Analysing Community Work : Its Theory and Practice

'This book will be a welcome addition to the current literature. The author tackles issues of theory and practice in an accessible way and different models and perspectives are clearly set out for community work students'
Marjorie Mayo, Ruskin College Oxford.

'At a time when community work is being 'rediscovered' as a potential panacea for politcal and economic dislocation, this book is welcome for its contribution to defining the boundaries of practice and for its attention to praxis - the interaction of theory and practice'
Dr Gary Craig, Editor, Community Development Journal


* What is community work - in theory, and in practice?

Community work is a unique and important activity that offers the potential of assisting individuals, groups and communities to achieve change. Keith Popple examines this contested activity analysing its varying theoretical base and practical application. After discussing the development of community work he considers a number of contemporary themes and issues. The author argues for a more critical analysis of community work drawing on a range of key concepts and on the experiences of emerging social movements. He also encourages the extension of community work training and supports the efforts made to establish a national validated qualification.

Analvsing Community Work: Its Theory and Practice will be of value to students, educators, practitioners and policy makers in the fields of community work, youth and community work, social work and social policy. It will also assist those in their occupations such as housing management, co-opperative development and advice and advocacy who are developing their services along community work lines.

The Author

Keith Popple is a Senior Lecturer in Social Policy in the Department of Applied Social Science, University of Plymouth. He has substantial experience in different community work settings. A member of the editorial board and Reviews Editor of the international quarterly Community Development Journal, his books include Community Work in the 1990's (edited with Sidney Jacobs) Spokesman, 1994.