Product Description

Social work is a challenging yet rewarding career. It involves dealing with a range of people and situations and requires knowledge, skill and a commitment to important professional values. This well-written book, from one of social work's most highly respected authors, provides an informative and thought-provoking introduction to what it is to be a successful social worker. Focusing on the challenges of achieving good practice, this new edition incorporates extensive updates. It reflects recent developments in social work within the context of contemporary society, law and policy. It also features a wide variety of practice examples and new 'Voice of Experience' quotes, giving readers an exciting insight into the job of today's practitioners. Described as a 'must-have' by current students, this popular text continues to offer an excellent foundation for readers considering a career in social work; students in the early stages of training; and anyone wanting a better understanding of the social work role.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #40300 in Books
• Published on: 2009-06-30
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 256 pages

About the Author
NEIL THOMPSON has recently become the Director of the Institute for Applied Social Sciences at Liverpool Hope University, UK, where he holds a part-time post as Professor of Social Work and Well-being. He is also the Director of Avenue Consulting Ltd, a company offering training and consultancy services to a wide range of organisations. He has several best-selling Palgrave Macmillan titles to his name and is the co-author of the recently published Social Work Companion in the Palgrave Companions series.

Customer Reviews

Essential for all prospective and practicing social work students
This book was recommended to me by a 2nd year social work student who said that I would need it when I start the course next september, but it would be really helpful to read before hand for the interview and background reading etc. However I was put off by the price.

I have 'Critical Issues', 'law and social work' and some other introduction-style books and I have become either worryingly confused or bored as I couldnt understand what they were saying! They used a lot of difficult language, esp 'critical issues', and i eventually get frustrated and throw it at the bookshelf.

This one couldnt be more different. Neil Thompson is wonderful at explaining the role of a social worker and things they must understand to practice effectively, eg social policy, values, etc.

Saying this, it probably might be a bit beginner level for trained social workers or maybe 3rd year students, but those like me who are interested in the basics of the practice, without all the showey buzz words, will really appreciate this guide, esp the chapters 'making sense of social work', 'skills base' and 'achieving good practice', well theyre all good but these have really cleared up a lot of things to me.

I would also recommend the latest edition of collins social work dictionary. I have also found this to be a great resource. Its great because if you are reading a more difficult social work book or come across a word or topic that you dont know you can look it up within seconds. I'd imagine this would prove v useful in a lecture too as a quick reference so you can understand what the lecturer is on about for the rest of the hour.

Back to Thompson, if you're interested in social work it is a must book to have. Its has helped me so much and, despite the initial cost, will be invaluable in a uni interview situation. In your first couple of years in uni too, it has some great condensed tips for theory and practice.

Well, well worth it.

An esay read for the new student
Having been asked by my University to read other Social Work books for my first year, they were all hard going, except this one. This is a book everyone should be able to understand, follow and learn from. No big fancy words to bog you down. A must for students and qualified Social Workers.

The bible of social work
An excellent text for students and a guide book for the qualified social worker. A great summary of all areas of the profession.