Evidence Based Practices For Social Workers

"Within the context of the growing demands for ethical, legal, and fiscal accountability in psychosocial practices, Evidence-based practice for social workers: an interdisciplinary approach provides a coherent, comprehensive and useful resource for social workers and other human service professionals to help them: 1) conduct clinical assessments informed by current human behavior science; 2) implement interventions supported by current outcome research; and, 3) engage in evaluation as part of daily practice to ensure effective implementation of evidence-based practices. Rather than depicting evidence-based practice as a simple matching of diagnostic categories with intervention methods, the text encourages critical thinking and flexibility guided by best evidence in order to tailor evidence-based practices to individual client needs. The multidimensional and functional approach to assessment is designed to integrate the use of human behavior knowledge with an analysis of each client's unique experiences. Sample assessment/evaluation instruments (contributed by many leading experts) are provided to help practitioners better understand their use as both assessment and evaluation tools. Practice outcome research is summarized and "best practices" are described in considerable detail. Many case studies and sample treatment plans are provided to help the reader translate clinical research into everyday practice. Overall, EBPSW provides practitioners with a thoroughly researched yet practice-oriented resource for learning and implementing effective assessment, intervention and evaluation methods for a wide array of psychosocial disorders and problems-in-living in adults, children and families"--

Within the context of the growing demands for ethical, legal, and fiscal accountability in psychosocial practices, Evidence-Based Practice for Social Workers: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Third Edition provides a coherent, comprehensive and useful resource for social workers and other human service professionals. This fully updated text teaches readers to 1) conduct clinical assessments informed by current human behaviour science; 2) implement interventions supported by current outcome research; and 3) engage in evaluation as part of daily practice to ensure effective implementation of evidence-based practices. Sample assessment/evaluation instruments (contributed by leading experts) allow practitioners and students to better understand their use as both assessment and evaluation tools. Case studies and sample treatment plans help the reader bridge the gap between clinical research and everyday practice. Overall, Evidence-Based Practice for Social Workers provides practitioners and students with a thoroughly researched yet practice-oriented resource for learning and implementing effective assessment, intervention and evaluation methods for a wide array of psychosocial disorders and problems-in-living in adults, children and families.

Evidence-Based Practice in Clinical Social Work introduces the key ideas of evidence-based clinical social work practice and their thoughtful application. It intends to inform practitioners and to address the challenges and needs faced in real world practice. This book lays out the many strengths of the EBP model, but also offers perspectives on its limitations and challenges. An appreciative but critical perspective is offered throughout. Practical issues (agency supports, access to research resources, help in appraising research) are addressed - and some practical solutions offered. Ethical issues in assessment/diagnosis, working with diverse families to make treatment decisions, and delivering complex treatments requiring specific skill sets are also included.

In Evidence-Based Practice for Social Workers, Thomas O'Hare strikes a pragmatic balance between flexibility and adherence to empirical guidelines in performing routine assessments, interventions, and evaluations. The purpose of this book is to address the need for a framework guided by the best evidence to help practitioners who work with clients with difficult and complex psychosocial issues. This fully updated text is a comprehensive guide to applying effective interventions for children, adolescents, and adults experiencing various mental health disorders and problems in living. O'Hare show readers how to combine human behavior knowledge with an analysis of individual clients' needs to conduct accurate assessments, tailor intervention plans, and successfully implement treatment and evaluation in everyday practice.

School Social Work: An Evidence-Informed Framework for Practice offers school social work students and veteran practitioners a new framework for choosing their interventions based on the best available evidence. It is the first work that synthesizes the evidence-based practice (EBP) process with recent conceptual frameworks of school social work clinical practice offered by leading scholars and policymakers. Many other books on EBP try to fit empirically validated treatments into practice contexts without considering the multiple barriers to implementing evidence-based practices in places as complicated and multi-faceted as schools. Additionally, there are vital questions in the literature about what the best levels for intervention are in school social work. Responding to the complexity of applying EBP in schools, this volume offers a conceptual framework that addresses the real-world concerns of practitioners as they work to provide the best services to their school clients. For each domain of school social work practice, the authors critically review interventions, presenting the current research with guidelines for addressing such implementation issues as cost, school culture, adaptations for special populations, and negotiating multiple arenas of practice. In addition, the chapters are grounded in the process of evidence-based practice, illustrating how school practitioners can pose useful questions, search for relevant evidence, appraise the evidence, apply it in keeping with client values, and monitor the results. Written by four school social work scholars with over four decades of theoretical, research, and practice experience, this volume will be relevant to both research faculty studying school social work interventions and students learning about school social work practice.

In Mental Health Social Work, Colin Pritchard draws on his many years of experience in research, teaching and practice in order to explore key issues for social workers who want to work in the mental health field. Mental health social work can be one of the most rewarding and one of the most frustrating areas of social work practice. Social workers need to have a good knowledge of interventions and their evidence bases, from pharmacology to psychotherapy, but also be able to work sensitively and effectively with both clients and carers in a rapidly changing context. Based on a series of case studies and research based practice, the book explores key topics including: the multiple factors affecting mental health the bio-psycho-social model of practice key areas including depression, suicide, schizophrenia and personality disorder the mental healthâ€"child protection interface residential work treatment modalities. Presenting new and challenging research findings in this field, this book will be invaluable reading for undergraduate social work students and for practising social workers.

The role of evidence-based practice is one of most central and controversial issues in social work today. This concise text introduces key concepts and processes of evidence-based practice whilst engaging with contemporary debates about its relevance and practicality. Evidence-based Practice in Social Work provides both an argument for the importance of evidence-based practice in social work and fresh perspectives on its controversies and organizational prerequisites. It gives an accessible overview of: Why evidence-based practice is relevant to social work. The challenges that the realities of social work practice present to models of evidence-based practice. Concepts of evidence-based practice as a process and professional culture. The role and nature of evidence. How evidence-based practice can be implemented and the importance of the organisational context. The globalization of evidence-based practice, including issues of cultural diversity and adaptability of evidence-based interventions. Controversies and criticism of evidence-based practice. Written by internationally well-respected experts, this text is an important read for all those with an interest in the area, from social work students to academics and researchers.

Which Evidence-Based Practice Should I Use? A Social Worker's Handbook for Decision Making provides readers with a step-by-step guide for applying the original evidence-based practice (EBP) model to carefully select interventions from the research base for individual clients. Readers learn how to obtain and integrate information from three key components--the best available evidence; clinical expertise; and the client's characteristics, values, and preferences--to support their choice of an effective intervention for the client. The text employs problem-based learning and case method approaches to teach readers how to access intervention literature; how to evaluate what is "best evidence"; what the research endeavor represents and who it excludes; how to rely on the expertise of the practitioner community; and how to consider the client's view of the problem. Ultimately, readers are guided to select an EBP for a client and write a case paper that articulates the steps they took and the reasoning for their selection. Filled with brief lectures, reflection questions, activities, and case examples, Which Evidence-Based Practice Should I Use? is an ideal text for social work practice and research courses and for mental health practitioners who wish to sharpen their skills for using the evidence base.

Evidence-based practice is now a core element of many governments’ approaches to policy-making and social intervention. It has become a powerful movement that promises to change the content and structure of social work and its allied professions. Its emergence has generated much debate and raised challenging questions, however, particularly at the interface of research, policy, and practice. This book provides a critical analysis of evidence-based practice in social work. It introduces readers to the fast changing research, policy, legislative, and practice context. It discusses what constitutes knowledge in social work, the values and beliefs that lie behind EBP and problems of implementation, formalisation and resource management. Reflecting on the challenges of transferring evidence-based practice to frontline social work practice, the authors argue that social work practice is not easily measured and systematised into best practice guidelines that disseminate proven diagnostic and effective intervention knowledge. Using Actor Network Theory for the first time in the social work literature, Evidence-based Social Work illuminates how adopting the methodology and language of evidence-based practice fundamentally alters the conditions under which social work takes place. This book is vital reading for academics, practitioners, and students with an interest in contemporary social work practice and research.

Featuring an evidence- and strengths-based approach to practice methods, this new text teaches students how to apply social work skills in a variety of settings. Designed to enhance self-awareness, professionalism, ethical reasoning, cultural sensitivity, and an appreciation for social justice issues, this text introduces readers to social work’s core values and practice methods to help them assimilate the skills needed for working in the field. Cases and skills-based exercises demonstrate how to make accurate assessments and design effective intervention plans. After laying the groundwork in theory, values, and ethics, the authors review methods for working with individuals, children, and families from an individual and environmental strengths-based perspective. Client engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation and termination, and documentation are then reviewed. Readers are introduced to the foundational concepts of social work practice and through application learn to successfully work with clients. Key Features Integrates the Council on Social Work Education’s EPAS standards and core competencies throughout, including engagement, assessment, intervention, evaluation, social justice, ethics, critical thinking, professional conduct and decision making, and cultural competency and diversity. Case scenarios in client interview format that closely resemble actual interactions, followed by questions, test readers’ understanding of the practice skills needed to work in the field. Skill-building exercises including individual and group activities, role plays, simulations, and discussion questions that provide an opportunity to apply one’s knowledge and skill sets. Personal reflections that encourage students to examine their own beliefs to help them assimilate social work ethics and values into their professional demeanor. Icons throughout the text that draw attention to useful tips for developing direct practice skills. A strengths-based approach that heightens understanding and results in a higher level of proficiency in the change process. Introduces challenging situations often encountered in practice to help readers acquire the more advanced practice skills necessary for assessment and intervention. Resources including PowerPoints, test questions, sample syllabi, and suggested answers to text exercises and discussion questions.