Description
Book SynopsisThe second edition of this key text renews its challenge to the established social work culture of managerialism and effectiveness, arguing that existing social work provision can fail the people it aims to support and protect. This second edition of Social Work Management and Practice: Systems Principles, which was first published in 1989, has now been extensively revised, and reflects the development of both systems ideas and policy implementation since that time.
The authors apply the latest systems principles to the practice and management of social work. Drawing on Gregory Bateson's work, they show how creative social work can bring about real and positive change in the ecology of people's lives. This edition contains one new chapter analysing the competencies approach in social work training and updates the family therapy developments, and contains substantial new material on management. This powerful and accessible book demonstrates how a systems-based approach can support people in using their own resources to make new and innovative responses to difficult situations.
Trade ReviewIn a context where the old monolithic services have been broken up and new organisations, such as primary care groups, are in their nascent stages, Bilson and Ross' book, which tries to get us out of thinking in a straight line and towards focussing on patterns and connections, is very welcome. This book will be very useful for both tutors and students on Diploma in Social Work courses, and practitioners taking on post-qualifying awards. -- Community Care
Review from the first edition:
'The writers question many of the assumptions under-lying current social work practice, proposing changes not only in policy, resources and practice but also in the theories and language used to describe them.'
-- Caring
Table of ContentsPreface to second edition. 1. A history of systems ideas in social work. 2. Key principles of a systems approach. 3. The application of Bateson's ideas in family therapy and wider systems. 4. Towards an ecology of social work practice. 5. Case studies in social work practice. 6. A systems approach to management of social work. 7. Managing organisational change: case studies in social work management and organisational change. 8. A systems approach to social work education. 9. Developments in systems ideas. Bibliography. Index.
