Classic texts for a new generation of social workers
The Practical Social Work series is a long standing, trusted and well-known collection of books.
The concept of the series was developed to fulfil a genuine professional need for a carefully planned, coherent series of textbooks that would contribute to practitioners’ skills, development and professionalism.
The books seek to provide social work students, practitioners, lecturers and educators with reliable, contemporary practice guidance, underpinned by theory, policy and law.
Feedback from many readers has confirmed that this is a trusted series with educational value. Many of the texts are considered ‘classics’ and they are all highly reliable resources, with broad appeal. The books are suitable not just for undergraduate social work students but also for practitioners returning to study at post-qualifying level and those simply wanting to refresh their thinking in practice. They offer an accessible entry point alongside sufficient depth so that reader’s to will continue to find insight beyond the first point of use.
BASW members receive a 30% discount on this series
The concept of the series was developed to fulfil a genuine professional need for a carefully planned, coherent series of textbooks that would contribute to practitioners’ skills, development and professionalism.
The books seek to provide social work students, practitioners, lecturers and educators with reliable, contemporary practice guidance, underpinned by theory, policy and law.
Feedback from many readers has confirmed that this is a trusted series with educational value. Many of the texts are considered ‘classics’ and they are all highly reliable resources, with broad appeal. The books are suitable not just for undergraduate social work students but also for practitioners returning to study at post-qualifying level and those simply wanting to refresh their thinking in practice. They offer an accessible entry point alongside sufficient depth so that reader’s to will continue to find insight beyond the first point of use.
BASW members receive a 30% discount on this series
Please enter the discount promo code at checkout
(log-in if you do not have your members code)
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anti-Discriminatory Practice (5th Edition)
Author/s: Neil Thompson
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Contemporary society is characterised by its ever-increasing diversity. Having sold over 70,000 copies, Neil Thompson's classic text remains a trusted introduction to the challenges of promoting social justice and equality. Addressing the ways in which social workers can effectively challenge inequality within society, the book explores the many forms of discrimination that can lead to disadvantage, disempowerment and oppression. Written with Thompson's inimitable clarity, this edition features:
- Three all-new chapters, including a contextual introduction and chapters on sexuality and religious discrimination;
- An explicit theory base, through extended discussion of the widely used PCS model;
- A range of questions for reflection and comprehensive guidance on further reading, incorporating books, articles and websites.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Anti-Racist Social Work (3rd Edition)
Author/s: Lena Dominelli
Publication date: April 2008
Price: £18.99
The third edition examines changes in anti-racist practice since the first edition, situating its narratives within the globalizing world. Issues such as the current disillusionment, complexity of racialization processes and identity politics are addressed, and Dominelli illustrates what can be done to enhance social justice and well-being.
CLICK HERE to buy this book from the BASW bookshop
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Applied Psychology for Social Workers (3rd Edition)
Author/s: Paula Nicolson, Rowan Bayne and Jenny Owe
Publication date: March 2006
Price: £18.50
Psychology provides an essential backdrop to social work practice but there remain few sources that summarise its theories and findings accessibly for busy professionals. Applied Psychology for Social Workers is designed specifically to fulfil this need. Fully updated the third edition includes a new chapter on domestic violence and greater emphasis on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Cognitive Analytic Theory. Compact, engaging and clear, it can be read from cover to cover or used as an ongoing point of reference. Either way, it will prove a vital and practical resource for deepening readers understanding of the challenges they face.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Communication in Social Work (2nd Edition)
Author/s: Joyce Lishman
Publication date: March 2009
Price: £18.99
Effective communication is a vital part of the social worker’s job. This welcome new edition of a classic text provides students and practitioners with essential advice and guidance about communicating and interacting in a range of social work settings.
Based on the author’s extensive personal and teaching experience, the text offers a succint introduction to a variety of communication techniques, including symbolic, non-verbal, verbal, written and electronic forms of communication. Importantly, it discusses the perspectives of service users and explores their experiences and interpretations of how a social worker looks, acts and speaks, thus giving a real insight into the implicit messages being conveyed.
New to this edition are Putting it into Practice activities and further reading suggestions, designed to support learning and understanding and to enable readers to reflect critically for practice.
Written in an appealing narrative style that cannot fail to draw the reader in, Communication in Social Work is an engaging and comprehensive book suitable both for social work and social care students and for newly qualified practitioners wanting to refresh their thinking and skills.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Community Work (4th Edition)
Author/s: Alan Twelvetrees
Price: £18.99
Publication date: June 2008
Drawing on his own professional experience, Alan Twelvetrees addresses the needs of students, field-level community workers and managers. Both theory and practice are described in a highly readable and honest way and the updated fourth edition of this bestseller includes placing community work at the centre of neighbourhood renewal.
CLICK HERE to buy this book from the BASW bookshop
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Decision Making in Social Work (2nd Edition)
Author/s: Terence O'Sullivan
Price: £18.99
Publication date: November 2010
At a time when accountability and the avoidance of risk are increasingly demanded of social work practitioners, the ability to make clear and reasoned professional decisions is essential. This welcome new edition provides a supportive framework for making social work judgements and assessments based on a structured and practical approach.
Assessing the social, organizational and psychological backdrops which frame all decisions, this timely text explores:
■ the key principles and goals which inform decision making
■ the pressures of making decisions within interprofessional settings
■ reflexive approaches to analysis, decision making and outcome evaluation
■ the complex relationship between sound decisions and the attainment of planned outcomes
■ the pressures of making decisions within interprofessional settings
■ reflexive approaches to analysis, decision making and outcome evaluation
■ the complex relationship between sound decisions and the attainment of planned outcomes
Woven through with practice scenarios applicable to the many facets of social work, this text emphasizes the importance of good decision making to high-quality social work practice. Reassuringly clear throughout, this new addition to the BASW Practical Social Work series is core reading for all involved in the field of social work, whether as students, academics, practitioners or managers.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
Author/s: Joan Orme and David Shemmings
Author/s: Michael Preston-Shoot
Author/s: Robert Adams
Now in its fourth edition this book continues to offer in-depth coverage spanning both conceptual debates about empowerment and a range of practice issues. The clarity and accessibility, as well as new examples reflecting varied global contexts and material on empowering children and adults, make it an essential resource at all levels of study.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Developing Research Based Social Work Practice
Author/s: Joan Orme and David Shemmings
Price: £18.99
Publication date: May 2010
Developing Research Based Social Work Practice explores how research can improve the quality of social work. It provides an overview of the core theoretical concepts and the processes and practices in undertaking research.
Locating the place of social work research within the social sciences, this innovative book promotes critical debate to strengthen both the research base and day-to-day practice. It is designed to encourage 'reflective research practitioners' - professionals who are both critically reflective and research aware - and does so by:
■ presenting a range of approaches within research;
■ highlighting distinctive aspects of social work research, such as emancipatory
research and researching sensitive topics;
■ reflecting on the strengths of research and identifying how to utilize findings;
■ introducing beginning researchers to the rationales for undertaking research.
Highlighting the importance of how research informs practice, this book is essential reading for students on qualifying and post-qualifying courses, practitioners, managers and policy makers.
Locating the place of social work research within the social sciences, this innovative book promotes critical debate to strengthen both the research base and day-to-day practice. It is designed to encourage 'reflective research practitioners' - professionals who are both critically reflective and research aware - and does so by:
■ presenting a range of approaches within research;
■ highlighting distinctive aspects of social work research, such as emancipatory
research and researching sensitive topics;
■ reflecting on the strengths of research and identifying how to utilize findings;
■ introducing beginning researchers to the rationales for undertaking research.
Highlighting the importance of how research informs practice, this book is essential reading for students on qualifying and post-qualifying courses, practitioners, managers and policy makers.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Effective Groupwork (2nd Edition)
Author/s: Michael Preston-Shoot
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2007
This book is an essential introduction to the values, knowledge and skills required for working with different groups in different social work and social care settings. Accessible and comprehensive, it will be invaluable for students and practitioners in social work and the caring professions wanting to learn more about this key practice technique.
‘Clearly written, this text is useful to students, managers, and practitioners alike – and not just those in social work, but in any other “people-orientated” professions.’ – Lynda Hassall, Community Care
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Empowerment, Participation and Social Work
Author/s: Robert Adams
Price: £18.50
Publication date: March 2008
Now in its fourth edition this book continues to offer in-depth coverage spanning both conceptual debates about empowerment and a range of practice issues. The clarity and accessibility, as well as new examples reflecting varied global contexts and material on empowering children and adults, make it an essential resource at all levels of study.CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ethics & Values in Social Work (4th Edition)
Author/s: Sarah Banks
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Ethics and Values in Social Work offers a clear and systematic account of professional ethics in relation to social work practice, framed within a global context. Having sold over 38,000 copies across its lifetime, this is a thoroughly revised edition of a modern social work classic from a leading international author. Combining a sound grasp of theoretical issues with a sharp focus on the latest policy and practice, this edition features:
- Detailed discussion of the participation of service users, including their role as activists and the importance of the service user movement;
- Extended analysis of professional regulation and codes of practice, and their role in defining the nature of social work;
- A vast array of practice examples, which bring current social issues to life;
- Comparison of the latest codes of ethics from across the globe;
- A wealth of supportive features, such as points for reflection, extended case studies and further resources.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Management in Social Work (3rd Edition)
Veronica Coulshed, Audrey Mullender, David N. Jones, Neil Thompson
Price: £18.50
Publication date: March 2006
All social workers are required to manage and be accountable. The third edition of this classic book explores what is an area of rapid change that is central to professional practice. This new edition has been brought right up-to-date to meet the needs of today’s social work practitioners and service managers by discussing legislation, policy and procedure in light of central government’s modernising agenda for social work. The authors show how management theory is moving towards a more open and cooperative model and demonstrate that it can serve an agenda of empowerment, equipping social workers to question procedures, shape policy and improve services.
CLICK HERE to buy this book from the BASW bookshop
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Practising Social Work Law
Author/s: Suzy Braye and Michael Preston-Shoot
Price: £21.99
Publication date: September 2009
When you study social work law, it can feel like there are many more questions than answers. Practising Social Work Law is here to help. Arguing that knowledge of the law alone is insufficient, this book identifies the connections between law and social work to provide readers with the critical knowledge needed for competent practice. It analyzes the practice-based dilemmas social workers often encounter, and clarifies the values, skills and understanding needed to make sound professional decisions and judgements.
This is a fully revised and extended edition of a well respected text. It includes new material in every chapter, incorporating research-informed commentary and up-to-date case law and guidance. Written by two leading authorities in the field, it is an invaluable resource for students, practitioners and educators alike.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Approaches to Mental Distress
Author/s: Jerry Tew
Price: £18.99
Publication date: February 2011
Over-reliance on biological models in mental health practice has resulted in growing discontent from practitioners and service users, who know that social factors also have a major impact on people's mental health. Social approaches enable practitioners to promote recovery in ways that move beyond the limitations of biomedical treatments.
Championing a range of innovative approaches, this timely book offers a holistic model for understanding and responding to mental distress. It places mental health within its broader social context, encouraging engagement with not just the person experiencing mental distress, but also their family and wider social world.
Drawing on relevant theory and research evidence, the author:
• Considers the inter-relationships between social circumstances, life events and mental distress;
• Explores the roots of mental distress and its perpetuating factors;
• Provides a toolkit for assessment and action planning within the social context;
• Advocates recovery-oriented practice, based on emancipatory values, social participation and positive risk-taking.
Championing a range of innovative approaches, this timely book offers a holistic model for understanding and responding to mental distress. It places mental health within its broader social context, encouraging engagement with not just the person experiencing mental distress, but also their family and wider social world.
Drawing on relevant theory and research evidence, the author:
• Considers the inter-relationships between social circumstances, life events and mental distress;
• Explores the roots of mental distress and its perpetuating factors;
• Provides a toolkit for assessment and action planning within the social context;
• Advocates recovery-oriented practice, based on emancipatory values, social participation and positive risk-taking.
A welcome new addition to the BASW Practical Social Work series, Social Approaches to Mental Distress is a core text for students and practitioners of social work and other mental health disciplines. It is also insightful reading for anyone whose own life has been affected by mental health difficulties.
Author/s: Veronica Coulshed and Joan Orme
Having sold over 75,000 copies across its four editions, Social Work Practice remains a trusted text for all students and practitioners. It offers essential introductory guidance for all areas of study and provides the fundamentals for understanding skills, processes and contexts of social work.
This comprehensive text is divided into three easily navigable parts:
Author/s: Christine Bigby and Patsie Frawley
Author/s: Michael Oliver, Bob Sapey and Pam Thomas
Having gone through 30 years of development, the new edition of this highly-regarded classic is the most trusted companion for understanding and promoting the potential for social work with disabled people. It offers readers a clear introduction to the core issues of disability alongside discussion and assessment of the social worker's role.
Written by an experienced and highly respected team of authors, the book reflects:
Author/s: Mo Ray and Judith Phillips
Revised to emphasise the current policy drive towards personalisation and service user participation in care management, the new edition of Social Work with Older People remains an insightful introductory text.
Deliberately taking a critical approach to guide readers to consider stereotypes of aging and work with older people, the new edition presents fundamental knowledge alongside thought-provoking and challenging debates. It offers a new chapter on safeguarding and has been updated to reflect current course requirements:
Author/s: Celia Doyle
Working with abused children is a demanding and emotionally charged area of practice in which practitioners must balance sensitivity with statutory obligation. This thoroughly updated new edition emphasises the need for a central focus on the child and their perspectives, to ensure safe and effective work with children and their families.
Opening with the foundations of good practice, the book goes on to capture the perspectives of children through moving first-hand accounts from abuse survivors. Woven through with frank narratives from the author’s own practice experience, it discusses the importance of assessment and explores interventions through individual, family and group work.
Keeping the voice of the child at its heart, this edition features:
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Work Practice (5th edition)
Author/s: Veronica Coulshed and Joan Orme
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Having sold over 75,000 copies across its four editions, Social Work Practice remains a trusted text for all students and practitioners. It offers essential introductory guidance for all areas of study and provides the fundamentals for understanding skills, processes and contexts of social work. This comprehensive text is divided into three easily navigable parts:
- Part I guides you through the social work process, detailing each stage and offering a new chapter on reflection;
- Part II introduces key methods of intervention, encompassing a broad range of theories and approaches, including new material on strengths based approaches and solution focused practice;
- Part III identifies the variety of contexts in which social work takes place, with individuals (both children and adults), groups and communities.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Work Practice and Intellectual Disability
Working to Support Change
Author/s: Christine Bigby and Patsie Frawley
Price: £18.99
Publication date: October 2009
Read this book to gain an understanding of the knowledge, values and skills required for effective practice in the field of intellectual disability and the opportunities which this work offers for multidisciplinary collaboration for social change.
Social Work Practice and Intellectual Disability identifies and discusses:
■ the changing definitions of intellectual disability, also called 'learning disability'
■ the theory and practice of working with people with intellectual disabilities and their families
■ the core tasks of assessment, planning, monitoring and review
■ the values of participation and inclusion in action
Illustrated with numerous case studies, discussion points and clear explanations, this addition to the Practical Social Work Series is an indispensable resource. It is ideally suited both for the continued professional development of qualified practitioners, and for pre-qualifying students new to the area.
Social Work Practice and Intellectual Disability identifies and discusses:
■ the changing definitions of intellectual disability, also called 'learning disability'
■ the theory and practice of working with people with intellectual disabilities and their families
■ the core tasks of assessment, planning, monitoring and review
■ the values of participation and inclusion in action
Illustrated with numerous case studies, discussion points and clear explanations, this addition to the Practical Social Work Series is an indispensable resource. It is ideally suited both for the continued professional development of qualified practitioners, and for pre-qualifying students new to the area.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Work with Disabled People (4th Edition)
Author/s: Michael Oliver, Bob Sapey and Pam Thomas
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Having gone through 30 years of development, the new edition of this highly-regarded classic is the most trusted companion for understanding and promoting the potential for social work with disabled people. It offers readers a clear introduction to the core issues of disability alongside discussion and assessment of the social worker's role. Written by an experienced and highly respected team of authors, the book reflects:
- the latest updates, developments and policy changes
- the broad range of areas needing to be understood for informed practice
- recent changes to the focus of social work education and practice
- the Social Model of Disability, encouraging debate about its role in social work
- developments for independent living
- the heightened importance of safeguarding issues, giving attention to the topical issue of disabilist hate crime.
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social Work with Older People (5th edition)
Author/s: Mo Ray and Judith Phillips
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Revised to emphasise the current policy drive towards personalisation and service user participation in care management, the new edition of Social Work with Older People remains an insightful introductory text. Deliberately taking a critical approach to guide readers to consider stereotypes of aging and work with older people, the new edition presents fundamental knowledge alongside thought-provoking and challenging debates. It offers a new chapter on safeguarding and has been updated to reflect current course requirements:
- Part I introduces the theory, policy and legislation which influences social work contexts
- Part II identifies core elements of practice, for effective interviewing, assessment, planning and intervention
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Working with Abused Children (4th Edition)
Author/s: Celia Doyle
Price: £18.99
Publication date: March 2012
Working with abused children is a demanding and emotionally charged area of practice in which practitioners must balance sensitivity with statutory obligation. This thoroughly updated new edition emphasises the need for a central focus on the child and their perspectives, to ensure safe and effective work with children and their families.Opening with the foundations of good practice, the book goes on to capture the perspectives of children through moving first-hand accounts from abuse survivors. Woven through with frank narratives from the author’s own practice experience, it discusses the importance of assessment and explores interventions through individual, family and group work.
Keeping the voice of the child at its heart, this edition features:
- all-new chapters on transitions from childhood to adulthood, and on the emotional impact for practitioners in the field, including coping strategies and practice guidance
- new perspectives on practice within the context of current policy, including the Every Child Matters legacy and the Munro Review
- a range of supportive features, such as points for reflection, practice examples and further reading resources
CLICK HERE to buy this book directly from Palgrave macmillan
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Youth Work Practice
Edited by: Tony Jeffs & Mark K Smith
Price: £18.99
Publication date: January 2010
As a contemporary reflection on current practice, this book tackles the diversity of what ‘youth work’ means and the challenging yet rewarding job that it is. It offers a meaningful insight into the everyday experiences of a youth worker, written by practitioners themselves.
In a clear conversational style, the text analyses the many aspects of youth work, including activities, group life, making conversation and mentoring, alongside practical guidance to advise on working with today’s young people.
Jeffs and Smith’s previous book, Youth Work (1988), was a seminal text on working with young people. This successor text, Youth
Work Practice is its equal in providing an intriguing update for all those studying or working with young people.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________