Social work in Britain today is currently being redefined in the face of recent legislation on care in the community, the Criminal Justice Act and the Children Act. The wide range of methods of intervention now used by social workers means that the public at large expects clearer and more detailed explanation of social work approaches than ever before. Social workers will increasingly be called upon to explain to the public and users "what" they are doing and "how" they go about it. "Practising Social Work" is a contribution to the current debate on social work technique and method, providing a systematic exploration of a range of social work approaches. Each chapter focuses on a single theme, and explains the practice implication of particular methods. Taking in a range of client groups, from young offenders to elderly people, the book includes chapters on anti-racist work, a feminist approach, and working with service-users. Other chapters look at crisis intervention, alternatives to custody, family therapy, community work, systems theory, task-centered work, behaviouralism, groupwork, case work, welfare rights, and contract work.

Social work in Britain today is currently being redefined in the face of recent legislation on care in the community, the Criminal Justice Act and the Children Act. The wide range of methods of intervention now used by social workers means that the public at large expects clearer and more detailed explanation of social work approaches than ever before. Social workers will increasingly be called upon to explain to the public and users "what" they are doing and "how" they go about it. "Practising Social Work" is a contribution to the current debate on social work technique and method, providing a systematic exploration of a range of social work approaches. Each chapter focuses on a single theme, and explains the practice implication of particular methods. Taking in a range of client groups, from young offenders to elderly people, the book includes chapters on anti-racist work, a feminist approach, and working with service-users. Other chapters look at crisis intervention, alternatives to custody, family therapy, community work, systems theory, task-centered work, behaviouralism, groupwork, case work, welfare rights, and contract work.