Forensic Social Work

This extensively revised edition reviews the latest research and practices in forensic social work. Readers learn to integrate socio-legal knowledge when working with diverse populations in a variety of settings. Noted interdisciplinary contributors review the most common forensic issues encountered in the field to better prepare readers to deal with the resulting financial, psychological, emotional, and legal ramifications. Using a human rights and social justice approach, the book demonstrates the use of a forensic lens when working with individuals, families, organizations, and communities that struggle with social justice issues. Each chapter features objectives, competencies, Voices From the Field, a conclusion, exercises, and additional resources. The book is ideal for MSW and BSW courses in forensic social work as well as forensic/legal courses taught in criminal justice and psychology. Practitioners working in a variety of settings who must have a working knowledge of forensic social work will also appreciate this comprehensive overview of the field. Key Features: Highlights working with various populations such as minorities, immigrants, veterans, the elderly, LGBTQ individuals, people with disabilities, substance abusers, trauma survivors, and more. Reviews the field’s conceptual and historical foundation and pertinent laws to better prepare readers for professional practice (Part I). Introduces the most common forensic issues encountered when working in various settings, including health care, social and protective services, the child welfare system, the criminal justice system, school systems, immigration services, addiction treatment facilities, and more (Part II). Provides a wealth of practical guidance via case studies and interviewing, assessment, and intervention tips. Voices From the Field written by seasoned practitioners introduce common situations readers are likely to encounter. New to this Edition: Highlights the 2015 Council on Social Work Education’s (CSWE) Policies and Accreditation Standards throughout the text. Greatly expanded coverage from 26 to 33 chapters with more information on health care, housing, employment, the juvenile and criminal justice system, adult protective services, and the dynamics of oppression. New Part III dedicated t

This book draws upon the Colorado Model of Criminal Defense-Based Forensic Social Work – a holistic, client-centered, collaborative approach that uses a trauma-informed care framework – to outline the numerous roles and skills of a forensic social worker. The comprehensive, developmentally informed model employs a past (e.g., mitigation themes and life history compilation), present (e.g., client contact and current functioning support), and future (e.g., reentry services) framework to provide mitigation narratives for defendants and to create a comprehensive approach to service. The text starts with an overview of practice standards, ethical considerations, and legal frameworks. Next, chapters examine the unique roles that a forensic social worker must take on and the skills they need to possess. These include using clinical interventions with clients in nonclinical settings, working with clients of different identities and backgrounds, assisting with reentry planning for incarcerated clients, and collaborating with experts outside of the defense team. Finally, the authors provide strategies for practitioners to engage in their own self-care. Interwoven with four case studies using the Colorado Model, this book will be valuable reading for graduate schools of social work, law school programs which have clinics or direct practice components to legal studies, and at defender agencies who contract with or employ social workers on staff.

Forensic Social Work-Short Stories is a series of actual events that occurred in the life of Forensic Social Worker, Doug Roberts. It chronicles the perils of testifying in Court and some of the mistakes made in working with the Criminal Justice System and some of the clients who try, and at timed succeed in manipulating the system to their advantage. A must read for any social worker who has ever had to appear in Court and wishes never to be there again.

"[T]his book provides practical practice guidance as well as...interviewing and assessment tips....[A]n invaluable source of information for students, practitioners, researchers and educators." -Karen M. Sowers, PhD Dean, University of Tennessee College of Social Work Regardless of their field of practice, all social workers must understand how legal issues impact the financial, psychological, emotional, and social concerns that their clients face. Yet legal issues are rarely integrated in social work education in a meaningful and practical way. Therefore, it is imperative that social workers gain the interdisciplinary knowledge of the laws and policies that affect their client populations. This groundbreaking text broadens the traditional definition of forensic social work to include the legal issues encountered in all social work settings-family and social services, education, child welfare, mental health, addiction treatment, juvenile and criminal systems, and immigration services. Advocating a collaborative approach, this book will allow social workers to navigate the complex social and legal issues that affect their clients. Includes discussions of the common legal issues all social workers face: How to help meet basic client needs such as income, food, and shelter Policies and practice with victims of violence The relationship between school social work and the law Assessment and treatment of child abuse and neglect The legal needs of clients with mental health and addiction issues Forensic practice in juvenile and criminal justice systems Effective practice with immigrants, refugees, and victims of human trafficking Digital instructor's materials available upon request. Email [email protected] to gain immediate access to: Forensic Interviewing Best Practices sample Psychiatric Evaluation sample Rapid Psychosocial Assessment Checklist Sample Syllabus for Forensic Social Work Courses Strengths-based Psychosocial Assessment and Treatment Planning Outline

Examine cutting-edge research on the social worker’s role in the legal system! Social Work and the Law: Proceedings of the National Organization of Forensic Social Work, 2000 addresses the issues and concerns facing social workers who deal with law and the legal system. This comprehensive research collection is essential for providing diagnosis, treatment, and recommendations on legal issues and litigation, both criminal and civil. The findings are invaluable for social workers called upon for consultation, education, and training insights when dealing with legal personnel. As the relatively new field of forensic social work grows, the issues related to its expansion become more complex. Social Work and the Law presents thoughtful commentary on those issues, taken from cutting-edge research findings on the links between animal, child, and domestic abuse; the psychology of stalkers (and their targets); empowering the drug courts; determining competency to stand trial; and much more! Vital for social work practitioners, the book is also an important resource for medical, legal, and criminal justice professionals, educators, and counselors. Social Work and the Law is a valuable guide for anyone dealing with: the assessment and treatment of criminal and juvenile justice populations the civil rights of the mentally ill and mentally impaired the social work aspects of marriage, divorce, and annulment the termination of parental rights and much more! More and more, social workers will need legal knowledge as they advocate for clients who have legal problems and/or are involved in the judicial system. Social Work and the Law provides essential information on dealing with issues confronted by the civil and criminal justice systems.

"Forensic social work is a unique practice field that interfaces with criminal justice or legal systems at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels of practice. This Handbook provides important reference content while exploring the multiple facets of the justice system, the differential nature of people, families, and communities navigating it, and the various ways social workers interface with the criminal justice system and associated client populations. The Handbook is an accessible resource for social workers that synthesizes current research and practice in forensic areas"--

This text provides graduate students going into the social work field with real world and practical information about what it is really like to work as a social worker. Each chapter presents a true picture of what to expect as a front-line social worker in the given practice setting.

Explore the legalities and pitfalls of forensic social work!Forensic Social Work: Legal Aspects of Professional Practice, Second Edition examines the professional specialty of forensic social work which involves testifying in court as an expert witness, investigating cases of possible criminal conduct, and assisting the legal system in such issues as child custody disputes, divorce, child support, juvenile delinquency, spouse or child abuse, and placing individuals in mental hospitals. As a student or professional social worker, you will explore a variety of ethical and legal issues, such as malpractice, licensing, credentialing, marketing for forensic clients, and presenting effective courtroom testimony. Current and fact-filled, this new edition discusses the origins of forensic social work and offers implications for future practice.New material in this edition includes a chapter on how to establish a forensic social work practice, with information on how to bring in clients, generate new referrals and make other important contacts. Another new chapter expands on the first edition's discussion of implanted memory versus recovered memory and the ways that social workers use and often misuse this information. A third new chapter examines credentialing requirements for forensic social work. Forensic Social Work details legal conflicts you may face and offers suggestions on how to deal with these situations. Rich with examples, some aspects of forensic social work that you will learn about are: separating the role of the expert witness from the role of the fact witness while testifying understanding the motivations, payments, and positive incentives for entering the field of forensic social work avoiding malpractice lawsuits by understanding the criteria for liability guidelines for action when laws and ethics collide preparing for litigation duty-to-warn laws writing reports and contracts for the litigious society using the problem-oriented (SOAP) record distinguishing implanted memory from recovered memory and understanding how witnesses and social workersmay misuse remembered information Complete with a glossary, case examples, and information on how to obtain clients, new referrals, and other contacts, Forensic Social Work gives you a thorough look at the profession of forensic social work. You will explore the legal and ethical issues that come with this profession, learn the credentials needed to become a forensic social worker, and discover how to adequately market yourself in the field. Forensic Social Work will prepare you for the circumstances that may arise and help you to professionally and successfully overcome future challenges.

Helping social workers understand how to operate within the complex legal environment. Social Work and Law exposes students to the ways in which social work and law intersect. Students will explore the judiciary's contributions to important social policy issues and the knowledge social workers need to effectively participate in the judicial process. An introductory unit presents basic legal concepts, describes the workings of the court system, and shares strategies for avoiding malpractice. The units that follow cover a variety of topics to give instructor's options for their course and allow students to study their interests. These topics include issues related to children, domestic violence, older adults, the death penalty, health, discrimination, LGBT rights, and the rights of students and immigrants. Upon completing this book readers will be able to: Understand how social workers operate within the complex legal environment Identify the role of law in shaping human experience and explore how competent social work practice can influence legal processes and outcomes Examine how law and social work intersect in relation to particular populations and fields of practice Assess the conformity of judicial decisions with social work values and ethics, while understanding the underpinnings of judicial decisions and why they might differ from social work decision-making Distinguish between case law and statutory law, understand the role of each, and recognize how their dynamic interaction contributes to the development of social policy Note: MySearchLab does not come automatically packaged with this text. To purchase MySearchLab, please visit: www.mysearchlab.com or you can purchase a ValuePack of the text + MySearchLab (at no additional cost): ValuePack ISBN-10: 0205223508 / ValuePack ISBN-13: 9780205223503.

This is a case book of examples essential for the novice and seasoned social worker who wishes to gain a better understanding of psychosocial evaluations through examples of forensic completed cases.