Many social work students find the study of mental health legislation a complex and at times challenging process. Acts of law can seem irrelevant and far-removed from everyday practice and the person-centred approach that many social workers take. This book introduces students to the fundamental principles of mental health law and how they can be applied to everyday practice. There are clear introductions to key Acts such as the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act as well as the relevant Codes of Practice. These introductions, applied to social work case examples from practice, make...

Many social work students find the study of mental health legislation a complex and at times challenging process. Acts of law can seem irrelevant and far-removed from everyday practice and the person-centred approach that many social workers take. This book introduces students to the fundamental principles of mental health law and how they can be applied to everyday practice. There are clear introductions to key Acts such as the Mental Capacity Act and the Mental Health Act as well as the relevant Codes of Practice. These introductions, applied to social work case examples from practice, make...

An understanding of social policy is crucial for social workers as it underpins and shapes the legislative framework that they work within. From safeguarding service users and enabling them to improve their lives, to protecting the most vulnerable in society, social policy also has a vital role to play within social work education. It is important therefore for students to engage critically with social policy. This book introduces policy and shows how it has changed and evolved over time, how it reflects changes in society and how it is applied to everyday practice.

Social work research often focuses on qualitative designs and many students believe that the quantitative research pathway is either too complicated or is beyond their grasp. This book outlines how social work students can undertake a research project from either a qualitative, quantitative or mixed methodological approach. The authors introduce key concepts in an accessible and structured manner and go on to demonstrate each of the approaches from inception of research idea, to realisation of methodological approach, to research process, to data analysis and conclusion.

More than just...

'An excellent introduction to social work with children and families. It links practice with legislation and highlights relevant research findings'. - Mr Dan Burrows, Cardiff School of Health Sciences, Cardiff Metropolitan University

Working with children and families is one of the most challenging, skilled, but ultimately rewarding, areas of social work practice. Social workers need to be able to work with a diverse group of children and their families: from babies to teenagers, single parents to two-parent families and multi-carer families, as well as with a...

Following the lives of four fictional time-travelling characters, it examines the changing functions of social work by unpicking the changing social and political responses to their needs. From its historical roots to the modern and fast-moving profession it has become, this book looks in detail at how social work has evolved as a profession, what social work looks like in recent years and where it is heading. There are key chapters on working with different service user groups including vulnerable adults, children and families and those with learning difficulties or having to live with...

Following the lives of four fictional time-travelling characters, it examines the changing functions of social work by unpicking the changing social and political responses to their needs. From its historical roots to the modern and fast-moving profession it has become, this book looks in detail at how social work has evolved as a profession, what social work looks like in recent years and where it is heading. There are key chapters on working with different service user groups including vulnerable adults, children and families and those with learning difficulties or having to live with...

Split into three parts, this book considers what is meant by disadvantage and marginalisation, how this can come about and the impact this may have on lives, before unpicking the key knowledge and skills needed to practice effectively with individuals and groups.