·In what ways is counselling relevant to contemporary social work?
·How do counselling skills integrate with social work roles and responsibilities?

This book examines these skills and their applicability, drawing from social work and counselling theories and methods using clear, practical examples. Skills are discussed with reference to social work knowledge and values illustrating how, when used competently, contextually and sensitively they can appropriately underpin good social work practice. Questions and activities for self development are linked to the practices discussed.

This new edition of Counselling Skills in Social Work Practice has been thoroughly revised to reflect the National Occupational Standards for social work which identify the importance of communication skills and a developmental understanding of people in their social contexts. The chapters are linked to the six key roles for social work practice.

This book builds on the strengths of the first edition, as well as addressing the challenges of practice in relevant legislative and policy contexts. The book includes:

·Evidence of how the competencies which underpin counselling practice are directly transferable to effective social work practice
·Practical advice on communication skills
·Examples of how to build effective working relationships; a whole chapter is now devoted to the specific skills required for working within inter-agency and multi-disciplinary teams

This book is key reading on the subject of ethical and effective social work for those teaching, studying or practising in the field.

Janet Seden is a Lecturer in the School of Health and Social Welfare at The Open University where she chairs the course Managing Care and was part of a team which produced Communication and Relationships in Health and Social Care. She has worked as probation officer, children and families field social worker, social worker /manager in a family centre, counsellor and counsellor/trainer and supervisor. She has also published on managing care, the assessment of and provision of services for children and their families, social work processes, children and spirituality and practice teaching. Recent publications include; Family Assistance Orders and The Children Act 1989 in the International Journal of Law, Policy and the Family (2001) Underpinning Theories for The Assessment of Children in Need and their Families in Approaches to Needs Assessment in Children's Services (2002). She authored a literature review for Studies informing the development of the Assessment Framework for Children in Need and their Families (Department of Health 2001). Most recently she has contributed book chapters to The Developing World of the Child (Department of Health, The Open University, NSPCC and Royal Holloway College, 2004, forthcoming).

Preface
Counselling skills and social work: a relationship
Counselling skills for communication
Assessing: relevant counselling skills
Planning, acting and providing a service: relevant counselling skills
Supporting service user choice and advocacy: relevant counselling skills
Managing risk and working together: relevant counselling skills
Practice within organizations: relevant counselling skills
Developing professional competence: relevant counselling skills
References
Index