Social Work Practice in Health
An Introduction to Contexts, Theories and Skills
3rd Edition
Will be published approx. on 3. November 2026
318 pages
E-Book
978-1-040-94075-4 (ISBN)
Description
Health service practice requires diverse approaches and wide-ranging knowledge. This fully revised and expanded third edition draws on the expertise of leading researchers and practitioners to provide a guide to the disparate settings in which social workers are engaged, and the conceptual frameworks needed for effective practice.
The book includes three new chapters on: taking a human rights approach in restrictive settings; working with women and couples at the significant life stage of pregnancy, birth and infancy; and on working inclusively with families in mental health. Part I provides an overview of the social determinants of health, and discusses compassion in healthcare, neoliberalism, and indigenous approaches to health. Part II explores key areas of practice including trauma-informed practice, mental health, and aged care. Part III looks at politicised issues, and key reform agendas in the field including suicidal distress and refugee health, concluding with a consideration of health social work in regional, rural and remote settings.
Underpinning this book is a clear guide to assessment procedures, case management, strengths-based practices, and developing effective partnerships and collaboration. All this makes Social Work Practice in Health a key reference tool for students and practitioners of social work.
The book includes three new chapters on: taking a human rights approach in restrictive settings; working with women and couples at the significant life stage of pregnancy, birth and infancy; and on working inclusively with families in mental health. Part I provides an overview of the social determinants of health, and discusses compassion in healthcare, neoliberalism, and indigenous approaches to health. Part II explores key areas of practice including trauma-informed practice, mental health, and aged care. Part III looks at politicised issues, and key reform agendas in the field including suicidal distress and refugee health, concluding with a consideration of health social work in regional, rural and remote settings.
Underpinning this book is a clear guide to assessment procedures, case management, strengths-based practices, and developing effective partnerships and collaboration. All this makes Social Work Practice in Health a key reference tool for students and practitioners of social work.
More details
Edition
3rd edition
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Taylor & Francis Ltd
Target group
College/higher education
Product notice
Reflowable
Illustrations
8 Tables, black and white; 13 Line drawings, black and white; 3 Halftones, black and white; 16 Illustrations, black and white
ISBN-13
978-1-040-94075-4 (9781040940754)
Copyright in bibliographic data is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or its licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Book
approx. 11/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€191.50
Not yet published
Book
approx. 11/2026
3rd Edition
Routledge
€52.50
Not yet published
Person
Melissa Petrakis is an associate professor in social work at Monash University in Melbourne, Australia, and director of SWITCH Research Group. She is a senior research fellow with St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne's Mental Health Service and has over 30 years' experience in public health and mental health service provision, management and research.
Content
PART I: WHAT IS HEALTH SOCIAL WORK? ROLE, VALUES AND PRINCIPLES FOR PRACTICE 1.An introduction to health services practice and the social determinants of health 2.A Social Justice Perspective on the Bio-Psycho-Social-Spiritual Dimensions of Health 3.Neoliberal capitalism and its impact on individual and community health: Implications for critical social workers 4.Compassion in healthcare 5.Promoting and delivering a human rights approach: working in interdisciplinary emergency and crisis mental health settings 6.Shared Learning and Healing-Informed Practice: Social Work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples in Health PART II: HEALTH PRACTICE AND PRACTICE CONTEXTS 7.Trauma Informed Practice 8.Mental Health Social Work: Recovery-oriented Practice Engagement and Collaboration 9.The Postpartum Period: Psychosocial Insights from Social Work and Doula-Informed Care 10.Aged Care: Health, Assessments, In-Home Care and Residential Care 11.Engaging people with co-occurring mental health and substance use issues: practice principles and tools 12.Social Work Practice and People Living with Disability PART III: REFORM AGENDAS 13.Suicidal Distress and Social Work: Social Justice Practice Beyond a Risk Paradigm 14.Working Inclusively with Families in Mental Health - A Relational Recovery Approach 15.Bringing Whanau Ora to Health Social Work 16.Social Work in Health: Considerations for Refugee Health 17.Health social work in regional, rural, and remote settings: Responding to context
