The long awaited new edition of this hugely popular text has been heavily revised to reflect the current needs of students on the first year of their social work degree. With ten new chapters and a wealth of expert contributors, this text looks exclusively and in detail at the topics that matter.

Introduction; R.Adams, L.Dominelli & M.Payne.- Towards a Critical Understanding of Social Work; R.Adams, L.Dominelli & M.Payne.- PART 1: KNOWLEDGE FOR SOCIAL WORK PRACTICE.- Positioning Social Work; L.Dominelli.- The Changing Nature of Social Work; V.Cree.- Values, Ethics and Social Work; S.Shardlow.- Anti-oppressive Practice; L.Dominelli.- The Wider Significance of Social Work; B.Jordan.- Social Policy, Poverty and Social Work; A.Walker & C.Walker.- Social Work and the Law; M.Preston-Shoot & S.Braye .- Social Work and Organisations; S.Perrott.- Perspectives on the Life Course: Childhood and Adolescence; G.Misca.- Perspectives on the Life Course; Later Life; R.Adams, L.Dominelli & M.Payne.- Researching Social Work; H.McLaughlin.- PART 2: SOCIAL WORK PROCESS.- Understanding the Social Work Process; M.Payne.- Communication in Social Work; P.Hanley.- Working with Service Users and Carers; H.Charnley, G.Roddam & j.Simmons.- Assessment; N.Baldwin.- Planning; M.Holloway.- Intervention; N.Horner.- Intervention and Empowerment; B.Burke & J.Dalrymple.- Alternative Intervention: the Mind-body-spirit Perspective; S.Man Ng C.Chan.- Monitoring, Review and Evaluation; L.Bell & M.Payne.- PART 3: THE PRACTICE ENVIRONMENT.- Working with Children, Young People and Families; R.Adams.- Adult Services and Health-related Social Work; M.Payne.- Working with the Voluntary and Community Sectors; M.Payne.- Practice Planning; J.Tilling.- Personal and Professional Development; J.Lishman.- Concluding Comments; R.Adams, L.Dominelli & M.Payne.

Social Work: Themes, Issues and Critical Debates, one of the most respected and widely used textbooks in social work, has now been completely revised and updated. With its accessible and clearly structured framework, the book offers expert discussion of the core topics in social work by top writers, teachers and practitioners in the field. It provides an essential grounding in the debates that shape the profession, as well as a clear insight into the issues at the heart of practice. What makes this highly regarded and bestselling book stand out from other texts?- Its range, authority and theoretical integrity- Its clear and effective structure, which reflects major shifts in teaching and makes it easy to use across modules- The importance it lays on practice-based learning and on developing core practice skills such as communication, assessment and intervention- Its value as a springboard to further reading (including extensive guidance on further print and electronic sources)- Its compact size – perfect for readers who are travelling between campus and practice settings. This is one of three interrelated books edited by the internationally renowned and widely published team, Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli and Malcolm Payne. The companion books are Critical Practice in Social Work (second edition) and Practising Social Work in a Complex World. Each book can be used alone or in combination with the other two as a uniquely flexible and comprehensive programme of study.

Praise for this edition: 'It is refreshing to see an excellent text updated and improved so clearly.' -Chris Kelly, School of Health and Social Care, Bournemouth University, UK 'This book forms part of an excellent triology of interrelated books...an invaluable book which is and will be a 'must have' for all social work students. As the blurb on the cover states it is no wonder that for many it is the 'social work bible'. - Practice: Social Work in Action 'As accessible and as readable as ever.' -Elaben Mistry Jackson, Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, University of Bradford, UK Praise for the second edition 'A comprehensive second edition of what has become our most popular text for social work students, some of whom refer to it as the 'social work bible' -Debbie Williams, Glyndwr University, Wales, UK 'Excellent introductory reader that is a 'must' for all social work first year trainees.' -Professor Andrew Pithouse, School of Social Sciences, Cardiff University, UK Praise for the first edition '...extremely good value for money; an essential for everyone's shelves.' -British Journal of Social Work

REVIEWS OF PREVIOUS EDITION '...extremely good value for money; an essential for everyone's shelves.' - British Journal of Social Work 'A comprehensive second edition of what has become our most popular text for social work students, some of whom refer to it as the 'social work bible' - Debbie Williams, Glyndwr University, UK

First volume in a trilogy of books that have set a 'gold standard' in social work publishing for their range, depth and quality.All star castEdited by the internationally respected Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli and Malcolm Payne. High profile contributors include Viviene Cree, Steven Shardlow, Joyce Lishman, Bill Jordan and Michael PrestonShoot.Student friendlyEach book is designed to reflect typical course structures, with emphasis on both skills and critical thinking/practice.Richness of case material offers a resource for seminar discussion and helps students to engage at a personal level with the complexity of practice.Strong teaching frameworkThe trilogy offers academic rigour as well as accessibility of structure and style. Each of the books are used as core texts on social work degrees and allow a comprehensiveness that single volumes cannot attain.Their modular relationship offers flexibility for students but also continuity of thinking and debate across an unparalleled range of topics.