Completely rewritten and updated, this fourth edition retains the practical information but sets it in a contemporary context. The authors explain the skills, knowledge and techniques needed to work effectively in a neighbourhood setting.

Skills in Neighbourhood Work is a practice textbook. It explains the skills, knowledge and techniques needed by community workers and other practitioners to work effectively in and with communities. While the principles and methods it describes have stood the test of time, the political, economic and social changes which have taken place since the book was first published have made a new edition essential. Completely rewritten and updated, the third edition retains all the practical information needed by the student or practitioner but sets it in the contemporary context. It includes a European perspective and views from America and Australia.

Skills in Neighbourhood Work is a practice textbook. It explains the skills, knowledge and techniques needed by community workers and other practitioners to work effectively in and with communities. While the principles and methods it describes have stood the test of time, the political, economic and social changes which have taken place since the book was first published have made a new edition essential. Completely rewritten and updated, the third edition retains all the practical information needed by the student or practitioner but sets it in the contemporary context. It includes a European perspective and views from America and Australia.

"Specifically dedicated to the skills that social workers need to advance community practice, this creative book is long overdue. Grounded in the wisdom and evidence of well-honed interpersonal social work skills...Donna Hardina's new text takes community practice to a higher level than ever before developed in book form; indeed she displays the most thorough understanding of research on community practice that I have read in any community practice text."--Journal of Teaching in Social Work Community organization has been a major component of social work practice since the late 19th century. It requires a diverse set of abilities, interpersonal skills being among the most important. This textbook describes the essential interpersonal skills that social workers need in community practice and helps students cultivate them. Drawing from empirical literature on community social work practice and the authorís own experience working with community organizers, the book focuses on developing the macro-level skills that are especially useful for community organizing. It covers relationship-building, interviewing, recruitment, community assessment, facilitating group decision-making and task planning, creating successful interventions, working with organizations, and program evaluation, along with examples of specific applications. For clarity and ease of use, the author employs a framework drawn from a variety of community practice models, including social action and social planning, transformative/popular education and community development approaches, and multicultural and feminist approaches. The text is linked to the competencies outlined in the Council of Social Work Educationís (2008) Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS), as well as ethics and values identified in the National Association of Social Workersí (NASW) Code of Ethics, and the International Federation of Social Workersí statement of ethical principles. Most chapters begin with a quote from a community organizer explaining how interpersonal skills are used in practice, and student exercises conclude each chapter. The text also addresses other important skills such as legislative advocacy, lobbying, and supervision. Key Features: Describes the essential skills social workers need in community practice and how to acquire them Includes examples of specific applications drawn from empirical literature and the authorís experience working with community organizers Grounded in social justice, strengths-based, and human rights perspectives Linked to competencies outlined in EPAS and values identified in the NASW Code of Ethics Based on a variety of community practice models

Government policy is increasingly focused on the contribution that communities can make to civil society and democratic renewal. This book demonstrates how informal and formal networks strengthen community capacity and improve cross-sectoral working.

Community work is a unique and important activity that has the potential to help individuals, groups and communities achieve change. This brand new update of an established and acclaimed text explores and analyses different theoretical approaches to community work. Written in a highly accessible style, this book is grounded in practice issues and tackles political and theoretical issues head-on. New to the second edition: Analysis of the work of New Labour Consideration of Coalition government policies, for example, the 'Big Society' project and the impact of budget cuts A new international dimension throughout the text, and an important new chapter on international community work New definitions of 'community' explored to take into account a diverse population Increased emphasis on community work values, skills and challenges Updated pedagogy, including end of chapter summaries and reflective questions References the latest writings in the field Written by an established international expert, this book will be valuable for students on qualifying programmes, practitioners, policy makers and commentators, and those engaged in community work in all capacities. "'Analysing Community Work' provided a key text, tackling issues of theory and practice in accessible ways for some two decades. This second edition builds upon the strengths of the first, updating the book to take account of the major changes that have been taking place since then, both in Britain and internationally. Popple’s critical consideration of the impacts of globalization, neo-liberalism, changing technologies, increasing inequalities and increasing concerns with environmental issues will be particularly welcomed. This edition will be essential reading for those who read and appreciated the first as well as for a new generation of readers." Marjorie Mayo, Emeritus Professor of community development, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK "Popple's book was one of the key overviews of British community work when it first appeared in 1995. In the last few years, the need for a revised and updated version has been increasingly obvious and Popple has now obliged. The last twenty years have seen substantial changes in the political, economic and organisational context within which community work operates and Popple has fully reflected this whilst remaining clear about its basic tenets and goals. This is a highly welcome addition to contemporary community work literature." Gary Craig, Professor of Community Development and Social Justice, Durham University, UK

Originally published in 1983, The Making of Community Work is the outcome of a two-year study of community work in the United Kingdom. The main purpose of the study was to review the development of community work, and to suggest some of the issues in practice and training that might be important in the 1980s. Much of the first part of the book is taken up with the emergence of community work as an occupation; David Thomas tries to clarify its contribution to a number of political and social processes, and to define community work in a way which distinguishes it from other kinds of interventions. The second part of the book deals with training, research, literature and employment in community work; it includes a review of college and field-based training opportunities, and a critical discussion of the state of theory and ideology in the occupation. It was hoped it would be an important source of ideas and inspiration for the years ahead. It was the first major review of community work since its re-discovery in the 1960s; it will still be of interest to all those involved in community work, or wishing to understand its influence on other professions. The book was intended for fieldworkers, administrators, policy-makers, trainers and students in community work and in related occupations and disciplines. Thomas presents his ideas clearly, and his ability to look critically at some of the basic assumptions in community work makes for stimulating and enjoyable reading.