Social Work with People with Learning Difficulties


Book Description

This book is part of the highly successful Transforming Social Work Practice series and is written specifically to support students on the social work degree. Full of practical activities, case studies and opportunities for students to critically reflect and explore theory and practice. Current practice in the field was driven by the government White Paper ′Valuing People′ (2001) which declared some radical aims for services with people with learning difficulties. Now somewhat compromised by the local authority austerity measures, the goals set by ′Valuing People′ are nevertheless still important. This third edition seeks to confirm and strenghten social work values and priciples so that the progress and successes achieved by ′Valuing People′ can continue. Case studies and activities draw out the key points and reinforce learning. Summaries of contemporary research are included, as are suggestions for further reading and coverage of current government guidance and policy documents. By examining the varied roles that a social worker might undertake in this field, the authors portray a positive picture of working with people with learning difficulties: the achievements and satisfaction, and the learning and understanding that can be gained. They also highlight the need for recognition of vulnerability, the risk of isolation, oppression and abuse, and the continuing political struggle to establish and protect the rights of the individual. Paul Williams has over 40 years′ experience of working with people with learning difficulties. He was a founder member of the organisation ′Values into Action′ which campaigned for rights, inclusion and community-based services for people with learning difficulties. He is co-author of books on self-advocacy and anti-oppressive practice. A former lecturer in social work at the University of Reading, he is now retired. Michelle Evans has 14 years of practice in all areas of sensory need, including Deaf/deafness, visual impairment and Deafblindness. She has a first class honours degree in social work and has worked as a care manager in adult services and a social worker in children′s services. She has a particular interest in methods of social research which contribute to raising sensory awareness in social work/ care management. She lectures social work students at London South Bank University and develops and delivers sensory awareness training to practitioners and managers.




Social Work with People with Learning Difficulties


Book Description

Current practice in the field is driven by the government White Paper ‘Valuing People’ (2001), which declared radical aims for services for people with learning difficulties. This fully revised second edition includes key updates on this White Paper and provides an up-to-date evaluation of the progress made towards those aims. Using case studies, activities and further reading to reinforce learning, this book explores an important area of social work practice and examines the varied roles social workers might undertake – including the achievements and satisfaction of working with service users with learning difficulties and challenges.




Social Work with People with Learning Difficulties


Book Description

Recent years have seen a revolution in the field of working with people who have learning difficulties--both professional understanding and user expectations about services and the ways they are provided have been completely transformed. This book offers up-to-date case studies, examples from practice, and points for further reflection, all aimed at people who are learning to work with those who have learning difficulties. It offers a close examination of the role of services and social workers, emphasizing person-centered, one-on-one, and community-focused approaches.




Contemporary Social Work Practice: a Handbook for Students


Book Description

This exciting new book provides an overview of fifteen different contemporary social work practice settings, spanning across the statutory, voluntary, private and third sectors. It serves as the perfect introduction to the various roles social workers can have and the numerous places they can work, equipping students with the knowledge, skills and values required to work in areas ranging from mental health to fostering and adoption, and from alcohol and drug treatment services to youth offending. Each chapter provides: An overview of the setting, including the role of the social worker, how service users gain access to the service and key issues, definitions or terms specific to the setting Legislation and policy guidance related to the specific setting The key theories and methods related to the setting Best practice approaches and the benefits and challenges of working within the setting Case examples illustrating the application of the information to practice Social work students will find this an invaluable handbook that they will refer to time and again throughout their education and into their assessed and supported year of employment. Contributors: Mark Baldwin, Jo Bell, Jenny Clifford, Jill Chonody, Clare Evans, Benedict Fell, Alinka Gearon, Issy Harvey, Caroline Hickman, Tony Jeffs, Debbie Martin, Malcolm Payne, Justin Rogers, Sue Taplin, Barbra Teater, John Watson, Michele Winter. "It is an excellent student introduction to this diverse profession. Full of information that provides a thought provoking read." Andrew Ellery, Social Care Professional "This book really is an excellent resource for social work students at an introductory level and for preparation for placement levels. It provides a comprehensive overview of a range of service user groups as well as specific issues such as domestic violence, homelessness and substance use. Each section is structured around the policy and legislative context and includes comment on theory, challenges and anti-oppressive practice with case examples to aid learning. The focus on the settings within which social work is practiced is particularly welcome and provides an essential companion to introductory books which look more at values, professional behaviour and skills. The range of different settings covered provides excellent preparation for students about to start a placement. The sections on rehabilitation of offenders and self-harm highlight topics that are often given less attention but may well be encountered by students on placement. I will certainly be including this book as essential reading for students on introductory and practice preparation modules." Allan Rose, Social Work Lecturer, Brunel University, UK




Post-Qualifying Social Work Practice


Book Description

"A valuable resource for all those engaged in post-qualifying social work practice, ... It is impressive in its coverage of contemporary social work practice across the four countries of the UK" Professor Jackie Powell, University of Southampton "The PQ landscape is complex and changing fast, so the reader will be grateful to Pat Higham and her colleagues for this clear and comprehensive analysis of PQ" Professor Mark Doel, Sheffield Hallam University. " a comprehensive introduction to social work education at post-qualifying level. It identifies the key issues qualified social workers need to consider in contemporary practice and enables them to engage in critical reflection through the development of their post-qualifying expertise." Professor John Harris, University of Warwick This core textbook provides an authoritative overview of the post-qualifying awards in social work. Written in response to recent policy and training guidelines, the book will enhance social workers′ post-qualifying knowledge, skills and values within specialist areas of practice. The book will: - Use critical self-appraisal to construct different ways of thinking about and doing social work - Encourage reflection on their practice - Enable social workers to build confidence in their professional identity - Move from competence to increased capability and to expertise - Help social workers to explore values dilemmas - Increase social workers′ knowledge for practice - Promote learning and career development. This book examines core assumptions about post qualifying practice - that values and relationships (including partnerships with service users) are essential to good practice, that social workers will work in diverse organisational structures and that social workers in the United Kingdom should become aware of European models of social work.




Social Work with People with Learning Difficulties


Book Description

In the field of learning difficulties there has been a revolution in professional understanding and user aspirations towards delivery of services. Institutional models no longer prevail; language, attitudes and practices have been transformed. Full of up-to-date case studies, practice examples and points for reflection, this exciting textbook explores how to embed this culture shift into mainstream services. It explores theoretical frameworks for working with people with learning difficulties and examines the role of services and the social worker, drawing on person-centred, community-centred and family involvement perspectives. Essential reading for anyone studying social work or nursing people with learning difficulties.




Social Work with People with Learning Difficulties


Book Description

Part of the 'Transforming Social Work Practice' series, this title is written specifically for students on the social work honours degree. It provides an overview of progress towards its aims and uses case studies and activities to draw out key points, and to aid and reinforce learning.




Active Social Work with Children with Disabilities


Book Description

Active Social Work with Children with Disabilities provides a comprehensive social worker’s guide to working with children with disabilities, exploring current issues from the perspective of both the social worker and the family. Many people are afraid of working in this field of social work and this book dispels the myths and fears about working with children with disabilities and build the social worker’s confidence in an area that is often left behind within the social work world. The book will help you to: undertake a social work assessment with a child with a disability consider the holistic needs of the child and the family explore the impact of grief and loss upon the family build emotional intelligence and resilience within families. communicate with children with disabilities communication techniques. The new SEND legislation and issues around Safeguarding of Children with Disabilities and Transition to Adult Social Care for the young person are explored, and activities and scenarios help you to critically reflect and explore theory and practice further




Women, Oppression and Social Work


Book Description

First published in 1992. Routledge is an imprint of Taylor & Francis, an informa company.




Social Work and Direct Payments


Book Description

The 1996 Community Care (Direct Payments) Act came into force in 1 April 1997, empowering social services departments to make cash payments to some service users in lieu of direct service provision. Social work and direct payments guides readers through the issues at stake in this fundamental area of practice. The book summarises and builds on current knowledge and research about direct payments in the UK and considers developments in other European countries. It identifies good practice in the area and explores the implications of direct payments, both for service users and for social work staff.