Social Work Reflections
1st Edition
0335253237
·
9780335253234
© 2026 | Published: November 17, 2025
This edited collection from experts in the social work landscape will empower and challenge the pervasive issue of low morale and resulting attrition of those working and studying within this sector by showcasing the value and positive impact social …
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PART ONE: Setting the Scene
Introduction to Part One
1. Who, what, when, where, how and why – Neil Thompson, The Open University
2. The history of social work – Sarah Vicary, The Open University
3. Social work in global context – David Jones, IFSW
PART TWO: Key Concepts
Introduction to Part Two
4. Values – Neil Thompson, The Open University
5. Sexism and anti-sexism – Tashel Bordere, independent scholar, Elizabeth Sharp, Texas Tech University, and Dana Weiser, Texas Tech University
6. Religious discrimination – Sharif Haider, The Open University
7. Co-production – Helen Casey / Jackie King-Owen, The Open University
8. Communication – Rebecca Tipton and Celia Hulme, University of Manchester
9. The importance of language – Ceinwen Gwilym, The Open University
10. Spirituality – Gerry Skelton, Belfast Met
11. Loss and grief – Sue Thompson, independent scholar
12. Trauma – Viv Dacre, Wrexham University
13. Compassion – Darcy Harris, King’s College at Western University (Canada)
14. Sustainability – Lindsay Giddings and Gillian Ferguson, The Open University
15. Artificial intelligence – Sharif Haider, The Open University
16. Safeguarding – Jeremy Dixon, University of Bath
PART THREE: Key Methods and Skills
Introduction to Part Three
17. Solution-focused practice – Guy Shennan, independent scholar
18. Family group conferencing – Sarah Brown, The Open University
19. Groupwork – Mark Doel, Sheffield Hallam University
20. The community dimension – Paul Stepney, Tampere University (Finland)
21. Creative methods – Amanda Shields, The Open University
PART FOUR: The People We Serve
Introduction to Part Four
22. Working with children and families – Jo Strang, The Open University
23. Working with care-experienced young people – Justin Rogers, The Open University
24. Working with neurodiverse people – James Gatpansingh, The Open University
25. Working with older people – Sue Thompson, independent scholar
26. Working with substance users – Gillian Ferguson, The Open University
27. Working with refugees and asylum seekers – Rebecca Joy Novell, Lancashire County Council
PART FIVE: The organizational context
Introduction to Part Six
28. Organizational dynamics – Neil Thompson, The Open University
29. Self-care – John McGowan, The Social Workers Union and Jermaine Lavalier, Bucks New University
30. Reflective supervision – Jermaine Lavalier, Bucks New University and John McGowan, SWU.
31. Continuous professional development – Gillian Ferguson, The Open university
Introduction to Part One
1. Who, what, when, where, how and why – Neil Thompson, The Open University
2. The history of social work – Sarah Vicary, The Open University
3. Social work in global context – David Jones, IFSW
PART TWO: Key Concepts
Introduction to Part Two
4. Values – Neil Thompson, The Open University
5. Sexism and anti-sexism – Tashel Bordere, independent scholar, Elizabeth Sharp, Texas Tech University, and Dana Weiser, Texas Tech University
6. Religious discrimination – Sharif Haider, The Open University
7. Co-production – Helen Casey / Jackie King-Owen, The Open University
8. Communication – Rebecca Tipton and Celia Hulme, University of Manchester
9. The importance of language – Ceinwen Gwilym, The Open University
10. Spirituality – Gerry Skelton, Belfast Met
11. Loss and grief – Sue Thompson, independent scholar
12. Trauma – Viv Dacre, Wrexham University
13. Compassion – Darcy Harris, King’s College at Western University (Canada)
14. Sustainability – Lindsay Giddings and Gillian Ferguson, The Open University
15. Artificial intelligence – Sharif Haider, The Open University
16. Safeguarding – Jeremy Dixon, University of Bath
PART THREE: Key Methods and Skills
Introduction to Part Three
17. Solution-focused practice – Guy Shennan, independent scholar
18. Family group conferencing – Sarah Brown, The Open University
19. Groupwork – Mark Doel, Sheffield Hallam University
20. The community dimension – Paul Stepney, Tampere University (Finland)
21. Creative methods – Amanda Shields, The Open University
PART FOUR: The People We Serve
Introduction to Part Four
22. Working with children and families – Jo Strang, The Open University
23. Working with care-experienced young people – Justin Rogers, The Open University
24. Working with neurodiverse people – James Gatpansingh, The Open University
25. Working with older people – Sue Thompson, independent scholar
26. Working with substance users – Gillian Ferguson, The Open University
27. Working with refugees and asylum seekers – Rebecca Joy Novell, Lancashire County Council
PART FIVE: The organizational context
Introduction to Part Six
28. Organizational dynamics – Neil Thompson, The Open University
29. Self-care – John McGowan, The Social Workers Union and Jermaine Lavalier, Bucks New University
30. Reflective supervision – Jermaine Lavalier, Bucks New University and John McGowan, SWU.
31. Continuous professional development – Gillian Ferguson, The Open university
This edited collection from experts in the social work landscape will empower and challenge the pervasive issue of low morale and resulting attrition of those working and studying within this sector by showcasing the value and positive impact social work can make. Combining insights from field-leading regional and global educators, practitioners, and people with the lived experience, this resource will inspire critical reflection and appreciation for social work's contribution to a more humane society.
31 chapter contributions will span topical subjects (for example, working with children), critical areas that do not receive the required attention in the literature (loss and grief), issues that are emerging but not yet mainstream (family group conferencing) and recent developments (artificial intelligence), providing considerable variety to touch on all areas of interest, from apprentice to practitioner, while also reflecting the diversity of social work.
The aim is not to compete with existing introductory textbooks, but rather to provide something quite distinctive and innovative that should have considerable appeal in today’s difficult social work practice and academic environments.
31 chapter contributions will span topical subjects (for example, working with children), critical areas that do not receive the required attention in the literature (loss and grief), issues that are emerging but not yet mainstream (family group conferencing) and recent developments (artificial intelligence), providing considerable variety to touch on all areas of interest, from apprentice to practitioner, while also reflecting the diversity of social work.
The aim is not to compete with existing introductory textbooks, but rather to provide something quite distinctive and innovative that should have considerable appeal in today’s difficult social work practice and academic environments.
Key Point Boxes
Case Studies, Examples and Short Vignettes
Points to Ponder and Exercises
Short contributions from people with lived experience