Understanding Social Work: Preparing for Practice

Social work is a rewarding career that requires knowledge, skills, and values to make a difference. This sixth edition of Understanding Social Work provides an excellent grounding in the role, with case studies, advice from experienced practitioners, practical exercises, and further reading suggestions. It also includes lessons from expert witness work and a renewed focus on loss and grief and anti-racism. Online resources are available to support teaching and learning.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 08 February 2024
Publisher: Bloomsbury Publishing PLC

Social work is a multifaceted profession that involves assisting individuals, families, and communities in addressing various social, emotional, and economic challenges. It requires a range of skills and qualities to effectively engage with clients and promote positive change.

Social work is a practice-based profession that draws on various theories and models to understand and address social issues. It involves working with individuals, families, and communities to promote social justice, equity, and well-being. Social workers use a variety of methods, such as counseling, advocacy, case management, and community development, to help clients achieve their goals and overcome barriers to success.

One of the key skills required in social work is empathy. Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. It is essential for building trust and rapport with clients and for creating a safe and supportive environment for them to explore their challenges and concerns. Social workers must also be skilled in communication, both verbal and nonverbal, to effectively communicate with clients and other professionals. They must be able to listen actively, ask questions, and provide clear and concise information.

Social work also requires a strong understanding of social systems and policies. Social workers must be able to analyze social data and identify patterns of inequality and discrimination. They must be able to advocate for policies and programs that promote social justice and equity and work to address the root causes of social problems.

In addition to these skills, social work requires a commitment to social work values and ethics. Social workers must prioritize the well-being and dignity of their clients and strive to promote social change through their work. They must also be aware of their own biases and power dynamics and work to promote diversity and inclusion in their practice.

Social work is a challenging and rewarding profession that requires a combination of skills, knowledge, and values. It is a profession that makes a difference in the lives of individuals and communities and that requires a commitment to social justice and human rights.

Despite its many challenges, social work remains a rewarding career that makes a difference. Understanding Social Work is a much-loved and highly acclaimed introduction to what is involved in the role, offering an excellent grounding in what the profession is all about.

Neil Thompson provides a clear and helpful account of the knowledge, skills, and values that underpin social work, making clear what some of the main challenges of social work are and helping you rise to those challenges. Each engaging and succinct chapter supports the readers learning and development with case studies, valuable advice from experienced practitioners, practical exercises, and further reading suggestions.

In this sixth edition, Thompson shares lessons from his expert witness work and offers renewed focus on the significance of loss and grief and the resurgence of interest in anti-racism in social work. It is an ideal starting point for people considering a career in social work, students beginning their social work journey, and for experienced practitioners who want to revisit their roots.

Accompanying online resources are available at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/the-effective-social-worker. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook
textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Weight: 392g
Dimension: 154 x 233 x 17 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781350399167
Edition number: 6 ed