Exploring Social Work

Providing a reflexive anthropological account of social work, this original book widens our insights into the multi-faceted identity of social workers and different cultures of social work, offering an array of thought-provoking international insights into how social work practitioners view society, how their world views can affect their practice and how wider society views them. Considering the growing influence of clinical science and cultural representations of their work, Bell critically examines the changes and challenges in social workers’ preoccupations and contributions to society. Going to the heart of identities and definitions in social work, this book is refreshing reading for academics, researchers, students and practitioners alike.

Exploring Boundaries in Social Work Practice: The Space In Between is designed to create opportunities for social work students and professionals to explore and expand their awareness about boundary development and expression in the context of professional helping. The book is focused on the client-social worker relationship and presents a universally understood definition of professional boundaries. Readers learn about the factors that inform how boundaries are interpreted by clients, discover opportunities to explore and clarify boundary expression, and receive practical guidance on ethical decision-making according to the NASW Code of Ethics. Discussion is interwoven throughout the book regarding the practice of ongoing self-assessment, supervision, and consultation to ensure self-awareness as the foundation for maintaining healthy professional boundaries. The book underscores the benefits of clear boundaries and also highlights how unhealthy or unclear boundaries can potentially harm clients, influence professional burnout, and have far-reaching implications for the social work profession. The text features self-reflection opportunities, practice exercises, discussion questions, and case examples to inspire self-inquiry, critical thinking, problem-solving, group discussion, and consultation. Emphasizing self-awareness and practical application, Exploring Boundaries in Social Work Practice is an essential resource for social work students and professionals.

"This book is well written and inclusive with a realistic approachto problems encountered in schools today. Practical and useableinterventions are included which makes this text a valuableresource to the school social worker." -Terry Housteau-Hill, LSCW, Lead Consultant, Knox County SchoolSocial Services "An invaluable resource . . . [and] extremelyreader-friendly." -Michelle Alvarez, MSW, LCSW, Assistant Professor, School of SocialWork University of Southern Indiana School Social Work thoroughly covers all aspects of this burgeoningfield, from the history and function of school social workers andup-to-date, empirically and developmentally supported interventionsto effective methods for implementing and evaluating school socialwork programs. Educational policy and legislation, community-basedinterventions, and prevention programs are also covered. Supported by case vignettes and discussion questions that engagethe reader in every chapter, this book: * Provides proven and promising programs for change in classrooms,schools, families, neighborhoods, and communities * Equips you with the knowledge and skills necessary to functioneffectively in the unique political environment of the school * Outlines the school social worker's essential role as aconsultant to faculty and administrators as well as creator andmediator of school and community collaborations that enhance theacademic success of at-risk students In addition, this book provides current assessment methods forevaluating the effectiveness of interventions; recently developedstandardized measures designed to assess change at the classroom,school, family, neighborhood, and community levels; guidelines forsuccessfully planning, implementing, and evaluating new programsbased on Comprehensive Quality Programming (CQP) strategies; anddetailed information on the most current student-focused violenceprevention programs. Complete with lists of Internet resources and other references atthe end of each chapter, School Social Work is a valuable tool forstudents and a hands-on resource for school social workers,psychologists, counselors, and administrators.

Captures the unique moment in time created by the Covid-19 pandemic and uses this as a lens to explore contemporary issues for social work education and practice. The 2020 coronavirus pandemic provided an unprecedented moment of global crisis, which placed health and social care at the forefront of the national agenda. The lockdown, social distancing measures and rapid move to online working created multiple challenges and safeguarding concerns for social work education and practice, whilst the unparalleled death rate exacerbated pre-existing problems with communicating openly about death and bereavement. Many of these issues were already at the surface of social work practice and education and this book examines how the health crisis has exposed these, whilst acting as a potential catalyst for change. This book acts as a testament to the historical moment whilst providing a forum for drawing together discussion from contemporary educators, practitioners and users of social work services.

Providing a reflexive anthropological account of social work, this original book widens our insights into the multi-faceted identity of social workers and different cultures of social work, offering an array of thought-provoking international insights into how social work practitioners view society, how their world views can affect their practice and how wider society views them. Considering the growing influence of clinical science and cultural representations of their work, Bell critically examines the changes and challenges in social workers’ preoccupations and contributions to society. Going to the heart of identities and definitions in social work, this book is refreshing reading for academics, researchers, students and practitioners alike.

This book was written to help social work educators make pedagogically sound, rational, practical, and ethical decisions about integrating technology into their social work programs and across the curriculum. It covers a range of essential topics, from understanding digital literacy skills to ethical implications for technology in social work practice; from technology in the traditional classroom to fully online teaching environments. Case studies, real-world examples, and technology tips are part of each chapter, and checklists show how technology is integrated with the Council on Social Work Education's EPAS competencies, the NASW's Code of Ethics, and other social work practice standards and guidelines. Appendices provide a wealth of practical materials.

"'Why I am a social worker' describes the rich diversity and nature of the profession of social work through the 25 stories of daily lives and professional journeys chosen to represent the different people, groups and human situations where social workers serve. Many social workers of faith express that they feel 'called' to help people--sometimes a specific population of people such as abused children or people who live in poverty. Often they describe this calling as a way of living out their faith. 'Why I am a social worker' serves as a resource for Christians in social work as they reflect on their sense of calling, and provides direction to guide them in this process. 'Why I am a social worker' employs a narrative, descriptive approach, allowing the relationship between faith and practice to emerge through the professional life stories of social workers who are Christians. As such, it provides a way to explore integration on personal, emotional and practical levels."--Back cover.

Taking a new and innovative angle on social work, this book seeks to remedy the lack of holistic perspectives currently used in Western social work practice by exploring Indigenous and other culturally diverse understandings and experiences of healing. This book examines six core areas of healing through a holistic lens that is grounded in a decolonizing perspective. Situating integrative healing within social work education and theory, the book takes an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from social memory and historical trauma, contemplative traditions, storytelling, healing literatures, integrative health, and the traditional environmental knowledge of Indigenous Peoples. In exploring issues of water, creative expression, movement, contemplation, animals, and the natural world in relation to social work practice, the book will appeal to all scholars, practitioners, and community members interested in decolonization and Indigenous studies.

The criminal justice system, with its complex policies and procedures and its focus on deterrence, punishment, and rehabilitation, can be a difficult system to understand. Social Work Practice in the Criminal Justice System presents an overview of the criminal justice system, exploring the network of systems which comprise it. Integrating social work values and a commitment to social justice, this textbook explores how social workers can practice to address social problems within the criminal justice system and promotes the development of knowledge, skills and critical reflection in this increasingly important area of practice. In addition to covering the four key areas for social work practice – law enforcement, courts, corrections, and legislation – it covers: Alternative programs and services Special populations – such as juveniles, women and sex offenders Special topics – such as reoffending, wrongful conviction and racial disparities The application of evidence-based practice principles in criminal justice. Looking at the challenges and opportunities of social work practice in the criminal justice system, this is the ideal text for social work instructors, students and practitioners working with or within the criminal justice system. Each chapter includes a summary of social work practice implications, key terms, and suggested further reading.