Effective Advocacy in Social Work

What is Advocacy and How Do We Use it in Social Work? Contextualising Social Work Advocacy Reclaiming Advocacy in Contemporary Social Work Advocacy Skills Participation and Partnership Advocacy Across the Life Course Representation and Complaints Independent Advocacy Conclusion: Developing a Culture of Advocacy

A stimulating and accessible book written by two experienced and respected authors who have a considerable wealth of knowledge and practice experience within the area of advocacy and social work. The concept of advocacy is fully explored and interrogated. The authors develop a convincing argument as to why advocacy should be recognised as an important feature of contemporary social work. The book contains interesting and diverse case scenarios, vignettes and narratives, which enliven the text as well as highlight the relationship between theory and practice. Thought provoking 'discussion questions' at the end of each chapter provides the stimulus for the reader to critically reflect on what they have read. This text makes a valuable contribution to the development of practice, which engages with service users and carers, promotes human rights and is justice orientated. -- Beverley Burke This text makes an important contribution to the repertoire of contemporary social work practice. Its call to reclaim advocacy and locate it at the heart of practice serves to foreground the voice of the service user and reinvigorate social work toward its social justice responsibilities. This timely and compelling mandate is adeptly communicated in this very readable book. -- Professor Charlotte Williams OBE