Modern Social Work Theory

by Malcolm Payne

Overview

Modern Social Work Theory is a worldwide best-seller renowned for its masterly overview and measured critique which come together to offer a complete and authoritative introduction to theories of social work practice. It draws on literature from across the world to trace the origins of social work ideas and how they develop, as well assessing their role and value based on scholarly debate and research.

Compact and clearly structured, the book breaks down key issues in a way that is easy for students to grasp. As with the previous edition, the book is composed of two parts: Part I presents a general discussion about the place of social work theory in practice, while Part II reviews groups of related theories, from psychodynamic perspectives to ideas about humanism, existentialism and spirituality. Within Part II, each chapter has been significantly developed to follow a common structure which supports navigability and reflects the likely manner in which students will approach the text.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781352011081
Publisher:	Bloombury Academic
Publication date:	11/03/2020
Edition description:	5th ed. 2021
Pages:	568
Product dimensions:	6.61(w) x 9.45(h) x (d)

About the Author

Malcolm Payne holds honorary professorial posts with Manchester Metropolitan University, where he was for many years professor and head of Applied Community Studies, and Kingston University London, UK. He worked as a social worker and manager in probation and child and adult social care, and in community mental health and residential care development in local and national voluntary organizations.

Most recently he was director of psychosocial and spiritual care and policy and development advisor for St Christopher's Hospice, London. He has also worked in social work education in the UK, Finland, Poland, and Slovakia. His publications include articles and papers on practice and theory in social work, on teamwork in interprofessional practice, and on practice and research in end-of-life care. Among his other books are Humanistic Social Work, What is Professional Social Work?, Citizenship Social Work with Older People, and (edited with Emma Reith-Hall) The Routledge Handbook of Social Work Theory (2019).

Table of Contents

PART 1: Thinking about social work theory
1. The social construction of social work theory
2. Evaluating social work theory
3. Connecting theory and practice

PART 2: Reviewing social cohesion theories
4. Psychodynamic relational practice
5. Psychodynamic attachment practice
6. Crisis and task-centred practice
7. Cognitive-behavioural practice
8. Motivational interviewing
9. Systems, complexity and chaos

PART 3: Reviewing empowerment theories
10. Macro practice, social development and social pedagogy
11. Social construction practice: strengths and solutions
12. Social construction practice: narrative practice
13. Humanistic practice, existentialism and spirituality
14. Social justice, advocacy and empowerment

PART 4: Reviewing social change theories
15. Critical practice
16. Eco practice
17. Feminist practice
18. Anti-oppressive, Indigenous and multicultural sensitivity practice

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

This text is a tour de force! The new edition is impressive in its scope and consistent application of a social construction perspective. The increased use of diagrams and case illustrations will help students to access some important and complicated aspects of theory.' – Joan Orme, University of Glasgow, UK

'A wonderful resource for students, practitioners, and academics. The new edition is comprehensive and has been brought right up to date, providing clear explanations of the breadth of theories social work has engaged with over time.' – Sarah Wendt, UNISA, Australia

'A really thoroughly revised and updated edition of what is probably the best known and certainly the longest-running UK text on social work theory.' – Chris Beckett, University of East Anglia, UK

'I regard Payne's Modern Social Work Theory as a classic and the best of its type. It not only covers theories well for new social workers but is an excellent refresher for more seasoned academics.' – Jan Fook, Kingston University, UK