'The process of engaging in an assessment should be therapeutic and perceived of as part of the range of services offered.' This DOH view acknowledges that assessment is more than an administrative task, a form of gatekeeping for resources or a means of determining risk. It confirms the need for assessment and intervention to be conceptualised as part of a continuum of contact between social worker and service user. This essential book, acclaimed in its first edition, offers social workers an extensively revised, restructured and updated, comprehensive guide to empowering practice for them and the people with whom they work. It: takes account of the latest legislative and policy requirements of English law, but also provides significant learning opportunities for practitioners in all parts of the UK; will help qualified or student social workers improve their practice by addressing national occupational standards guidance and embracing government expectations and the regulatory requirements of the General Social Care Council; is geared towards the needs of those on graduate training courses, PQ students, as well as for a range of in-service training in voluntary or statutory social work and social care; combines the two practice elements of assessment and intervention in a unique integrated way consistent with anti-oppressive practice and the foundational values and skills of modern psycho-social practice; is an accessible, practice-oriented guide to contemporary social work in the developing modernising context of multi-disciplinary team working, joint budget arrangements, inter-agency collaboration and social inclusion; addresses the need to deliver high quality care while managing the dilemmas presented by budget constraints and difficult decisions regarding rationing of human and physical resources. Using case illustrations, evidence based guidance, and practical activities combined with extensive references, this valuable learning resource will help students, practitioners, managers, trainers and policy-makers to synthesise social work knowledge and theory to provide holistic support and effective services.

"Essential Skills of Social Work Practice: Assessment, Intervention, and Evaluation, third edition, by Thomas O'Hare, PhD, MSW, is written for advanced BSW and beginning MSW students who intend to work primarily in the mental health field. The book consists of three parts. Part I covers foundation concepts, including linkages among assessment, intervention, and evaluation; the relationship between research and practice; and essential ethics in social work practice. Part II addresses essential practice skills used throughout social work practice: supportive and relationship-building skills, cognitive-behavioral skills, and case management skills. Part III describes how these essential skills are combined as evidence-based practices targeting specific problems and disorders, including major mental illnesses, substance abuse and personality disorders, couples in conflict, and both internalizing and externalizing disorders in children and adolescents. The chapters focusing on disorders of children and adolescents emphasize family-based interventions. The final chapter addresses the profession's transition to evidence-based practices and related challenges given that their adoption is now expected in professional mental health practice"--

The second edition of the Impact Evaluation in Practice handbook is a comprehensive and accessible introduction to impact evaluation for policy makers and development practitioners. First published in 2011, it has been used widely across the development and academic communities. The book incorporates real-world examples to present practical guidelines for designing and implementing impact evaluations. Readers will gain an understanding of impact evaluations and the best ways to use them to design evidence-based policies and programs. The updated version covers the newest techniques for evaluating programs and includes state-of-the-art implementation advice, as well as an expanded set of examples and case studies that draw on recent development challenges. It also includes new material on research ethics and partnerships to conduct impact evaluation. The handbook is divided into four sections: Part One discusses what to evaluate and why; Part Two presents the main impact evaluation methods; Part Three addresses how to manage impact evaluations; Part Four reviews impact evaluation sampling and data collection. Case studies illustrate different applications of impact evaluations. The book links to complementary instructional material available online, including an applied case as well as questions and answers. The updated second edition will be a valuable resource for the international development community, universities, and policy makers looking to build better evidence around what works in development.

Social workers are increasingly faced with the demands of evaluating their own programs and practice to maintain accountability to funding agencies, secure funding, and remedy a number of social problems facing our society. One of the nine basic competencies required by the social work accreditation agency is to be able to conduct evaluations. Evaluation is a critical area of practice for demonstrating accountability to clients, communities, numerous other stakeholders, and funding and regulatory agencies. Social Work Evaluation, Third Edition, offers a straightforward guide to a broad range of social work evaluations at both the program and practice levels. Author James R. Dudley's seven-step approach to evaluation makes use of qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods to provide oversight and address important issues at the planning, implementation, and outcome stages of a program or practice intervention. His unique focus on involving clients in the evaluation process ensures that social workers consistently improve their capacity to impact their clients' well-being and remain accountable to them and others they serve. Case examples from the extensive evaluation experience of the author and others illustrate a wide range of logic-based methods discussed throughout the text for real-world application. This comprehensive text effectively aims to enhance student and practitioner skill sets to meet these demands of a changing field.

This engaging text takes an evenhanded approach to major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and builds a bridge from them to evaluation practice. Featuring helpful checklists, procedural steps, provocative questions that invite readers to explore their own theoretical assumptions, and practical exercises, the book provides concrete guidance for conducting large- and small-scale evaluations. Numerous sample studies—many with reflective commentary from the evaluators—reveal the process through which an evaluator incorporates a paradigm into an actual research project. The book shows how theory informs methodological choices (the specifics of planning, implementing, and using evaluations). It offers balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Useful pedagogical features include: *Examples of large- and small-scale evaluations from multiple disciplines. *Beginning-of-chapter reflection questions that set the stage for the material covered. *"Extending your thinking" questions and practical activities that help readers apply particular theoretical paradigms in their own evaluation projects. *Relevant Web links, including pathways to more details about sampling, data collection, and analysis. *Boxes offering a closer look at key evaluation concepts and additional studies. *Checklists for readers to determine if they have followed recommended practice. *A companion website with resources for further learning.

Over thirty years of input from instructors and students have gone into this popular research methods text, resulting in a refined ninth edition that is easier to read, understand, and apply than ever before. Using unintimidating language and real-world examples, it introduces students to the key concepts of evidence-based practice that they will use throughout their professional careers. It emphasizes both quantitative and qualitative approaches to research, data collection methods, and data analysis, providing students with the tools they need to become evidence-based practitioners.

While ego psychological theory still holds a pre-eminent position in clinical social work practice, the field has changed in many ways. This revised edition addresses these major changes, bringing the reader up to date.

The second edition of this comprehensive text for MSW and BSW students studying family violence is fully reorganized for improved flow of information, is substantially revised, and is updated to reflect current scholarship and practice. Focusing on child abuse and maltreatment, intimate partner violence (IPV), and older adult abuse, the book covers assessment procedures and evidence-based treatments used by social workers with victims and perpetrators of all age groups and of both genders. It provides expanded information on agencies advocating on behalf of children including child advocacy centers, guardians ad litem, and court-appointed special advocates as well as child welfare laws and policies. The textbook provides updated information related to IPV and vulnerable/at-risk populations including sex trafficking victims, veterans, and male victims. The second edition also features more in-depth theoretical information integrated with case studies, and new information regarding technological issues and criminal justice reform. The authors address assessments and interventions for adult victims of family violence, adult survivors of child abuse, child witnesses of domestic violence, adolescent victims of dating violence, older adult victims of abuse, and both male and female perpetrators of abuse. The text encompasses several features that make it particularly useful in the classroom, including real-life case studies in every chapter, key terms, and discussion questions. An updated and robust instructor package includes a fully revised Test Bank and more detailed PowerPoints. New to the Second Edition: Aligns with 2015 CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards Adds updated news articles to help stimulate discussion on chapter content Updated instructor package including fully revised Test Bank Updated and expanded PowerPoint presentations Expanded information in the child maltreatment section on child advocacy centers, guardians ad litem, and court-appointed special advocates A new child maltreatment case example and SMART plan Updated child welfare laws and policies Expanded coverage of safety planning and protection orders for IPV victims New coverage of IPV and sex trafficking Expanded coverage of IPV with male victims and their female perpetrators Coverage of multiple vulnerable and at-risk populations Use of pet therapy and service dogs for IPV in military Updated material on causation of older adult abuse Inclusion of instrument to screen for maltreatment Expanded chapter on assessment and intervention of older adult abuse Example of a possible risk assessment for older adults

Accountability to stakeholders is essential for program funding and policy development. It is increasingly the responsibility of all professionals to provide evidence supporting the relevance and effectiveness of their programs and individual practices. Social Work Evaluation is a straightforward guide to conducting evaluations during the planning, implementation, and outcome stages of programs and practices. Dudley has developed a seven step process for evaluations using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods. This comprehensive book offers students the knowledge and skills to play a more accountable role in the future of their profession.