Social work practice with children, young people and families is complex, highly skilled - and fascinating. Writing about social work increasingly acknowledges the complexities and uncertainties of practice but rarely features the voice of the social worker themselves. This book takes a different approach, that of Critical Best Practice: a constructive, realistic and strengths-based approach that takes as its starting point the telling and analysing of in depth stories about 'live' practice.
The reader is encouraged to join the social work practitioner or manager as they engage with the everyday dilemmas and uncertainties of 21st century practice. Ten narratives, based round the themes of relationships, risk, and negotiation & problem solving provide varied opportunities for critical reflection and learning about social work in different contexts. Insights are offered into social work with children, from young babies to adolescents, and families with differing needs in different parts of the UK: England, Scotland and Wales.
1. Introduction; Andy Rixon, Barry Cooper and Jean Gordon
2. Telling Stories: A journey into narratives of practice; Barry Cooper, Jean Gordon and Andy Rixon
PART I: RELATIONSHIPS
3. Relationships; Andy Rixon
4. Relationships in intensive short term work; Niall Casserley and Andy Rixon
5. Relationships in a therapeutic context; Michelle Hyams-Ssekasi and Andy Rixon
6. Managing relationships; Michael Waite and Andy Rixon
PART II: RISK, UNCERTAINTY AND JUDGEMENT
7. Working with risk: Fine judgements and difficult decisions; Jean Gordon
8. Assessing risk: A team approach; Suzanne Lyus, Wendy Wyatt-Thomas and Jean Gordon with Jayne Strange and Becky Hopkins
9. 'Trying to get it right' with David: Addressing the risk of sexually harmful behaviour; Jock Mickshik and Jean Gordon
10. Myra: A balancing act; Clive Rosenthal and Jean Gordon
11. Taking risks with Alannah; Marie Brown and Jean Gordon
PART III: POWER, NEGOTIATION AND PROBLEM-SOLVING
12. Power and negotiation in practice: From problems to solutions; Barry Cooper
13. Negotiation and resistance: It's all about the child; Naomi Gillard and Barry Cooper
14. Negotiation without power: Mediating post-adoption contact arrangements in a Facebook world; Jenny Jackson and Barry Cooper
15. Negotiating solutions; Pat Barrow and Barry Cooper
Conclusion; Jean Gordon, Andy Rixon and Barry Cooper
References.
