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Relationship-based social work practice examined in new book co-edited by Dr Danielle Turney

8 July 2010

Relationship-Based Social Work book cover
Relationship-based social work practice is founded on the idea that human relationships are of paramount importance and should be at the heart of all good social work practice. This theme is explored in a new book, "Relationship-Based Social Work: Getting to the Heart of Practice", co-edited by Dr Danielle Turney from the School's Centre for Family Policy and Child Welfare, Gillian Ruch and Adrian Ward.

Relationship Based Social Work re-affirms the importance of the working relationship between social worker and service user within a contemporary perspective.

Martin Gill, Lecturer in Social Work, University of East Anglia, UK
Published by Jessica Kingsley, this book provides a thorough guide to relationship-based practice in social work, communicating the theory using illustrative case studies and offering a model for practice. Case examples cover the different service user groups including children, families, older people, refugees, people with disabilities and people with mental health difficulties. The book explores the ranges of emotions that practitioners may encounter, and covers working in both short-term and long-term relationships. It also outlines key skills for the individual such as how to establish rapport with the client and using empathy to build a relationship, and explores systemic issues such as incorporating service user perspectives and building appropriate support systems for practice, management and leadership.

This book will be an invaluable textbook for undergraduate and postgraduate social work students, practitioners on post-qualifying courses and all social work and allied professionals.

The book is available from Jessica Kingsley publishers and you can read more about the book in their recent interview with Danielle Turney.

Further information:

Gillian Ruch is Senior Lecturer and Head of Teaching Programmes in the Division of Social Work Studies at the University of Southampton.

Danielle Turney is Senior Lecturer in Social Work and Director of the Post-Qualifying Specialist Award in Social Work with Children and Young People at the School for Policy Studies at the University of Bristol.

Adrian Ward is Consultant Social Worker at the Tavistock Clinic in London.