. Clarke award for 2012.