In The Shadow Of The Law The Legal Context Of Social Work Practice

All those who work in the human services sector are constrained in what can be done by legislative and statutory requirements, and by the ethical imperatives of the legal system. Social workers, however, need to not just know the law, but to understand how law and legal systems can be utilised.

This popular and innovative core text book explores contemporary social work theories and perspectives in a systematic way, using an integrated and flexible framework to link context, theory, and practice approaches. Healy expertly provides an applied guide to social work theory across a range of organisational contexts, showing social work as a diverse activity that is profoundly shaped by professional purpose, public policy, and practice locations. This edition has been comprehensively updated to reflect developments in the contexts and theorising of social work practices. This is ideal reading to support and develop undergraduate and postgraduate students taking modules on Social Work Theories and Methods on qualifying professional programmes. Its international breadth and supportive pedagogical features have ensured the book's value to students of social work all over the world. New to this edition: - New sections on post-humanism and eco-social work - Coverage of a broader range of critical approaches including feminist and anti-racial social work - Additional practice exercises drawn from realistic case studies.

This fully revised fourth edition of a well-respected textbook seeks to build social workers' confidence in legal interpretation and implementation - practitioners must not only know the law; they must also have a critical appreciation of its implications for human rights, civil liberties and social justice. With a focus on promoting knowledge and skills in recognising, locating and articulating legal issues, it also demonstrates how the law can be used to inform practice standards and deliver positive outcomes for service users. This is essential reading for social work law modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level. Practitioners and educators will also find it an invaluable resource to guide them through a complex, yet vital, aspect of their work.“br/> New to this Edition: - Combines up-to-date statute, case law and guidance with extended practice examples and questions for reflection

This new edition of Social Work Practice in Mental Health builds on the underpinning principles of the previous editions whilst reflecting how the context for practice has steadily evolved. Organised into two parts and 11 chapters, the book focuses on recovery theory, the importance of relationship and examining the social context and the consequences of illness. It explores the perspectives of consumers and family carers in shaping practice together with a focus on skills including assessment and risk assessment, working in a multidisciplinary team, working with trauma, working within a legal framework and spirituality in practice. The book also maintains the key themes from previous editions of valuing lived experience and the importance of relationships. This book will be essential reading for social work students and an invaluable resource for practitioners in social work and mental health.

Social work is a profession that is increasingly involved with issues which have a global dimension. This Handbook tackles the global/local aspect of social work in its various forms and interrogates the key concerns that societies are facing through an international lens. The contributors show that, with an appreciation of commonalities and differences, local practices and appropriate forms of international activity can be better developed. Areas covered include: - Analysis of ′International social work′ - Globalisation and indigenisation - Social justice and human rights - Poverty and livelihoods - Ecological issues - Migration - Education, theory, research and practice - Social work in different settings - Religion and spirituality - Responses to disasters and conflicts - Life course perspectives - Regional perspectives - Future directions With a truly international range of contributions, the Handbook incorporates perspectives from Asia, Africa, Europe, Australasia, the Middle East and the Americas. It will be an invaluable resource for undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and academics working in the fields of social work, social welfare, human services, and community development worldwide, as well as service providers and policy makers in the international arena.

The human services are established to support the most vulnerable and marginalised people in our society. Yet media and other reports frequently highlight a disturbing picture of industry failures, malpractice and abuse. This book addresses the response of legal and quasi-legal bodies to human service failures. It outlines those areas of law which are most likely to be activated by human service shortcomings, and those aspects of direct human service delivery which are most likely to attract legal attention. Essential reading for those studying or working in human services and social work, this book is designed to alert people to the legal risks arising as a result of inadequate human service delivery.

Currently there is an enduring and changing meaning of social work in a world where new crises are being confronted and new opportunities are arriving in the evolving context of social work and the related disciplines. There is a question on how to manage the transformation of social work both productively and creatively during this global shift. Practitioners and educators can experience a tragic disorientation when confronted by the diversity and depth of these crises endured and can face doubts about their role in social work throughout all these changes and difficult situations. Alternatives to this disorientation, a comfort with uncertainty, and a capability to take risks need to urgently be developed on a professional and personal level for success in the evolving field. Through historical lens and a review of policies and value-based approaches, the recontextualization of social work can be explored. Practical and Political Approaches to Recontextualizing Social Work explores practical and political ways in which social work practice has been reconstructed. Chapters identify this recontextualization of social work and how it is changing, adapting, and transforming the profession along with providing the potential implications for the profession. This book grants insight on the reconstruction of social work on the personal and interpersonal level (“case” work) and also on those intending to impact social work on the local/global environment level in all dimensions: politically, economically, socially, and ecologically. In addition, the book includes a shift from the present short-term and micro/personal view to a future and much broader and encompassing perspective and practice vision. This book is essential for social workers, practitioners, policymakers, government officials, researchers, academicians, and students who want to learn more about the recontextualizing of modern social work in a shifting global environment.