Priscilla Dunk-West

This textbook equips social work students with the tools to develop a social work identity. It provides a critical examination of the knowledge base of social work – from human growth and development to social work research – and explores how a practitioner's own values, principles and experience combine to shape their social work identity and practice alongside this. Linked to a range of core modules on pre-qualifying social work programmes but written also for those practitioners committed to nurturing their own social work identities, this is a must-have text from one of social work's most up-and-coming authors that brings together all areas of the classroom and practice curriculum to make learning a novel, creative and interactive process. New to this edition: · Addresses themes and issues that have become more relevant in contemporary practice such as anti-racism, ageism, adultification, AI and digital social work, gender identity, sexuality and the political context of social work. · More on task-centred practice, relationship-based practice, trauma-informed practice and anti-oppressive practice. · New content on bureaucracy, burnout and self-care, spirituality, as well as grief and loss. · Discussion on responding to reluctant service users or challenging situations. · New reflections and case study examples.

This textbook equips social work students with the tools to develop a social work identity. It provides a critical examination of the knowledge base of social work – from human growth and development to social work research – and explores how a practitioner's own values, principles and experience combine to shape their social work identity and practice alongside this. Linked to a range of core modules on pre-qualifying social work programmes but written also for those practitioners committed to nurturing their own social work identities, this is a must-have text from one of social work's most up-and-coming authors that brings together all areas of the classroom and practice curriculum to make learning a novel, creative and interactive process. New to this edition: · Addresses themes and issues that have become more relevant in contemporary practice such as anti-racism, ageism, adultification, AI and digital social work, gender identity, sexuality and the political context of social work. · More on task-centred practice, relationship-based practice, trauma-informed practice and anti-oppressive practice. · New content on bureaucracy, burnout and self-care, spirituality, as well as grief and loss. · Discussion on responding to reluctant service users or challenging situations. · New reflections and case study examples.

Sexuality and sexual identity have been relatively marginalized areas in both social work education and practice. However, changes in policy and legislation in the UK and other countries over the past decade have brought discussions of sexuality into the mainstream public service agenda. In social work and social care, gay and lesbian citizenship rights have been explicitly recognised. In the fields of adoption and fostering new regulations and guidance have helped improve and develop practice around assessment and intervention. It remains the case, however, that sex is often perceived as a problem area within social work and social care, discussed only in relation to sexually diverse communities or in the realm of dysfunction or pathology. This collection aims to generate a more proactive and challenging discussion of sexuality and sexual identity in social work. Its starting point is that sexuality is an essential aspect of individual identity, that users must be able to express their sexuality, and that it is essential for social workers to be able to respond and discuss sexual issues appropriately. The contributions are informed by feminist research, considering, in particular, the experiences of women working in and using social care services since the 1990s. In addition to a consideration of the wider policy, legislative and service providers' perspectives, the book includes reflective accounts as well as research-led contributions, offering a comprehensive and balanced account of this important field, which aims to inform both theory and practice.

Sociological social work is a lifelong social work practice which is animated by a sociological perspective. Social workers 'shorthand' orientations such as 'strengths perspective', 'task centred' or 'humanistic' (to name but a few), as a way to identify their philosophical and theoretical approaches in professional life. Whilst some texts have examined sociology for social work, this text instead proposes that sociological social work is a legitimate and theoretically rich orientation, and this book demonstrates what sociological social work looks like in our rapidly changing world. This text will equip students and practitioners with a way to think sociologically, not just while they are studying, but as an ever present reference for making sense of social work purpose and how this is realised in a transforming world. This follows an established tradition in social work literature, but this book elevates and names the importance of this approach, which we argue is critically needed if social work is to achieve its agenda in transformative social, political economic and environmental contexts. The current landscape in which we live is one that is characterised by rapid changes which have implications for the life experiences of those with whom social workers work, social justice advocacy agendas, and for fulfilling the purpose of social work more generally. This book is essential reading for those looking to keep up with these changes.

This text provides an easy-to-read introduction to qualitative research methods in social work, taking into account contemporary contexts and social conditions.Drawing from a range of social work perspectives, it allows the reader to make the connection between social work values, theory and specific research methods and approaches.Comprised of 11 chapters, it covers overarching epistemological perspectives and knowledge construction; designing a research question; research design and methods; data collection and analysis; research ethics and dissemination; and impact and research translation. Highlighting social work’s unique commitment to social justice, it positions social work research as embedded in the profession’s values.As the first book to comprehensively connect social work values and emancipatory frameworks, including decolonising practices, with research methods, it shows readers the connection between social work theory and choices in relation to ethical research design.This book is suitable for use on all BSW and MSW research modules across Australia and New Zealand as well as social work courses across the UK.

This text provides an easy-to-read introduction to qualitative research methods in social work, taking into account contemporary contexts and social conditions.Drawing from a range of social work perspectives, it allows the reader to make the connection between social work values, theory and specific research methods and approaches.Comprised of 11 chapters, it covers overarching epistemological perspectives and knowledge construction; designing a research question; research design and methods; data collection and analysis; research ethics and dissemination; and impact and research translation. Highlighting social work’s unique commitment to social justice, it positions social work research as embedded in the profession’s values.As the first book to comprehensively connect social work values and emancipatory frameworks, including decolonising practices, with research methods, it shows readers the connection between social work theory and choices in relation to ethical research design.This book is suitable for use on all BSW and MSW research modules across Australia and New Zealand as well as social work courses across the UK.

This textbook equips social work students with the tools to develop a social work identity. It provides a critical examination of the knowledge base of social work – from human growth and development to social work research – and explores how a practitioner’s own values, principles and experience combine to shape their social work identity and practice alongside this.Linked to a range of core modules on pre-qualifying social work programmes but written also for those practitioners committed to nurturing their own social work identities, this is a must have text from one of social work's most up-and-coming authors that brings together all areas of the classroom and practice curriculum to make learning a novel, creative and interactive process.

This timely and much needed text book presents an innovative, theoretically based approach that helps students, practitioners and researchers alike orientate their view and sensibilities in a rapidly evolving modern world. Traditional social work approaches are often ill-equipped to take into account the emerging social change which has resulted from technological change, globalisation and mobilities, as well as environmental change. By bringing sociological social work perspectives to contemporary practice, it draws on concepts from a range of disciplines in recognition that we are collective thinkers and actors and that our ideas are shaped by what we read and build upon.Whether taking a social work theory module or preparing for placement, this sociological perspective provides a crucial foundation for practice and puts the ‘social’ back in to ‘social work’.

Både under och efter studierna i socialt arbete kan det vara svårt att ta ett steg tillbaka och reflektera över vad det innebär att ­vara socialarbetare. Med det som utgångspunkt diskuterar Att bli social­arbetare kunskapsbasen i socialt arbete – från mänsklig ­utveckling till det sociala arbetets praktik – och undersöker hur dina egna värderingar, principer och erfarenheter tillsammans ­formar din identitet och praktik som socialarbetare. Den här boken stimulerar ditt tänkande, både om dig själv och din socialarbetaridentitet, på nya sätt genom att: använda ett antal innovativa övningar och exempel som hjälper dig att koppla teori till praktiken uppmuntra reflexivt tänkande som stödjer dig i utvecklandet av en socialarbetaridentitet diskutera olika sätt att agera utifrån socialarbetarprofessionen när du arbetar jämsides med andra professionella grupper.Boken vänder sig framförallt till dem som studerar socialt ­arbete, men även till yrkesverksamma som vill vidareutveckla sin professionsidentitet. Boken inleds med ett förord av Björn Blom, professor i socialt arbete vid Umeå universitet.

Sociological social work is a lifelong social work practice which is animated by a sociological perspective. Social workers 'shorthand' orientations such as 'strengths perspective', 'task centred' or 'humanistic' (to name but a few), as a way to identify their philosophical and theoretical approaches in professional life. Whilst some texts have examined sociology for social work, this text instead proposes that sociological social work is a legitimate and theoretically rich orientation, and this book demonstrates what sociological social work looks like in our rapidly changing world. This text will equip students and practitioners with a way to think sociologically, not just while they are studying, but as an ever present reference for making sense of social work purpose and how this is realised in a transforming world. This follows an established tradition in social work literature, but this book elevates and names the importance of this approach, which we argue is critically needed if social work is to achieve its agenda in transformative social, political economic and environmental contexts. The current landscape in which we live is one that is characterised by rapid changes which have implications for the life experiences of those with whom social workers work, social justice advocacy agendas, and for fulfilling the purpose of social work more generally. This book is essential reading for those looking to keep up with these changes.

Sexuality and sexual identity have been relatively marginalized areas in both social work education and practice. However, changes in policy and legislation in the UK and other countries over the past decade have brought discussions of sexuality into the mainstream public service agenda. In social work and social care, gay and lesbian citizenship rights have been explicitly recognised. In the fields of adoption and fostering new regulations and guidance have helped improve and develop practice around assessment and intervention. It remains the case, however, that sex is often perceived as a problem area within social work and social care, discussed only in relation to sexually diverse communities or in the realm of dysfunction or pathology. This collection aims to generate a more proactive and challenging discussion of sexuality and sexual identity in social work. Its starting point is that sexuality is an essential aspect of individual identity, that users must be able to express their sexuality, and that it is essential for social workers to be able to respond and discuss sexual issues appropriately. The contributions are informed by feminist research, considering, in particular, the experiences of women working in and using social care services since the 1990s. In addition to a consideration of the wider policy, legislative and service providers' perspectives, the book includes reflective accounts as well as research-led contributions, offering a comprehensive and balanced account of this important field, which aims to inform both theory and practice.