People skills - Neil Thompson

Significantly expanded, yet still supremely clear and accessible, the third edition of People Skills is an essential guide to the basic knowledge and skills needed for effective practice in the 'people professions' - that is, those occupations that involve dealing with people and their problems. It covers an extensive range of topics underpinning the work of a wide variety of staff, identifying key issues of concern to students, practitioners and managers.

The book is divided into three parts. Part I stresses the importance of personal effectiveness skills, while Part II concentrates on the skills involved in personal interactions. Part III has as its focus the skills of intervention - agreeing what needs to be done and taking the necessary steps to make it happen. A central feature of the book is its emphasis on the need for issues of equality and diversity to be integrated into all aspects of practice.

This thoroughly revised edition includes six entirely new chapters on:

- Being creative
- Being realistic
- Leadership
- Multidisciplinary working
- Risk assessment
- Responding to trauma


It is essential reading for everyone working, or training to work, with people and their problems and will be invaluable in such diverse fields as health care; social work and social care; community and youth work; criminal justice; counselling, pastoral care and advice work; as well as management, supervision and human resources.