What do social workers actually do? Why are social workers so often blamed when things go wrong? How do social workers cope with working in such stressful circumstances? What can social workers offer to vulnerable individuals and wider society?
In this lively introduction suitable for students at any level, Lena Dominelli explores the extraordinary scope and importance of social work. Using engaging examples from contemporary social work practice, she answers clearly questions about what social work is, how social workers work in a variety of settings and the clients they are likely to deal with. She tackles head on the dilemmas social workers face in their day-to-day work and the challenges of working with limited resources and marginalized social groups such as the elderly, the homeless and abused children.
This short and accessible introduction will appeal to anyone with an interest in social work including those considering becoming a social worker. It will affirm the valuable contribution social workers can make to human wellbeing and demonstrate how the promise and potential of social work can be, and is, realized.
