`This work provides some tools for sharpening thinking, writing and practice. It is a readable, accessible and highly relevant text, suitable for all social workers' - Professional Social Work `This book will become a key reference text for many social workers both while studying and as established professionals. A well -thumbed text on the bookshelf!' - Janice West, Glasgow Caledonian University Social workers are required to communicate in writing for a range of purposes, and to write effectively for a range of audiences, such as clients, team members, magistrates and policy makers. Writing Skills for Social Workers aims to raise the profile of writing skills in social work practice, and to enhance social workers' written communication skills. The book adopts a logical progression, and each chapter identifies and contextualises the practical skills needed at specific points in training and practice. Overall it will encourage the development of writing skills and techniques which will stand the reader in good stead throughout their professional career. Key features of the book include: " training in core professional writing tasks, particularly case-notes, report and proposal writing " guidance in advanced writing skills, such as writing literature reviews, journal articles, conference papers and funding applications. " a discussion of ethical issues and values, including client confidentiality, privacy and empowerment " advice on using these skills to contribute to the formal knowledge base of social work through the publication of research. By adopting a practical approach the authors have included a number of pedagogical features such as reflective exercises, writing tips for specific tasks, and guidelines for further reading. This engaging book satisfies statutory requirements for training and continuing professional development. It will therefore be an essential study guide for all students, practitioners and managers in social work settings.

The purpose of the book is to enhance the concept of Technique in the teaching and practice of Social Work. Over the years Technique has not been stressed as a part of practice even though the actual practice of Social Work consists of the utilization of techniques in addition to theory and the process of assessment and diagnosis. The book seeks to achieve its goal in four ways. It addresses the way the concept of Tchnique has or has not been used over the years. It addresses the need for a clear definition of technique. It analysis the qualities that Technique should have at this point in our history of clinical practice. It then formulates and presents a definition of technique for our thesis based on this definition. It then presents a brief discussion of 101 Techniques discussed in contemporary literature by discussing each one's place in practice a bit about its history and necessary knowledge skills to use responsibly. It addresses the latter by grouping a level of risk involved in its utilization.

Hospital Social Work introduces the reader to the world of medicine and social work as seen through the eyes of actual social workers. An essential reference for both students and professionals. Over 100 social workers in dozens of hospitals were interviewed to provide the reader with first-hand experiences and discussions of practice principles, policy considerations, and theoretical treatments to provide each chapter with a unique blend of theory and practice. Joan Beder, a professor of social work and a practicing social worker, recently noted an apparent lack of empirical discussion of the actual role and day-to-day functioning of the medical social worker. Hospital Social Work is the result, a unique supplemental text for both studying and practicing medical social workers.

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"In this book, I address a perennial question: how does one find his or her way to the other side of suffering after a catastrophic disaster or other personal tragedy? The answer I suggest comes from coastal residents who survived the 2005 Atlantic Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Those who have lost homes and communities can provide an authentic and relatable example for other people faced with a life changing tragedy. In the first section, historic perspectives on disasters and their human impacts are considered. Two coastal parishes (counties) in south Louisiana are highlighted as a natural context for intergenerational knowledge of hurricanes and severe weather events. The Katrina experience is documented through entries in a survivor's personal journal. In the second section, six research-based principles of healing are presented: faith and humor, respect and gratitude, and acceptance and silver linings. Colorful case illustrations and direct quotes from Katrina survivors bring these principles to life. In the third section, post-disaster grief, the new normal after a disaster, and four obstacles that can delay or derail the process of healing are explored. Recovering daily routines and holiday observances provide direction as life goes on after a disaster. The voices of coastal residents who survived the Katrina tragedy offer a message of hope and healing after disaster for all who will listen. Their lives demonstrate quite convincingly that people can overcome catastrophic loss and regain a sense of joy in daily living in the years after a disaster or other life altering tragedy"--

Social workers regularly make high-risk, high-impact decisions: determining that a child has been abused; that an individual may take their own life; or that someone with a history of violence poses harm to another. In the course of this work, social workers are exposed to acute and prolonged workplace trauma and stress that may result in posttraumatic stress, compassion fatigue, and burnout. These effects not only impact practitioners, but also the decisions that social workers make and ultimately the quality of the services that they provide. In this book, Cheryl Regehr explores the intersection between workplace stress, trauma exposure, and professional decision-making in social workers. She weaves together practice experience, research on the impact of stress and trauma on performance and decision-making in other high-risk professions including paramedics and police officers, and the empirical study of competence and decision-making in social work practice. Covering a wide range of research and theory, she surveys practical approaches to reducing stress and trauma exposure, mitigating their effects in social work practice, and improving decision-making. This book is critical reading for all social workers who engage in high-stakes decision-making, from those newly embarking on a career to expert practitioners.