Social Work With Young People

Chapter by chapter, the book introduces the reader to the challenges and potential of working with a range of groups, such as offenders, young people with disabilities, teenage parents, and young asylum seekers and refugees. The book explains clearly the current policies and organizational frameworks which shape social work practice. At the same time, it recognizes that effective social work practice is about much more than simply meeting guidelines, and gets to grips with the day-today realities of working with young people.

Throughout, case studies are used to encourage readers to reflect on the people and situations they might encounter. In addition, each chapter includes an easy-to-follow summary, questions and annotated suggestions for additional reading – all written with the aim of stimulating readers’ professional development.

Social Work with Young People will be essential reading for social work students at undergraduate, postgraduate and post-qualifying level. It will also appeal to anyone who cares about developing a social work practice agenda with young people which is rooted in the principles of social justice.

Part I. Young People: Who are they and what are they like?.

Chapter 1: Who are we talking about? Young people and their changing lives.

Chapter 2: Why are young people seen as a social problem?.

Chapter 3: Looking at things from young people’s perspective.

Part II. Social Work and Young People: Contexts and Practice.

Chapter 4: The relationship between ideas and practice.

Chapter 5: Care or control? Balancing responsibilities.

Chapter 6: Young people’s experiences and expectations of social work.

Part III. Meeting the Challenge: Working Effectively with Young People.

Chapter 7: Starting from where young people are.

Chapter 8: Dealing with risk.

Chapter 9: Social Inclusion, Young People and the Role of Social Work.

Chapter 10: Towards effective practice