Social Policy and Social Work books
Our academic staff produce a range of books for students, researchers, academics and those looking for introductions to the subject and its specialist areas. Listed below is just a small selection of the most recent books authored or edited by staff in the Department. For a full list of publications, take a look at each member of staff's academic profile.
Social Enterprise
Social Entrepreneurship: A Skills Approach
- Dr Robert Gunn and Chris Durkin (Northampton) (eds)
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2010, Policy Press
The book offers in-depth theoretical study of stakeholder engagement, financial options, leadership management and organizational challenges is complemented by compelling case studies of real social enterprise success from across the UK, US, China and India. The book will be essential reading for students, academics, practitioners and entrepreneurs to expand their knowledge, skills and passion and sustainably pursue their social missions to bring about real social change. [Back cover text]
Social Policy
Gender and Child Welfare in Society
- Brid Featherstone, Dr Carol-Ann Hooper, Jonathan Scourfield and Julie Taylor (eds)
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2012, Wiley-Blackwell
Gender and Child Welfare in Society offers an overview of sociological, psychological and developmental perspectives on family relationships, child welfare and the practice realities of professional interventions with families. It interrogates the current child welfare agenda from a gendered perspective, drawing on developments in thinking about gender relations. Chapters describe a range of service settings, including family support, child health, education, child protection, domestic violence, children who are ‘looked after’, and youth justice.
The Housing Debate: Policy and Politics in the Twenty-First Century
- Dr Stuart Lowe
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2011, Policy Press
The emergence of Britain as a fully-fledged home-owning society at the end of the last century has major implications for how people think about and use their housing not just as a home but as an asset. Housing has become a 'bank' which households use for various purposes, including: as a pension fund; to provide resources for care needs at all stages of life; to sponsor access to private education and other privately provided services; and, to draw on in emergencies. As a result the home has become a lynchpin of modern family life and the 21st century welfare state. The key debate in this important and timely book is whether social policy and people's homes should be so closely connected in this way, especially when housing markets are so volatile.
Rice Biofortification: Lessons for Global Science and Development
- Dr Sally Brooks
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2010, Routledge
Biofortification - the enrichment of staple food crops with essential micronutrients - has been heralded as a uniquely sustainable solution to the problem of micronutrient deficiency or 'hidden hunger'. This book provides an important critique of such goal-oriented, top-down approaches. It provides vital lessons for those researching and making decisions about science and research policy, showing that if this model becomes entrenched, it is likely to channel resources towards the search for 'silver bullet' solutions at the expense of more incremental approaches that respond to locality, diversity and the complex and uncertain interactions between people and their environments.
The Global Social Policy Reader
- Dr Chris Holden and Professor Nicola Yeates (OU) (eds)
- Available on Amazon.co.uk
- 2009, Policy Press
The Global Social Policy Reader collects together for the first time a comprehensive range of key papers by international leaders in the field from a wide range of sources that explain the concepts, actors and processes that constitute global social policy. The book will have broad appeal among undergraduate and postgraduate students in a range of social science subjects, including social and public policy, social care and health studies, sociology, politics, economics, international relations and development studies. The volume will also be of interest to policy activists and policy makers at national and international levels, and to those involved in the planning and delivery of social welfare services and programmes in national and international organisations.
The Short Guide to Social Policy
- Dr John Hudson, Dr Stuart Lowe and Dr Stefan Kuehner
- Available on Amazon.co.uk
- 2008, Policy Press
This short but systematic introductory text offers a clear and concise overview of the 'five pillars' of social policy: social security, employment, education, health, housing. Specifically designed for students who are new to the study of social policy, this short guide: outlines the basics of social policy; explains key policy goals and how welfare is delivered; uses case studies from around the world to illustrate key debates and explore policy dilemmas; highlights key terms and concepts throughout; and, provides readers with quick reference summaries and guides to further reading. Whether starting a degree in social policy or studying a single module in the subject at any level, this clear and accessible guide, written by experienced authors and teachers, is indispensable reading.
Social Work
Communication and Interpersonal Skills in Social Work
- Juliet Koprowska
- Available on Amazon.co.uk
- 2010, Learning Matters
Good communication skills are at the heart of effective social work practice. This second edition enables students to develop a flexible and responsive approach to communicating with the most vulnerable people in society. Building on the success of the previous book, Koprowska looks in detail at all approaches to communication, paying particular attention to young people, adults and families. The emphasis of this book is not on any particular right way to communicate, but more the ability of the student to be pro-active and aware in different situations.
Evaluating in Practice
- Professor Ian Shaw
- Available on Amazon.co.uk
- 2011, Ashgate
Evaluation is not a self-contained phase of social work practice - one more dimension of the process - but a dimension of every phase. In this fully rewritten and updated second edition of his groundbreaking text Evaluating in Practice, Ian Shaw demonstrates how evaluation and inquiry are just as much practice tasks as planning, intervention and review. By demonstrating that good evaluating in practice helps sustain a commitment to evidence, understanding and justice, Shaw shows that for this to be achieved, evaluating in practice must permeate every aspect of social work.
Practice and Research
- Professor Ian Shaw
- Available on Amazon.co.uk
- 2012, Ashgate
Practice and Research is an overview of Professor Ian Shaw's analysis of the complexity and challenges of the practice/research relationship in social work - a theme that has been the focus of much of his writing over his career. Introduced with a new essay that reflects on the 'serendipity, misfires and occasional patterns' in his work, the book is grouped into five sections: Perspectives on Social Work Research; Evaluation; Qualitative Social Work Research; Practice and Research; and, The Receiving End: Service Users and Research. This book has much to say about the relationship between social work practice and research and is a must-read for any social work student or practitioner.
Social Work and ICT
- Dr Andrew Hill and Professor Ian Shaw
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2011, Sage
This book goes a step further than simply describing ICT skills, but asks why ICT is used and how this affects practice and the experience of people who use services. Written in a student-friendly style, Social Work and ICT is interspersed with activities and exercises to enable students to develop their skills and knowledge. Each chapter also includes a 'Taking it Further' section with useful websites, suggestions for further reading and ideas to improve practice. The book has been designed to enhance professional practice and it will be essential reading for all undergraduate programmes in social work.
Working in Statutory Contexts
- Dr Andrew Hill
- Available via Amazon.co.uk
- 2010, Polity Press
Through extensive examples and case studies, Andrew Hill illustrates key skills in practice, such as responding to threats of violence and aggression, giving evidence in court, report writing, and coping with emotional issues. As well as promoting practical skills, the book underlines the importance of working as a reflective practitioner. It carefully outlines a framework for understanding the place of statutory work and how this may be consistent with empowerment and anti–oppressive practice, and with the straightforward desire to help others that brings people into social work in the first place. This book is relevant to all social work settings including mental health, community care, youth justice, and child protection. It will be essential reading for social work students and newly qualified social workers who are facing up to the realities of social work in statutory settings for the first time.