Search

A bumper book of powerful problem-solving tools and techniques presented clearly and concisely by a highly respected author. Practitioners across the range of human services and managers in all sectors are constantly faced with problems of various kinds. Each of these is unique, however there will be general patterns that we can learn from. This book draws upon the author's extensive experience in teaching and training on problem-solving, providing students, practitioners and managers with a powerful repertoire of tools that can make a real difference in a wide range of situations. This easy-to-read text incorporates new challenges in the modern workplace such as; Artificial Intelligence, increased job insecurity, neurodivergence in relation to problem-solving, and safeguarding our habitat. Packed with critical exercises and opportunities for reflection, Effective Problem Solving encourages readers to analyse difficult situations and provides guidance on how to respond to these challenges head-on, making a real impact. This book is a handy guide that will increase readers'skills and confidence.

The Managing Stress Practice Manual, 2nd ed, provides the ideal stress management tool for practitioners across the public sector and professionals at all levels in business and management. The modern world of work is highly pressurised, with stress levels affecting workers'health and little to no understanding of the roots of stress, making workers feel overwhelmed and lacking the confidence to do anything about it. This book takes a holistic look at stress, offering clear and practical guidance on how to manage pressure, how to prevent stress, what to do if stress arises and how to deal with the aftermath of stress. By taking a deeper look, this book provides the reader with a full understanding, taking the narrow focus away from the individual themselves, and thereby taking away the'blame the victim'message that can add to stress. This latest edition features new content including: current pressures caused by Covid-19, stress related to job insecurity, financial stress and the cost of living crisis issues around neurodiversity. It explains complex ideas clearly and accessibly, including practical examples and exercises throughout, with a repertoire of strategies and sources of help that will be invaluable to practitioners and business professionals alike.

Social worker. You're a helping hand, a rock in the tempest, a friendly face through the hard times, and a catalyst for change. But what about you? How do you keep going when the pressure just keeps rising?In this no-nonsense handbook, Neil Thompson and John McGowan distil years of social work expertise into key strategies to overcome the challenges that come with the profession. Each chapter is full of clear, practical advice on staying resilient in the face of tough situations, whether they're political, social, or economic. Handy frameworks and expert advice will strengthen your practice and give you a solid structure to build on, helping you fulfil your potential as a social worker and provide better support for your clients. Social work is tough, but with the guidance and support in this book you can learn to tackle the challenges and thrive as a force for change.

What is social work? How is it carried out? What skills does it require?Despite its many challenges, social work remains a rewarding career that makes a difference. Understanding Social Work is a much-loved and highly acclaimed introduction to what is involved in the role, offering an excellent grounding in what the profession is all about. Neil Thompson provides a clear and helpful account of the knowledge, skills and values that underpin social work, makes clear what some of the main challenges of social work are and helps you rise to those challenges.Each engaging and succinct chapter supports the reader's learning and development with case studies, valuable advice from experienced practitioners, practical exercises and further reading suggestions. In this sixth edition, Thompson shares lessons from his expert witness work and offers renewed focus on the significance of loss and grief and the resurgence of interest in anti-racism in social work.It is an ideal starting point for people considering a career in social work, students beginning their social work journey and for experienced practitioners who want to revisit their roots.Accompanying online resources are available at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/the-effective-social-worker. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Neil Thompson sets out what you really need to know about supporting further learning during placement and practice. Stripping away the confusion and anxiety about'what next?', this manual goes back to the core theories of how learning works in the first place, and how you can synchronise that with values and reflective practice to help your students and colleagues reach their professional goals. Summaries illustrate and reinforce the guidance, creating a set of easy-to-follow strategies for effective workplace development mentoring.Accessible explanations guide you through the theory and practice, covering everything from fostering a learning environment to troubleshooting difficulties and encouraging a culture of self-directed learning. Grow your mentoring skills and help your colleagues get to grips with not just what to learn, but how to learn it and make it stick.

This succinct and insightful guide to reflective practice is designed for students and practitioners across a range of professions in the human services - social work, healthcare and related fields. In seven compact chapters, it takes the reader through the main theories and principles of reflective practice, drawing on concepts and findings from across the associated literature. Its clear and careful integration of both the'thinking'and'doing'elements of the complex and often challenging task of practising reflectively makes this an ideal text for students and practitioners alike.New for this edition:New material which covers how pandemic-induced remote working has affected opportunities for spontaneous group reflection. New content which looks at the significance of reflective practice for management and leadershipClearer links across reflective learning, personal growth and spirituality

An essential handbook for students and experienced social workers alike, this practical guide filters out the jargon and sets out what you really need to know. 30 easy-to-follow chapters delve into topics ranging from holistic thinking to effective record keeping, all rooted in Neil Thompson's extensive hands-on experience. Complicated subjects such as cultural sensitivity and managing conflict are discussed thoughtfully and pragmatically, helping you understand the roots of tricky situations and find effective solutions. Each section successfully combines theory and practice to give a holistic view of social work that can be tailored to help each unique client. Over 45 years of experience distilled into one manual for success.

There are particular challenges involved in teaching social work. As with other professional disciplines, it is not simply a matter of passing on the key elements of the knowledge base; there is also the need to equip students to be able to make use of that knowledge in practice and in the context of relevant professional values.This book offers broad insights into effective social work education. It provides insightful guidance to 50 aspects of the social work curriculum and warns of common pitfalls and obstacles to learning. Practical suggestions for exercises and activities are presented in a clearly written, successful blend of theory and practice.Neil Thompson is a distinguished, international scholar and brings over 30 years of experience to a wide range of case studies and transferable skills that will provide a foundation for future social workers everywhere. This guide will be essential for academics teaching social work, practice educators and workforce and freelance development officers.

Focusing on the challenges of achieving good practice, this popular textbook reflects recent developments in social work within the context of contemporary society, law and policy. Getting to the heart of what this profession is all about, Understanding Social Work continues to offer an excellent foundation for readers wanting a better understanding of the social work role. What is social work? How is it carried out? What skills does it require?New to this edition:- Updates include new material on the importance of social media, resilience, the impact of austerity, rising case-loads, and the increase pressure on social workersAccompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/the-effective-social-worker. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

The challenge of developing forms of practice that are effective in tackling discrimination and oppression remains a major one. In Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity, internationally renowned author Dr Neil Thompson explores a wide range of issues relating to equality and diversity. Topics include the case for equality and diversity, understanding and challenging discrimination in relation to age, race and ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability and religion. Promoting Equality, Valuing Diversity is part of the Learning from Practice Series.

Practitioners working within the people professions have a legal and moral responsibility to promote equality wherever possible. This insightful book from a leading author provides a lucid guide to the complexities of inequality, and offers a sound foundation for practice that makes a positive contribution to equality, social justice and empowerment. Now in its fourth edition, this highly successful text challenges oversimplified approaches to tackling discrimination and oppression. It combines an impressive blend of theoretical analysis and practice insights, all conveyed in the accessible and engaging style which has earned Neil Thompson his sterling reputation in the field. With a clear exposition of a coherent theory base that does justice to the multi-level and multi-dimensional nature of discrimination, Promoting Equality is essential reading for students and practitioners within the helping professions, and managers and supervisors across the public, private and voluntary sectors.Accompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/the-effective-social-worker. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Communication is the basis of so much of what happens in the workplace and indeed in our private lives. Without effective communication our lives are so much the poorer and with so many more problems. This book, now in an updated third edition, is therefore an important and valuable resource for anyone where success in their work depends on the quality of their interactions, whether face to face, in writing or electronically.Divided into two parts, the book focuses first on theoretical insights to provide a firm basis of understanding and then on practice issues. Written in Neil Thompson's characteristically clear and accessible style, this important book provides an essential foundation for making sure that we are communicating with one another as effectively as possible.

This important textbook is a revised and updated edition of a very well-received and much-appreciated insightful guide to reflective practice designed for students, practitioners and managers of social work, health care and related fields. Its clear and careful integration of both the'thinking and doing'elements of the often challenging task of practising reflectively makes this book an ideal text at all levels of study and practice. Divided into two parts, the book focuses first on theoretical issues to help develop a sound foundation of understanding of critically reflective practice and then on practical guidance on how to make this type of practice a reality.Accompanying online resources for this title can be found at bloomsburyonlineresources.com/the-effective-social-worker. These resources are designed to support teaching and learning when using this textbook and are available at no extra cost.

Theory and practice are two sides of the same coin: they are inextricably linked. In this second edition of his classic text, Neil Thompson revisits the crucial topic of integrating theory and practice – this time, widening his scope to explore the importance of informed practice not just in social work, but across the full range of human services: from nursing and counselling to youth work, community studies and beyond.Thoroughly revised and updated, the new edition uses detailed explanations, practitioner quotes and engaging practice examples to guide the reader through the process of'theorizing practice'. With his peerless clarity and flair for tackling advanced concepts in an accessible way, Thompson critically discusses the approaches and perspectives of the numerous human services, including postmodernism, morality and organizational culture, and brings particular focus to the role of existentialism in understanding the challenges of contemporary practice.This important new edition provides much-needed food for thought about the complexities of theory and practice, and is sure to provide fresh inspiration to professionals and students alike.

Existentialism and Social Work provides a clearly-expressed and well-argued exposition of Sartrean existentialism as a theory base for social work practice. It introduces the key concepts and themes of the philosophy and relates them to social welfare theory and practice. Existentialism is a valuable means of making sense of many of the complexities, contradictions and dilemmas which social work staff encounter. The book explores the relationship between theory and practice and examines how existentialism can help to bridge the gap. A number of theoretical perspectives are evaluated from an existentialist perspective and links are drawn between Sartre's philosophy and aspects of commonly used theories and methods. But this is not simply a theoretical analysis. Neil Thompson also explores the use of existentialism as a guide to day-to-day practice and draws up a set of Principles for Practice. The ultimate aim is to present existentialism as a concrete philosophy of praxis.

Modern society is beset by a vast range of problems – such as poverty, homelessness and terrorism – that cause immense suffering for a significant number of people. These social problems both reflect and contribute to wider inequalities; consequently, in order to develop a true understanding of them, we must consider the social injustices with which they are inextricably linked.In this ground-breaking text, Neil Thompson turns his attention to the range of complex issues relating to social problems and social justice, and the relationship between them. With the help of engaging features that have become synonymous with his books, Thompson provides a clear exploration of some key social problems currently challenging us, analysis of the connection between social problems and social justice, and a review of how social policy initiatives to tackle these issues have fared to date.Innovative and absorbing, Social Problems and Social Justice is essential reading for students and practitioners across a wide range of social science disciplines and the social professions.

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. Whether a student new to the complexities of this demanding, rewarding field taking a social work practice or placement module, or a qualified practitioner seeking a source of guidance, this book will help meet the challenge of developing a professionalism that is consistent with the values of contemporary social work.

The everyday role of the social worker is to help improve the lives of people who are, in some form, struggling. It is a challenging role, but it can also be incredibly rewarding. Now in its fourth edition Understanding Social Work continues to be the essential introduction to this complex field of practice. Getting to the heart of what social work is all about, it answers those questions that are fundamental to the role: What is social work? How is it carried out? What skills does it require? And what are the challenges? Whether you're considering a career in social work, already in training, or looking for a refresher guide, this book provides a picture of social work for what it truly is: its difficulties, its demands and its rewards. Written to engage and stimulate the reader, each chapter features: • Voice of experience boxes offering professional guidance and handy tips from experienced practitioners. • Practice focus features that illustrate the challenges of training and practising in social work, as well as ways of overcoming them.• Exercises that engage the reader with the content and test your knowledge. • A Guide to further learning that highlights key texts in the subject area.

This new and fully updated edition of a hugely popular textbook is a practical and user-friendly guide that lets students know what to expect from their course and will be there every step of the way as a reference tool. Written by experts in the field, the book guides the reader through from their academic study on social work courses to entering the field as a practitioner. The Social Work Companion is the essential survival guide for students on qualifying courses in social work and a helpful resource for experienced practitioners.New to this Edition:- A indispensable wide-ranging yet accessible coverage of the core areas of theory and practice studied on a typical social work degree course - A wealth of guidance on study skills, advice about possible career directions, and extensive signposting to sources of further information

Whether it's managing people, taking care of others or working collaboratively in a team, so much of what people do in the workplace is dependent on their ability to work effectively with others. Now in its fourth edition People Skills provides an up-to-date guide to the knowledge and skills required for working successfully with people. Written with the accessibility and practical application for which Neil Thompson is renowned, this book is written for people at all levels. Whether you're a social worker, nurse, youth worker, a manager or supervisor, or in any role that involves working with people and their problems, this book will help you to develop your skills and improve your effectiveness. Divided in to three key areas of people skills development: • Part I highlights the importance of personal effectiveness; it draws on the key personal skills that are essential to working with people. This includes time management, stress management, being creative and building resilience. • Part II explores core interaction skills; it begins by looking at the diversity of the people we interact with and goes on to equip readers with core communication skills, including verbal, nonverbal and written. It also addresses complex tasks, such as managing conflict appropriately and successful interviewing.• Part III outlines the skills of intervention; it focuses on looking at what needs to be done and the necessary steps to make it happen. From developing anti-discriminatory practice to decision making and reflective practice, it focuses on problem-solving skills in the workplace.Packed with engaging features, each chapter includes practice focus boxes that help connect theory with real-life practice and exercises that stimulate and challenge the reader.

In the field of leadership so much of what is available falls short of addressing the heart of the leadership experience: the complexity of human existence. Neil Thompson adopts an existentialist outlook to show that a human-centred approach is key to effective leadership. Critical of other approaches to authentic leadership, he demonstrates the impact of using existential authenticity to empower the workforce. Divided into three parts it explores the problems with current leadership theory and practice; unravels existentialist philosophy and its contribution to an authentic approach to leadership; and applies authentic leadership to practice by linking key skills to different problem scenarios. Though grounded in complex ideas, Thompson's work successfully translates these into a leadership philosophy that is presented with clarity, accessibility and practical application. It is a book for anyone practising, or training to practise, in a field that requires strong leadership skills, including business and management, social work; youth work; nursing and health care; sport and beyond.

At the heart of every organisation are the people that contribute to it. Neil Thompson's latest book offers an outstanding guide to the art of management by highlighting the, too often taken for granted, importance of staff and their well-being at work. The result is a unique introduction to people management that focuses on getting the best, rather than simply the most, out of staff in the workplace. Combining theory and practice in clear and sensitive balance, this book: Is unrivalled in scope, covering 30 key tasks and challenges faced by managers, from recruitment and staff motivation to grievances and bullying. Adopts a multidisciplinary approach applicable across many organisational settings for readers whatever their background. Is written with the clarity and practical focus for which Neil Thompson is renowned, ensuring a navigable and intuitive companion for students and new and aspiring managers alike. People Management is an ideal textbook for students taking courses on human resources, management and leadership across a range of fields, from Business and Organisation Studies to professional qualifications in Nursing, Social Work and related people professions. It also a rich and succinct tool for practising managers.

Working with people requires engaging with the issues that inevitably affect their lives and work – whether conflict or stress, relationship difficulties or communication breakdown. This hands-on sourcebook is an essential introduction to tackling the problems that arise between people. Offering a wealth of practical advice, methods and strategies, it will support you in building your own toolkit of methods, enabling you to turn problems into successes with both fairness and sensitivity. The book is divided into three easy-to-navigate parts: Part I provides a theoretical backdrop for the book. It explores the factors that contribute to a range of problems and discusses the knowledge, skills and values involved in effective problem solving. Part II is a collection of over eighty tools. Organized alphabetically, each technique is thoroughly explained so that you know when and how it can be used and what results it can deliver. Part III is a guide to further learning, packed with suggestions for reading and designed as a springboard for more advanced learning and skill development. This versatile resource builds on the success of its predecessor (People Problems) to demonstrate the important role that methods can play in working with people and their problems, whatever the setting. Grounded in realism and informed by the author's extensive experience, it will be indispensible for teaching, study and practice across the fields of social care, nursing, human resource and business management and any other professional role which is defined by its contact with people.

Communication is at the heart of all work with people and their problems.Whatever the setting, poor communication can prove very damaging inits consequences. However, at its most effective, it has the power toensure the promotion of equality and well-being. This new edition of an essential text offers a clear and informativeintroduction to the subtleties and practical complexities ofcommunication. Drawing on a wide-ranging theory base from acrossthe social sciences, it demonstrates how key ideas from a number ofdisciplines provide a sound foundation for informed and sensitivepractice. This edition includes: ■ A consistent focus on the importance of communication withininterprofessional and multidisciplinary contexts;■ New chapters on communication within specific settings, such asworking with children and with groups;■ New discussion of potential difficulties in communication – forexample, as a result of disability issues or the challenges of interculturalcommunication;■ A broad range of learning resources, such as activities,'points toponder'and'voice of experience'comments, reflecting practitioners'real-world experience. With its clear practice focus and emphasis on reflection throughout,Effective Communication is a key text for everyone across the peopleprofessions. It is an ideal introduction for students and practitioners of social work, nursing,health and social care, counselling and pastoral care, teaching and educational support, probation work, youth and community work, and advice studies, as well as managers, leaders, supervisors and humanresource professionals.

Practitioners working within the people professions have a legal and moralresponsibility to promote equality wherever possible. This insightful bookfrom a leading author provides a lucid guide to the complexities ofinequality, and offers a sound foundation for practice that makes a positivecontribution to equality, social justice and empowerment.Now in its third edition, this highly successful text challenges oversimplifiedapproaches to tackling discrimination and oppression. It combines animpressive blend of theoretical analysis and practice insights, all conveyedin the accessible and engaging style which has earned Neil Thompson hissterling reputation in the field. Along with a new introductory chapter,this revised edition features: ■'Voice of experience'comments: practitioners'real-world experiences ofdiscrimination;■ Key concept boxes: authoritative support in demystifying complextheoretical ideas;■ Practice focus illustrations: cameos from practice which bring theoreticalissues to life. With a clear exposition of a coherent theory base that does justice to themulti-level and multi-dimensional nature of discrimination, PromotingEquality is essential reading for students and practitioners within thehelping professions, and managers and supervisors across the public,private and voluntary sectors.

This succinct and insightful guide to reflective practice is designed for students and practitioners of social work, health care and related fields. Its clear and careful integration of both the'thinking and doing'elements of the often challenging task of practising reflectively makes this an ideal text at all levels of study and practice.

This book provides an overview of the key issues involved in promoting workplace learning. Building on ideas discussed in Practice Teaching in Social Work (Pepar Publications, 1994), this clear text covers not only developments in traditional practice learning, but also wider aspects of workplace learning and the development of a learning culture.

This edited volume explores the wide range of practice situations across the human services in which issues loss and grief are likely to be important. It also extends understandings of loss and grief beyond death-related losses, encompassing new developments in the theoretical literature. Addressing the social and political dimensions of loss and grief as well as the psychological dimensions, this text brings together contributors from a variety of disciplines, professional background and countries, including such renowned figures as Dame Cicely Saunders and Robert A.Neimeyer.