Direct work

Direct work with children and young people is at the heart of effective social work. But what counts as direct work? Is it the undertaking of certain tasks with a child, or building a relationship that matters most? Is it more about what is done with a child, or how it is done? Is it a set of planned activities or spontaneous approaches? 

This book explores the commitment and skill involved in listening to, understanding and being there on a regular basis that, time and again, is demanded by young people in care. It tackles the professional skills and techniques needed to safeguard and promote children's welfare, the emotional and psychological world of the child in care and the wide range of different settings for direct work with children.

Direct work includes contributions from a diverse range of practitioners, researchers and educators. They present a variety of perspectives on direct work, illustrated with moving and imaginative examples.

This book is for all social workers with responsibility for children and young people in the care system. It offers invaluable guidance and is an essential text for new social workers and students.

This book is available for free to CoramBAAF members from the members’ area of the website or purchased below.

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