Decision Making in Social Work - Softcover

O'Sullivan, Terence

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0333684818 ISBN 13: 9780333684818

Publisher: Palgrave, 1999

Synopsis

Decision-making is a core skill in social work; it is crucial both to effective professional intervention and to successful practice outcomes. Yet it is a surprisingly neglected subject in the social work literature. This text offers a focused and systematic account of this complex and sometimes hazardous skill with the aim of providing practitioners with a clear and supportive framework for navigating their way successfully through difficult and demanding practice situations. Written in an accessible style and making imaginative use of case illustrations, it develops a framework chapter by chapter that addresses the social, organisational and psychological context of professional decision-making; the interests of different stakeholders; issues of power and oppression; and the processes involved in arriving at a decision and evaluating the outcome. By identifying the components of sound decision-making and linking these with the realisation of long-term goals, the text highlights how to improve the quality of social work and promote the wellbeing of clients while recognising that in a world of scarce resources, contradictory demands and social inequalities, the best-informed and most considered decisions will not always lead to good outcomes. This text is essential reading for all those involved in social work, whether as students, practitioners, managers or educators.

About this title

Review

'A unique multidisciplinary approach to the understanding and explanation of decision making in social work practice.' - British Journal of Social Work 'Decision Making in Social Work provides a comprehensive analysis of the subject, which re-emjphasis the skill of the social worker, who makes (at least) half a dozen impossible decisions before lunchtime.' - Rachel Wooller, Community Care 'Terrence O'Sullivan's work provides a timely focus on decision making, as we seek ways to embrace research findings and risk management concepts more fully into professional practice. It will be particularly valued by social workers undertaking their Post Qualifying Award, who are seeking a theoretical framework for decision making to underpin and develop their practice.' - Brian Taylor, Northern Health and Social Services Board, Northern Ireland '[T]his book is definitely a significant contribution to social work literature, and is written with clarity and a lucid style, without over-simplification. Readers will find the decision-making framework that Terence O'Sullivan has developed, instrumental in helping them arrive at a sound decision. It will undoubtedly be essential reading to a wide audience including students in the health and social care fields, academics, frontline social workers and managers.' - Chui Wing Hong, Asia Pacific Journal of Social Work 'Decision making, with all its associated perils, is such a fundamental part of social work practice that it is remarkable that it has not received more attention in the social work literature. Decision-Making in Social Work provides a comprehensive analysis of the subject, which re-emphasises the skill of the social worker, who makes (at least) half a dozen impossible decisions before lunchtime.' - Community Care

Book Description

Decision-making is a core skill and a requirement for qualification, but it is difficult to learn. This book provides readers with a coherent easy access framework for effective decision making

Edition details

• Publisher: Palgrave
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 0333684818
• ISBN 13: 9780333684818
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 216