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Assessment in Social Work
by Judith Milner, Patrick O'Byrne
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan (2002-08-05)
ISBN: 0333987470
EAN: 9780333987476
Dewy Decimal #: 361
Paperback: 224 pages
Edition: 2Rev Ed
SKU: B461-1270
Condition: New
Comments: In stock - Immediate despatch from an efficient and professional leading British bookselling firm.
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Customer Reviews
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Couldnt possibly over rate this book
Rating  (5)
Date: 2008-06-21
I couldnt possibly over rate this book for either social work practitioners, students or general theorists.
It very clearly outlines assessment and the different corresponding social work interventions. Included are a systems approach, psycho-dynamic approach, behavioural approach, task centred approach, solutions focused approach and anti-oppressive practice.
Outside of straight therpeautic textbooks or literature it is one of the clearest, most accessible and useful accounts of psycho-dynamics I've encountered to date. The distinction between psycho-dynamics and behaviourial approaches is also usefully made (psycho-dynamics involving insight, behavioural approaches having greater relevance were insight exists or is insufficient, for instance were a problem is habitual).
The presentation and writing style is a welcome departure from a lot of social work literature in that its readable and uses language appropriate to the topics without attempting to over simplify.
It may not be the first book a student will refer to as it demands a little more reading and isnt simply a handy source of quotes for essays or assignments. However for anyone who really wants to give careful consideration to the core theories and the theory's relevance it is unsurpassed by any other book on the market.
There are also some really succinct points made throughout the book on the nature of social work interventions per se and their objective.
In particular the idea that the purpose of social work is first the provision of a formal network of welfare and second the development of an informal network of welfare. Also the important point, not often made, that a major need in the case of many people having contact with formal social services is the restoration of that person's own problem-solving potential and the mobilisation of that person's own inner resources or resourcefulness.
There are other volumeous books on the market which have been pitched as answering more existential or orientating questions about social work which dont succeed in doing so in as precise and straightforward a way.
My only possible criticism is not of the book itself but of the cover price, most social work literature seems to be obscenely over priced for what is on offer.
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Offers the fundamentals over 5 intervention approaches
Rating (5)
Date: 2007-04-16
1 out of 1 customers found this reveiw helpful
I found this book very clearly laid out and informative. This book offers the fundamentals over how to assess and intervene using psychodynamic, behavioural, task-centred, solution-focused and narrative approaches. Anyone confused or needing clarity on how to practically apply these approaches to practice will gain by this book as it is written with the working practioner in mind, with short case examples exemplifying practical application. Key points are given in easy-to-reference bullet points. Also offers many useful charts and tables such as want sheets, problem scales and ego grams. As a starting text to applying any of these theories in practice, this book delivers the fundamentals.
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An easy-to-read introduction and guide to assessment
Rating  (4)
Date: 2000-12-06
10 out of 12 customers found this reveiw helpful
The authors have presented what they call "the thicket of concepts and theories...in social work" in a novel and interesting way - they teach you how to map read your way through assessment in social work! For example, the approaches involved in psychodynamics are illustrated through what is termed "A Map of the Ocean" (hidden depths, geddit?) and the Systems Approach via "A Map of the World". Emphasis is placed on the worker learning the skills to undertake assessment eclectically and effectively, whilst reminding us that making final judgements will always involve a degree of human bias.
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