Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare : More Than Just Common Sense

Practice Skills in Social Work and Welfare has established itself as the essential text to prepare students for the wide-ranging challenges they will face in today-s human service sector.

This new fourth edition continues the text-s core strength of connecting theory with practical examples to build the reader-s confidence and expertise in key areas of practice.

Part 1 outlines the critical social work and strengths-based practices that underpin the book-s approach and provides the context for learning practice skills in a group setting, during community development projects and with individuals and families.

Part 2 focuses on developing effective relationships with service users, illustrating through realistic scenarios how social work and human service practitioners can apply their practice skills in a range of settings.

In Part 3, the essential elements of client assessment are explored, including risk assessment and cross-cultural perspectives. Issues surrounding intervention are examined in

Part 4 from working with families and groups to challenging constructively and safely, while research, evaluation and facilitating closure are covered in the final part.

This fourth edition is fully revised and updated and features new material on working with technology, Pasifika communities, LGBTQI+ service users and culturally responsive practice.

Jane Maidment is Professor of Social Work at the University of Canterbury, Aotearoa New Zealand, and has had over 25 years of teaching practice skills with social work students.

Ronnie Egan is Associate Professor of Field Education at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. She has specialised in research about social work supervision and practice for graduates and students.

Raewyn Tudor is a senior lecturer and director of field education in the Social Work Department, University of Canterbury, in Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Sharlene Nipperess is a senior lecturer at RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia. Sharlenes teaching and research focus on social work ethics; critical multicultural and human rights-based approaches to practice; the role and impact of technology in social work; and policy and practice relating to displacement, disability family/carer lived experiences and homelessness.