Social worker. You're a helping hand, a rock in the tempest, a friendly face through the hard times, and a catalyst for change. But what about you? How do you keep going when the pressure just keeps rising?
In this no-nonsense handbook, Neil Thompson and John McGowan distil years of social work expertise into key strategies to overcome the challenges that come with the profession. Each chapter is full of clear, practical advice on staying resilient in the face of tough situations, whether they're political, social, or economic. Handy frameworks and expert advice will strengthen your practice and give you a solid structure to build on, helping you fulfil your potential as a social worker and provide better support for your clients.
Social work is tough, but with the guidance and support in this book you can learn to tackle the challenges and thrive as a force for change.

Neil has 45 years of experience in the caring professions as a practitioner, manager, educator, writer and adviser. He has won awards for his work, including a Lifetime Achievement Award from BASW Cymru. He is renowned for his ability to express complex ideas clearly without oversimplifying them and for making theory relevant to practice.
John McGowan MSc, BA, BSc, DipSW, FRSA is a social worker, lecturer, and the General Secretary of the Social Workers' Union. He has 25 years of experience as a social worker in the field of Children and Families, Fostering and Adoption and as a training officer and practice teacher. John's experiences with social work started with his parents, who were active foster carers in Edinburgh and fostered over 100 children.