Advocacy and social work practice - Tom Wilks

"This is a welcome contribution that introduces the important aspects of advocacy and social work practice. It will be particularly useful to readers who are committed to developing their knowledge and understanding of advocacy and social work ... There is a strong focus on practical skills that will help practitioners take forward their advocacy role."
Jane Boylan, Director of Social Work Studies, Keele University, UK and Jane Dalrymple, Senior Lecturer, University of the West of England, UK

Skills in advocacy are essential for every social work student and practitioner. This accessible book provides an introduction to advocacy, examining the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to undertake advocacy roles and work constructively with the growing number of independent advocates.

Beginning with the historical background to advocacy and its place within social work, the book explores different definitions and understandings of advocacy and explores a range of practice models, presenting a multi-dimensional model as an analytic framework. The book also includes:

• A range of practical examples from a variety of different settings, linking theory and practice
• A strong focus on skills, with specific strategies for presenting a case effectively and assertive negotiation
• Coverage of the current practice context, including statutory advocacy roles and the impact of personalisation on advocacy

The second part of the book focuses on practice and looks at process models of advocacy and how advocacy fits with social work methods and theories of intervention. Finally, the book examines a range of issues which will impact on the future of advocacy.

Advocacy and Social Work Practice is ideal for social work students and is also suitable for a wide range of practitioners who are either undertaking advocacy roles or working with independent advocates to achieve the best outcome for a client.