Judith Milner

Assessment is a core component of social work. Since first publication, Assessment in Social Work has provided students and practitioners with a clear overview of the complex issues they face and a map of the theory they need to draw on in order to conduct thorough, effective and meaningful assessments. New to this Edition:- Updated and revised chapter on Signs of Safety/Strengths in light of recent research and guidance- Coverage of recording and sharing information included throughout the text- Added coverage of confidentiality and inter-agency workingUpdated material in light of the Mental Capacity Act- More material on Cultural differences throughout- Updated legislation and professional guidance throughout Refreshed and updated examples thought-out the text- A more detailed outline of the different national perspectives within the UK

Solution focused practice offers proven ways of helping adults overcome a range of life difficulties, from physical and mental illness to learning disability and the challenges of old age. This book outlines the basic principles and techniques which can be used to identify people's strengths and abilities to overcome challenges, make their own decisions and achieve their goals. Using case examples of life challenges at every stage of adulthood, including problematic behaviours, trauma, loss and end of life care, it provides stimulating activities and questions that will help professionals develop constructive conversations with service users and help them find the solutions they need.This comprehensive guide is an essential introduction for all those working with adults in health and social care.

The recent review of the Diploma in Social Work highlighted the fact that children and young people who are in care have less successsful records of educational achievement than their peers. Social Work with Children encourages students to view the educational experiences of the young people they will work with seriously and to provide them with the necessary information to do so with confidence and authority. It takes account of the problems asssociated with inter-agency and inter-professional work drawing upon the authors own practical experience and research. Illustrative case studies are provided.

Exploring creative ways to implement solution focused practice, this book is packed full of ideas to inspire ways of working with clients which focus on their strengths as a means to finding solutions.Outlining how and why strengths-based interviewing for solutions is effective, the book provides a wealth of different ways to apply key solution focused techniques. With exercises, sample questions and top tips for tricky situations, the authors show how to apply creative methods in a variety of different settings and with different service user groups. Suitable for use with children and adults, this accessible book will offer exciting ideas for those new to solution focused working as well as more experienced practitioners looking for inspiration.

An authoritative, interdisciplinary book which outlines how solution focused practice is particularly effective in addressing violent behaviour in clients and service users, encompassing work with both adults and children. Solution focused approaches have been used successfully with a range of violent behaviours from school-based bullying to severe domestic violence, as well as with victims of violence. Solution focused approaches hold people accountable for building solutions to their violent behaviour. The book shows how to engage clients in solution talk as opposed to problem talk, set useful goals and help clients to develop new behaviours. It outlines the practice principles and working techniques that make up solution focused practice with physical, emotional and sexual violence. Illustrative case studies and practice activities are provided. This book is suitable for anyone working to help reduce violent behaviour, including social workers, counsellors, therapists, nurses, probation workers and youth offending teams.

More than any other challenging behaviour, the sexual abuse of one child by another generates anxiety, puzzlement and confusion.Adults confident in dealing with a defiant or delinquent child find their confidence leaves them when confronted with sexual misbehaviour in a child who they expect to be asexual. In this book, Jackie Bateman and Judith Milner provide an accessible overview of the evidence relating to such problem behaviours, from inappropriate behaviour to sexual abuse. They go on to propose research-based effective and creative methods that professionals can use to develop responsibility-taking and safety in the child, and outline a strengths-based model for practice. Using the model, the authors show how behaviour can be managed through the development of safe care plans for the home and/or school - addressing communication, supervision, and supportive networks. They also provide guidance for working across a range of settings - whether directly with families, in schools or with children with learning difficulties. This practical guide will be an essential tool for social workers, counsellors, teachers, nurses and any professional with responsibility for child protection.

Solution focused approaches offer proven ways of helping children overcome a whole range of difficulties, from academic problems to mental health issues, by helping them to identify their strengths and achievements.Based on solution focused practice principles, this book illustrates communication skills and playful techniques for working with all children and young people, regardless of any health, learning or development need. It demonstrates how the approach can capture children's views, wishes and worries, and can assist them in identifying their strengths and abilities. The approach encourages positive decision-making, and helps children to overcome challenges, achieve their goals and reach their full potential. The book is packed with case examples, practical strategies, and practice activities. This valuable text will be of great use to a range of practitioners working with children and young people, including social workers, youth workers, counsellors, teachers and nurses.

Assessing and managing violence places a heavy burden on practitioners in social work, criminal justice and health care settings. Milner and Myers examine current explanatory theories of violence and how these influence assessment and intervention. Using case studies and a variety of agency documents, the strengths and weaknesses of these approaches are weighed up and a framework is presented to help workers looking to effect positive change.

Social workers and social care practitioners are increasingly required to engage directly with matters relating to sex and sexuality in their everyday work. Policies and guidance on how to approach these sensitive areas are emerging. This book provides busy practitioners with a ready reference for the day-to-day problems that they are likely to face in key areas of engagement, such as promoting sexual health, preventing sexual violence, working with those subjected to sexual abuse, and engaging with the complexities of contemporary sexualities. The book: · reviews current policy in each area; · outlines the relevant guidance; · and provides links to further reading and other helpful sources of information. Concise but comprehensive, practical and accessible, the book is realistic in terms of what services practitioners can provide. "Sexual issues in social work" is essential reading for anyone who works with others where sex and sexuality have become part of the practice concerns.

Whilst assessment has long been central to the counselling process, with the recent moves towards evidence-based practice and increased regulation it is taking an increasingly pivotal role in service provision. This important new text helps clarify the nature and purpose of assessment in counselling. It explores the theoretical underpinnings of assessment across the core therapeutic schools and addresses critical differences in the meanings and importance deferred to it. It will be invaluable reading for all trainees as well as for practitioners wishing to gain a broad insight into therapeutic practice across the boundaries of the many therapeutic models.

This innovative and highly practical text provides an introduction to solution and narrative approaches to brief counselling and demonstrates how they may successfully be combined to create solution talk with clients. Solution talk is a highly flexible and effective way of empowering people to use their own potential for positive change, for coping with what they cannot change, and for re-creating their lives and even their identities.Judith Milner and Patrick O'Byrne compare and contrast solution talk with other more traditional or problem-oriented approaches to illustrate how a collaborative, co-constructive and empowering way of working may help clients to meet their goals quickly, painlessly and with long-lasting effects. They outline the philosophy, practice principles and specific techniques of solution talk and discuss what to do if no immediate progress is apparent. Through detailed case examples, they illustrate how the approach may be used in client work with a wide range of issues connected to family life, school and work, health, personal safety and leisure.Brief Counselling: Narratives and Solutions will be an essential text for all trainees and practitioners in counselling, psychotherapy and other health-related professions interested in brief therapeutic approaches and working creatively with clients.