This is a revised edition of Theory and Practice in Health and Social Welfare which was well received on its first publication:
"Throughout the book the writing is stimulating and thought provoking. The author repeatedly demonstrates a good capacity for synthesizing and summarizing in an accessible manner a range of material which is drawn from many sources ... encourages the critical questioning that is vitally necessary for those practitioners, educators and trainers who struggle with the elusive and demanding topic of linking theory and practice as a significant part of their working lives." - British Journal of Social Work
"...a substantial contribution to the demystification of theoretical and practical issues surrounding health and social welfare" - Nursing Times
Relating theory to practice is a long-standing concern in the human services. The first edition of this book helped readers appreciate the complexities of many of the key issues surrounding the integration of theory and practice. This revised and updated edition builds on that success, covering the latest developments in the relationship between theory and practice. The altered title reflects the widened focus of the book which now considers not just social work and social care, nursing and healthcare, but also areas such as probation and community justice, youth and community work, counselling, advocacy and advice work.
Theory and Practice in Human Services argues a case for making theory relevant to practice and ensuring that practice is informed by theory in an open, non-dogmatic way. The book is critical of approaches to theory which create a mystique and barriers to understanding. Equally, approaches to practice which neglect the underpinning knowledge base and values are presented as fundamentally flawed and dangerous. The book offers an integrated approach to theory and practice geared towards improving practice, increasing job satisfaction and promoting an attitude of continuous learning and development.
The new edition has been substantially re-worked to make it even more accessible to a wide readership. It now contains structural devices to aid learning, a glossary and self test questions. It will be invaluable to students and practitioners in social work, nursing and other human services.