The second edition of this key text renews its challenge to the established social work culture of managerialism and effectiveness, arguing that existing social work provision can fail the people it aims to support and protect. This second edition of Social Work Management and Practice: Systems Principles, which was first published in 1989, has now been extensively revised, and reflects the development of both systems ideas and policy implementation since that time. The authors apply the latest systems principles to the practice and management of social work. Drawing on Gregory Bateson's work, they show how creative social work can bring about real and positive change in the ecology of people's lives. This edition contains one new chapter analysing the competencies approach in social work training and updates the family therapy developments, and contains substantial new material on management. This powerful and accessible book demonstrates how a systems-based approach can support people in using their own resources to make new and innovative responses to difficult situations.