Social work in the 21st century is facing great change and upheaval in a period of Government austerity measures. From worsening pay rates to limited resources, these are increasingly challenging times in which social workers practice. It is therefore important that social work students are prepared for the realities of working within the modern social care system - that they have the tools and skills to care for themselves, and not just others.

This book is a straightforward guide on how to cope with the stress and pressures of today's social work environment by developing the right skills and knowledge. It will help students learn from a very early stage how to be at their best; from developing strategies to look after themselves and making the best use of supervision to the support they need to dealing with bullies and/or difficult people - all essential guidance on how to improve their health and mental wellbeing and prepare them to manage the challenges they will face.

About the Author
Jim Greer left a career in Local Government auditing to become a volunteer on Community Service Volunteer's Independent Living Scheme, an invaluable experience which gave him insight into the lived experience of service users and the reality of being a full time carer. Since qualifying Jim worked initially as a generic social worker, before specialising in adult mental health and subsequently being promoted to Team Manager. More recently Jim worked as a Project Manager, for a Regional Improvement and Efficiency Partnership, responsible a number of projects which applied new technologies in social care. Jim has also taught psychology, social care and social work for a number of years, sometimes in parallel with other roles. He is currently Principal Lecturer in Social Work Teesside University. He is a member of the British Psychological Society and promotes the value of psychological and scientific approaches in social work education. He also utilises his experience in finance and service improvement in the teaching of organisational issues. He combines his academic duties with other roles including social work course endorsement and being a standing member of a committee of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

Reviews

Social work is not an easy profession: . Jim Greer's book provides an excellent review of this area, which will be essential reading for all those wanting to build a long-lived career. It combines a thorough review of the evidence with practical exercises and examples that make this much more than a textbook - it is more like a survival manual. I would recommend it to any student or social worker.

-- Donald Forrester
The world is never how it should be or how we want it to be, but this book helps in getting through.

-- Chris Yuill
This book is a 'must-read' for anyone involved in people-work. Its contents are both a challenge and a gift to busy overstretched practitioners.

-- Bernard Moss



Book Information
ISBN 9781473919174
Author Jim Greer
Format Paperback
Page Count 184
Imprint Sage Publications Ltd
Publisher Sage Publications Ltd
Weight(grams) 330g