A step-by-step guide to the underpinning theoretical knowledge in social work helping your students to confidently apply theory in practice.

-          Exercises will help them get to grips with the essentials and reflect on learning.

-          Case studies from eight fictional social workers located in a busy local authority office will allow them to explore a range of different practice experience, theoretical perspectives and approaches to understanding situations and identifying possible courses of action.

-          The authors’ own experiences will show the importance of reflection, supervision and continual learning to help them prepare for the reality of practice.

"This book provides a helpful overview of social work theory comprising theories from diverse disciplines. In line with the eclectic approach to theory, this comprehensive exploration of theories encourages social work students and practitioners to develop a holistic understanding of the experiences and/or behaviours of service users and carers in the current social context. However, theory is an essential and integral
element of social work practice that tends to alienate or be overlooked by students and practitioners alike, as they find it difficult to see the relevance of abstract theory to reallife practice. By using the Theory Circle and case study examples as tools, readers can
learn how to think theoretically and apply theories to practice. This book, hence, is a great resource for students and practitioners to refer back to as a guide to inform their practice." - China Journal of Social Work