'A key text, an excellent read, and highly recommended.' Professor David Howe, University of East Anglia, Norwich "' this text comes as a breath of fresh air " "by placing relationships once more at the heart of social work practice whilst also meeting the needs of students in the context of modern social work education."'" Professor Adrian James, University of Sheffield "'not simply an introductory summary and tour of the field, but provides students with a clear framework and foundation for locating their practice through the rest of their studies, future training and professional careers ..."This is an ambitious and very impressive book which will make a valuable and significant contribution.'" Nigel Parton, NSPCC Professor in Applied Childhood Studies, University of Huddersfield "' I will certainly use this text with social work students on placement and newly qualified social workers.'" Dawn Maxwell, Children's Services and Learning Directorate, Southampton City Council Social Work: An introduction to contemporary practice is an exciting, new and uniquely comprehensive introduction to the field.Essential knowledge and skills are examined with authority and depth, and key debates approached in an accessible, informative and engaging way. Underpinned by research and advice to make close illustrative links with practice, this text will stimulate interest and actively engage the reader. Richly supported throughout with examples and real-life case scenarios, the authors encourage the reader to adopt a critical and reflective approach. Furthermore, as social work exists to help people through complex and painful transitions in life, the book sets the relationship at the heart of social work practice.Key features *Covers the five compulsory elements to degree-level qualification human growth and development; assessment, planning, intervention and review; law for social workers; communicating with people; inter-professional working *A range of in-text features including reflective questions, summaries, case studies with questions, closer look boxes, professional tips, further reading and websites, and practical activities encourage reflection, engagement and extension *Chapters are directly linked to National Occupational Standards *National variations in social work processes and laws are integrated within the text *Specialist contributions on areas such as drugs, youth offending, social care, the law and disability *Companion website containing extra case studies and chapter-by-chapter links to further interactive, multimedia resources. This text will be essential reading for social work students on undergraduate and postgraduate training programmes, newly qualified social workers and practitioners in a variety of settings. Kate Wilson is Professor of Social Work, University of Nottingham. Gillian Ruch is Senior Lecturer in Social Work Studies, University of Southampton.Mark Lymbery is Associate Professor of Social Work, University of Nottingham. Andrew Cooper is Professor of Social Work, University of East London and the Tavistock Clinic, London. Each author has wide experience of social work education and helping students to integrate learning into their practice. Visit theSocial Work: An introduction to contemporary practice Companion Website at www.pearsoned.co.uk/wilsonruch to find valuable learning material, including: *Links to interactive and virtual learning materials including those produced for the Learning Exchange of the Instituteof Researchand Innovation in Social Services (IRISS). *A list of additional media resources' (video, novels, film, TV) for each chapter, illustrating how topics and themes of social work are creatively and vividly explored in popular media. *Additional case study material.