Understanding Social Work: Preparing for Practice

by Neil Thompson

Focusing on the challenges of achieving good practice, this popular textbook reflects recent developments in social work within the context of contemporary society, law and policy. Getting to the heart of what this profession is all about, Understanding Social Work continues to offer an excellent foundation for readers for anyone wanting a better understanding of the social work role. What is social work? How is it carried out? What skills does it require?

New to this
- Updates include new material on the importance of social media, resilience, the impact of austerity, rising case-loads, and the increase pressure on social workers

Genres: Social Work, Academic, Nonfiction

202 pages, Paperback

First published March 3, 2000

Reviews

[Max]

As a social work student, this book helped me understand the complexities of social work and its inherent challenges. Social work changes because of societal factors, and it really taught me the basis of social work. This book isn't here to give you a clear-cut way to be a social worker, but rather to think about your values and how to proceed as a social worker.

This book had some spelling errors, and I have an issue with "This chapter will teach you..." so that is why I gave it a four rather than a five. Other than that, I recommend this book to social work students or current social workers. However, people who aren't in the UK one of the chapters will not apply to you.

[B N]

Intelligent, academic, educational.

[Andreea]

Good for social work students, explains concepts well, complete book with useful examples.

[Kirsten Arding]

I'm preparing to start studying social work so this gave me a really good understanding of the workings of a SW.

[Lando Gallrisian]

As someone who was interested in pursuing a career in social work, I picked up this book as a means to become better acquainted with the practice, before beginning my first semester. It is informative, honest, and gives good direction to further readings that can enhance the understanding of the philosophical challenges in the profession. This is a great supplement to any introduction to social work course.