Rural social work: International Perspectives (BASW/Policy Press titles) - Hardcover

Pugh, Richard; Cheers, Brian

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1861347219 ISBN 13: 9781861347213

Publisher: Policy Press, 2010

Synopsis

In much of the West the concerns of rural people are marginalised and rural issues neglected. This stimulating book draws upon a rich variety of material to show why rural social work is such a challenging field of practice. It incorporates research from different disciplines and places to provide an accessible and comprehensive introduction to rural practice.  The first part of the book focuses upon the experience of rurality. The second part of the book turns to the development of rural practice, reviewing different ways of working from casework through to community development. This book is relevant to planners, managers and practitioners not only in social work but also in other welfare services such as health and youth work, who are likely to face similar challenges.

About this title

Review:

This book is timely for two reasons: first our greater understanding of the benefits of learning across social work contexts - the UK, Australia and North America. Second, the greater interest in local assessment of need, community profiles, decentralisation and place-shaping. Rural social work practice is rising up the education, training and research agenda; this text provides its champions and novices with stimulating and evidence-based ideas and information. Jill Manthorpe, Professor of Social Work, King's College London.

...a well organized and accessible volume discussing the intricacies and sometimes contradictions of rural services. As the world gets flatter", let us not forget those politically and socially isolated populations who are still struggling to function within their chosen communities.... Pugh and Cheers have written with the authority of personal experience in the field and with a great deal of empathy for those our fast moving work appears to be leaving by the wayside. This book will be an excellent and necessary guide for practitioners and students of the rural field." Emilia E. Martinez-Brawley, John F. Roatch Distinguished Professor and Professor of Social Work, Arizona State University, USA

Synopsis:

Most industrialised countries continue to have significant rural populations yet, in most rural social work remains an under-recognised and under-researched aspect of welfare. As a consequence, the needs of rural people are often neglected or poorly met. This book provides a wide-ranging review of existing writing and research on rural social services and explores some of the distinctive features of rural contexts and rural problems.The first international review of rural social work theory and practice, the book shows how existing theory and practice often assumes an urban context. The authors discuss the importance of local social context in understanding and responding to social and personal problems and examine how the social dynamics of small communities influence the development and delivery of services. Using examples from around the world the book illustrates how social welfare services to rural and remote communities can be effectively developed to meet local circumstances and local needs. It will be invaluable for students, practitioners and managers working in rural areas.

About this edition

• Publisher: Policy Press
• Publication date: 2010
• ISBN 10: 1861347219
• ISBN 13: 9781861347213
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1
• Number of pages: 288