The Professional Social Worker: Meeting the Challenge

In this ground-breaking text book, bestselling author Neil Thompson turns his attention to the question of 'What does it mean to be truly professional in the field of social work?'

Notions of professionalism in social work have changed over time. Early traditional ideas showed themselves to be elitist and inconsistent with the fundamental principles of social work, and have been followed by a period of uncertainty as to whether or not social workers are professionals at all. Now, with a move towards a new form of professionalism beginning to take shape, this book presents a cogent argument for reaffirming this vital aspect of social work. Informed by extensive experience and expertise, Thompson examines the role of the modern-day social worker in four parts: as problem solver, thinker, manager and professional.

Neil Thompson is a highly respected writer and developer of online learning resources, with over 38 years' experience in the people professions. He has held full or honorary professorships at four UK universities, and is now a sought-after consultant and conference speaker. He runs the Avenue Professional Development Programme, an online learning community and tutorial group for people professionals. Connect with Neil online at www.neilthompson.info.

Preface to the Second Edition.- Introduction.- PART I: THE SOCIAL WORKER AS PROBLEM SOLVER.- Introduction to Part I.- 1. Needs, Unmet Needs and Problems.- Introduction.- What are Needs?.- Unmet Needs.- Problems.- Conclusion.- 2. The Social Context of Personal Problems.- Introduction.- The Personal is Political.- Poverty, Deprivation and Social Exclusion.- Discrimination and Oppression.- Crime.- Illness, Disablement and Mental Health Problems.- Homelessness and Poor Housing.- Conclusion.- 3. Promoting and Preventing Change: Developing Versus Sustaining.- Introduction.- The Importance of Change in Social Work.- Promoting Change.- Preventing Change.- Conclusion.- 4. Perspectives on Problems: Working in Partnership.- Introduction.- Multiple Perspectives.- Making Partnership a Reality.- Conclusion.- Conclusion to Part I.- PART II: THE SOCIAL WORKER AS THINKER.- Introduction to Part II.- 5. Reflective Practice: Developing Critical Analysis Skills.- Introduction.- Why Reflective Practice?.- Making Critically Reflective Practice a Reality.- Conclusion.- 6. Social Work as Education.- Introduction.- Why Education?.- Using Educational Skills and Processes.- Conclusion.- 7. Thinking and Feeling: Emotional Intelligence.- Introduction.- Reason and Emotion.- Working with Emotion.- The Three Rs Framework.- Conclusion.- 8. Spirituality and Meaning Making.- Introduction.- Making Sense of ExperienceSpirituality.- Focusing on Meaning.- Conclusion.- Conclusion to Part II.- PART III: THE SOCIAL WORKER AS MANAGER.- Introduction to Part III.- 9. Managing Self.- Introduction.- The Importance of Self-management.- Rising to the Challenge.- The Three Rs.- Conclusion.- 10. Managing Processes, Tasks and Outcomes.- Introduction.- Managing Processes.- Managing Tasks.- Managing Outcomes.- Conclusion.- 11. Managing Risk and Resources.- Introduction.- Assessing and Managing Risk.- Three Types of Risk.- Managing Resources.- Conclusion.- 12. Managing Expectations.- Introduction.- Why are Expectations Important?.- Negotiating Expectations.- Managing Resources.- Conclusion.- Conclusion to Part III.- PART IV: THE SOCIAL WORKER AS PROFESSIONAL.- Introduction to Part IV.- 13. Traditional Professionalism.- Introduction.- Problems with Professionalism.- The Problem of Medicalization.- Conclusion.- 14. The Legacy of Anti-professionalism.- Introduction.- The Radical Critique.- The Problems of Anti-professionalism.- Conclusion.- 15. Developing an Authentic Professionalism.- Introduction.- Reaffirming Professionalism.- Supporting Professionalism.- Towards Authentic Professionalism.- The Three Rs Framework Revisited.- Conclusion.- 16. Professionalism in Practice.- Introduction.- The Building Blocks of Professionalism.- Key Themes and Issues.- Making Authentic Professionalism a Reality.- Conclusion.- Conclusion to Part IV.- Glossary.- References.- Index.

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About Neil Thompson