
Facing the Challenges of Social Work in Australian Rural and Remote Communities
Juggling the Demands of Practice
Kate Parkinson(Editor)
Lived Places Publishing
Published on 21. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
202 pages
978-1-917503-96-9 (ISBN)
Description
How do social workers navigate the unique challenges of serving rural and remote communities?
Facing the Challenges of Social Work in Australian Rural and Remote Communities explores the unique experiences of living and working in rural and remote areas of Australia. This book delves into the difficulties posed by long distances, limited services, and insufficient support for vulnerable people and families within government policies and services that are developed in urban contexts. Social workers in these areas face similar struggles in accessing services, compounded by recruitment and retention challenges, practice limitations, and ethical dilemmas as they navigate being both part of and outside the community. While set in the Australian context, the book is relevant for other rural and remote settings.
Despite these challenges, small communities often demonstrate collective resilience during crises, such as natural disasters. This resilience provides opportunities for social workers to strengthen and build community capacity through a deeper appreciation of place, identity, and strengths-based practice. This book draws on decades of the authors' experiences and first-hand accounts of strength-focused practices that go beyond enhancing resilience to fostering flourishing communities.
Ideal for educators and students in social work programs, disability studies, social work practitioners, community development programs, and rural and remote education courses.
More details
Series
Language
English
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 12 mm
Weight
301 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-917503-96-9 (9781917503969)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Lesley Chenoweth | Daniela Stehlik
Facing the Challenges of Social Work in Australian Rural and Remote Communities
Juggling the Demands of Practice
E-Book
10/2025
1st Edition
Lived Places Publishing
€26.49
Available for download
Persons
Lesley Chenoweth, Professor Emeritus at Griffith University, a social work educator, researcher and policy activist in fields of disability, community development and collective impact.