Includes bibliographical references (p. 394-420) and index.

Towards a critical understanding of social work / Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli, and Malcolm Payne -- pt. 1: Knowledge for social work practice. Introduction -- Repositioning social work / Lena Dominelli -- The changing nature of social work / Viviene E. Cree -- Values, ethics, and social work / Steven M. Shardlow -- Anti-oppressive practice : the challenges of the twenty-first century / Lena Dominelli -- Reaffirming the value of social work / Bill Jordan -- Social policy, poverty, and social work / Carol Walker and Alan Walker -- Social work and the law / Suzy Braye and Michael Preston-Shoot -- Social work and organisations / Stella Perrott -- Perspectives on the life course : childhood and adolescence / Gabriela Misca -- Perspectives on the life course : later life / Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli, and Malcolm Payne -- Researching social work / Hugh McLaughlin -- pt. 2: Social work process. Introduction -- Understanding social work process / Malcolm Payne -- Communication skills in social work / Pat Hanley -- Working with service users and carers / Helen Charnley, Grace Roddam, and Jane Wistow -- Assessment / Norma Baldwin and Linda Walker -- Planning / Margaret Holloway --- Understanding intervention / Nigel Horner -- Critical intervention and empowerment / Beverley Burke and Jane Dalrymple -- Alternative intervention : a Chinese body-mind-spirit perspective / Siu-Man Ng and Cecilia L.W. Chan -- Monitoring, review, and evaluation / Lorna Bell and Malcolm Payne -- pt. 3: The practice environment. Introduction -- Working with children, young people, and families / Robert Adams -- Adult services and health-related social work / Malcolm Payne -- Working in the voluntary and independent sectors / Malcolm Payne -- Preparing for social work practice / June Tilling -- Personal and professional development / Joyce Lishman -- Concluding comment / Robert Adams, Lena Dominelli, and Malcolm Payne.