"This book provides an accessible overview of the 'transformation' of Children's Services in England. In doing this, it draws on social theory, critical social policy and takes account of developments in other countries. Paul Michael Garrett argues that the many changes which have taken place within, and beyond, Children's Services are related to the politics of neoliberalism which, it is maintained, lie at the core of the Change for Children programme." --Book Jacket.

This Handbook is the world′s first generic major reference work to provide an authoritative guide to the theory, method, and values of social work in one volume. Drawn from an international field of excellence, the contributors each offer a critical analysis of their individual area of expertise. The result is this invaluable resource collection that not only reflects upon the condition of social work today but also looks to future developments. Split into seven parts, the Handbook investigates: - Policy dimensions - Practice - Perspectives - Values and ethics - The context of social work - Research - Future challenges It is essential reading for all students, practitioners, researchers, and academics engaged in social work.

In dealing with individual problems and difficulties, critical social work (CSW) is an emancipatory practice which seeks to address social injustice. In this book the author draws on almost 40 years’ experience as a social worker to consider CSW in core areas of practice with children and families. Fully updated to cover the impact of austerity, Brexit, the COVID-19 pandemic and cost of living crisis, this accessible textbook is essential reading for students, educators and practitioners of child and family social work. It features: • clearly signposted ‘theory’ and ‘practice’ sections; • over 10 case studies including those drawn from the author’s experience; • end of chapter ‘Key points’ summaries; • further reading suggestions. With expanded coverage of race and intersectionality, contextual safeguarding and critical child protection, the book champions the development of resilient social workers working towards a more just and equal world.

This valuable textbook communicates the complexities and controversies at the heart of youth work management, exploring key issues in a critical fashion. Written by a team of experienced youth work lecturers, the chapters cover topics such as planning, evaluation and supervision, whilst acknowledging the changing structures of integrated services and the impact of public service reform. Divided into three sections, it covers: Historical and theoretical context Critical practice issues, including leadership, policy constraints, planning and accountability Managing in different settings, for instance integrated services and the voluntary sector. Aimed at both youth work students studying for their professional qualification, as well as practicing managers, Critical Issues in Youth Work Management encourages critical thinking about what management in youth work is and what it can be. It includes reflective questions and further reading, and case studies are integrated throughout.

Social work educators and practitioners are grappling with many difficulties confronting the profession in the context of an increasingly neoliberal world. The contributors of this book examine how neoliberalism — and the modes with which it structures the world — has an impact on, and shapes, social work as a disciplinary ‘field’. Drawing on new empirical work, the chapters in this book highlight how neoliberalism is affecting social work practices ‘on the ground’. The book seeks to stimulate international debate on the totalizing effects of neoliberalism, and in so doing, also identify various ways through which it can be resisted both locally and globally. The chapters in this book were originally published as a special issue of the European Journal of Social Work.

This book analyses the types of and possibilities for care in social work with families in situations where evidence-based programmes, standardised forms of risk-assessment and intervention, performance management and incentives to increase cost-effectiveness take precedence. Offering a new framework for understanding and exploring theories and practices of care in social work with families, it is structured into • A comprehensive introduction to care theory and its relevance for social work. This includes critical reflections on "the missing link" between care theory and social work theory and the need for care theory in research on and social work with families. • A new framework for understanding core elements, dimensions and dilemmas of care in social work. This is based in theory and international research and is illustrated with exemplary "thick" ethnographic cases of statutory social work, homebased social work and family treatment. • Suggestions for enabling social change of the conditions for and practices of care in social work with families. By allowing critical reflection on this topic, this book will be of interest to all scholars, students and academics of social work and other professions dealing with child protection.

Drawing on lessons from the recent history of social work to identify how and why it has lost its privilege and influence, this book challenges social work students to understand why social work has failed to maintain its position as a driver of social reform. Bamford looks forward to a new model of practice that places a commitment to put social justice back at the heart of professional practice. The book contributes to the topical debates about social work education and the identity of the profession, encouraging critical thinking about organisation models, practice content and meaning of professionalism in social work. Students are asked to consider questions such as ‘why has social work found it so hard to define its role? ‘, ‘is the neoliberal tide irreversible?’, and ‘do the jibes of political correctness have any substance?’. The book provides students of social work, history of social work and social policy, with a greater understanding of how social work became an unloved profession, whilst simultaneously charting a more hopeful course for the future.