This trusted textbook for both students and practitioners has sold over 75,000 copies across its four previous editions. This comprehensive text is divided into three easily navigable parts: Part I guides the reader through the social work process, detailing each stage and offering a new chapter on reflection; Part II introduces key methods of intervention, encompassing a broad range of theories and approaches, including new material on strengths based approaches and solution focused practice; Part III identifies the variety of contexts in which social work takes place, with individuals (both children and adults), groups and communities.

Whether a student new to social work or an experienced practitioner returning to training, this is a 'must buy' text that readers will return to again and again throughout their professional practice.

Veronica Coulshed was Head of Applied Social Studies at the University of Sunderland, UK, before her untimely death in 1992.

Joan Orme is Emeritus Professor of Social Work in the Glasgow School of Social Work (GSSW), UK, where she was founding Head of the School.