Good Practice in Working with Violence

Good Practice with Violence is part of a series of volumes devoted to establishing sound guidelines and models for mental health workers. The concept on which the series is based , and which is well executed in this book, is that good practice should be clearly linked to a research framework. The design of the book is to present a clear theoretical and research review in each chapter followed by practice suggestions or a model arising from the research considerations. Although designed with a broad range of practitioners in mind,

Good Practice Series 6

This book is a comprehensive guide to the techniques and skills required for good practice in assessing and managing violence. Drawing on experiences from contributors from a range of backgrounds, the books discusses the challenges involved in working with violence and its effects.

Violent crime, unlike other criminal activities, is on the increase, and is of growing media and public concern. Approaching the issue from a practitioner's viewpoint, Good Practice in Working with Violence focuses on working with perpetrators of violence that has resulted in both physical and psychological harm. Drawing on the experiences of contributors from a range of backgrounds, the book discusses the challenges involved in working with violence and its effects, including:

* the assessment of violent persons and the extent to which violent behaviours can be predicted

* the production of reliable assessment methods for use in the field

* the moral and ethical issues presented by such assessments

* the extent to which violent behaviours can be successfully managed in the community or institutions

* the most effective intervention techniques for work with perpetrators of violence

* multi-agency responses to violent offenders

* training

* roles and responsibilities

* the issue of public protection.

Relevant for a variety of practice settings, Good Practice in Working with Violence is a comprehensive guide to the techniques and skills required for good practice in assessing and managing violence.

Ann Hagell is Programme Director for Adolescent Mental Health at The Nuffield Foundation, a large charitable trust based in London. She is a chartered psychologist specialising in social policy research on high-risk young people, and previously co-founded and co-directed the Policy Research Bureau - a centre for applied research into young people and families. She has been Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Adolescence since 2000.

Phil Woods is a Senior Lecturer in Forensic Mental Health Nursing at Kneesworth House, King's College London.