Messy Social Work (Paperback)

Richard Devine

ISBN 10: 1805010069 / ISBN 13: 9781805010067

Published by Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London, 2025

About this Item

Paperback. Social work is a complex career - a hugely rewarding way to make a difference in people's lives, paired with an enormous responsibility to get it right. This (unofficial) guide, grounded in the author's decade-long experience on the front line of child protection, explores the intersection between these points and how to handle the challenges of the job while celebrating its joys.This isn't a tidy list of textbook situations and perfect solutions - there are mistakes of all shapes and sizes, there are consequences, and (most importantly) there are reflections on what went wrong and how to not do the same thing in your own practice. Case studies and vignettes look into the realities of child protection from both perspectives, and what happens when what should happen doesn't match with what does. A look into the realities of social work and child protection, based in the author's 10+ years of experience on the front line. From assessments and direct work to decision-making and removing children, this guide explores the challenges of working with children and families, and reflects on the essential value of celebrating the small successes. Shipping may be from our Sydney, NSW warehouse or from our UK or US warehouse, depending on stock availability.

Seller Inventory # 9781805010067

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Messy Social Work (Paperback)
• Publisher: Jessica Kingsley Publishers, London
• Publication Date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1805010069
• ISBN 13: 9781805010067
• Binding: Paperback
• Condition: new

About this title

Synopsis

Social work is a complex career - a hugely rewarding way to make a difference in people's lives, paired with an enormous responsibility to get it right. This (unofficial) guide, grounded in the author's decade-long experience on the front line of child protection, explores the intersection between these points and how to handle the challenges of the job while celebrating its joys.

This isn't a tidy list of textbook situations and perfect solutions - there are mistakes of all shapes and sizes, there are consequences, and (most importantly) there are reflections on what went wrong and how to not do the same thing in your own practice. Case studies and vignettes look into the realities of child protection from both perspectives, and what happens when what should happen doesn't match with what does.

About the Author

Richard Devine is a qualified social worker with over 10 years' experience, with an MSc in Attachment Studies, and is Visiting Researcher at Cambridge University.